IVF and Fertility Treatments

1
Ouch said:
I was like a kid at Christmas on Friday when my period came because i knew it meant our first (and only NHS funded) round of IVF could start!

I went for my first internal ultrasound on Saturday (CD2) to check we were good to go and start the FSH injections. The nurse asked me whether I have endometriosis, I said I don't and I was wondering why she had asked whether I had endo; as if she'd read my mind she said said she could see a cyst on my right ovary. Then I remembered when I went for the ultrasounds during initial investigations the nurse said she could see a cyst and she wanted to get a second opinion, left for a few minutes and then came back saying it was fine and cysts can come and go and it's nothing to worry about. The nurse on Saturday said "that's fine, there will be notes from that scan so we'll take a look" Low and behold, first nurse didn't make any note of it at all. So they said they'd have to take bloods to check hormone levels so I should call back at 2pm.

I was quite shocked because in my mind as soon as my period came that was it, we were on our way! Anyway, after having to wait 4 hours for the results line to open to call for the results, I finally got through after re-dialing for half an hour because it was constantly engaged. They said that they advised against starting this month. I said that the doctor had kind of stressed the urgency because of my low AMH levels and she said "well you can go ahead if you want to, but the doctor has taken everything into consideration and advised that you don't go ahead this cycle so we've booked you in again for your next period" and kind of rushed me off the phone. I was so annoyed and upset. Why were they advising against it? What does the cyst mean and why will it affect the IVF process? Why didn't the nurse who found a cyst months ago make a note of it?! How do they know when my next period will be? How can they book me in until I've confirmed I've started bleeding? What if the cyst is still there again next month?

So yeah. Disappointing because i was feeling so excited and positive but ended up miserable and angry all weekend. I ended up taking out on my partner which he didn't deserve at all.

Oh well, roll on Feb!
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So sorry to hear that, a month feels very long when you are waiting to start
 
make-mine-whiskey said:
Hi All, we finally have a date for our first appt with the specialist! Any advice on what we can expect from the first appt? Thank you
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Hello, sorry you’re having to go through this but good news you’ve got your appointment through! At my first appointment the consultant went through the results of all the tests that we’d had done so far (bloods, HYCOSY, semen analysis) and what it meant for us (we have unexplained fertility). She discussed whether any further testing was required and what other vitamins/nutrients she would recommend us taking. She recommended mild IVF for us and explained why this was, what the process would be etc. She also answered our questions we had at that stage. We went away to think things through and wait for the patient liaison to email us our price package and once we had that we booked in to start treatment the following cycle. Hope that helps x
 
ScoutFinch said:
Hello, sorry you’re having to go through this but good news you’ve got your appointment through! At my first appointment the consultant went through the results of all the tests that we’d had done so far (bloods, HYCOSY, semen analysis) and what it meant for us (we have unexplained fertility). She discussed whether any further testing was required and what other vitamins/nutrients she would recommend us taking. She recommended mild IVF for us and explained why this was, what the process would be etc. She also answered our questions we had at that stage. We went away to think things through and wait for the patient liaison to email us our price package and once we had that we booked in to start treatment the following cycle. Hope that helps x
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Thank you so much that is very helpful! I've had all my bloods done and my husband had his semen analysis done (came back with 1% morphology so at least we know it's male factor I suppose) fingers crossed she will have pathway for us :)
 
So happy to have found this thread❤️

I wondered if any of you could help. I am in a same sex marriage and about to attend the fertility clinic. I have absolutely no idea what to expect, what will happen in the first appointment etc.

Can any of you share some of how your first appointment went?

Also once I am there, are there any reasons as to why they could say no?

Thank you, sending you all lots of luck ❤️
 
Angrysue_ said:
So happy to have found this thread❤

I wondered if any of you could help. I am in a same sex marriage and about to attend the fertility clinic. I have absolutely no idea what to expect, what will happen in the first appointment etc.

Can any of you share some of how your first appointment went?

Also once I am there, are there any reasons as to why they could say no?

Thank you, sending you all lots of luck ❤
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My wife and I are currently in the middle of IUI treatment so I can give you my experiences! I'll preface it with saying that as we're in Scotland we get 6 rounds of IUI on the NHS (and will then have the same IVF entitlement as straight couples if they don't work), so this will be from the perspective of someone doing it through the NHS and private clinics may be different.

We were referred in late September, and the first appointment we had was mid-November. This was via video chat as our clinic is 100 miles away from where we live, and here they went through basic health checks for the carrying partner, checked I had an up-to-date smear test, did a visual check of BMI, explained the next steps in the process and answered any questions we had. After this, we were referred to implications counselling, as we will be using donor sperm and this is a requirement of HFEA, and we were put on the list for a HyCoSy.

I had the HyCoSy last week and they were happy with everything they saw there. At this appointment they also did my height and weight to get an actual BMI, and this came out fine too so we're now on the waiting list for sperm donation and when we reach the top it will be IUI.

As we are NHS we have to fit the NHS referral criteria, so those are mostly the things that could have caused them to say no, as far as I know. So those are things like BMI has to be under 30, you can't smoke, they told me to stop drinking entirely, there are age limits. If you're private these may be different than NHS so it's worth checking those out if they have them online.

Hope it all goes well for you and your partner!
 
Starfishface said:
My wife and I are currently in the middle of IUI treatment so I can give you my experiences! I'll preface it with saying that as we're in Scotland we get 6 rounds of IUI on the NHS (and will then have the same IVF entitlement as straight couples if they don't work), so this will be from the perspective of someone doing it through the NHS and private clinics may be different.

We were referred in late September, and the first appointment we had was mid-November. This was via video chat as our clinic is 100 miles away from where we live, and here they went through basic health checks for the carrying partner, checked I had an up-to-date smear test, did a visual check of BMI, explained the next steps in the process and answered any questions we had. After this, we were referred to implications counselling, as we will be using donor sperm and this is a requirement of HFEA, and we were put on the list for a HyCoSy.

I had the HyCoSy last week and they were happy with everything they saw there. At this appointment they also did my height and weight to get an actual BMI, and this came out fine too so we're now on the waiting list for sperm donation and when we reach the top it will be IUI.

As we are NHS we have to fit the NHS referral criteria, so those are mostly the things that could have caused them to say no, as far as I know. So those are things like BMI has to be under 30, you can't smoke, they told me to stop drinking entirely, there are age limits. If you're private these may be different than NHS so it's worth checking those out if they have them online.

Hope it all goes well for you and your partner!
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Thank you so much for responding. This has put my mind at rest. We are in the North East of England and not sure how many tries we get but I was.most worried about my BMI🤣 But I think we should be ok.

I hope it all goes well for you too, very exciting but nervous time.
 
Starfishface said:
My wife and I are currently in the middle of IUI treatment so I can give you my experiences! I'll preface it with saying that as we're in Scotland we get 6 rounds of IUI on the NHS (and will then have the same IVF entitlement as straight couples if they don't work), so this will be from the perspective of someone doing it through the NHS and private clinics may be different.

We were referred in late September, and the first appointment we had was mid-November. This was via video chat as our clinic is 100 miles away from where we live, and here they went through basic health checks for the carrying partner, checked I had an up-to-date smear test, did a visual check of BMI, explained the next steps in the process and answered any questions we had. After this, we were referred to implications counselling, as we will be using donor sperm and this is a requirement of HFEA, and we were put on the list for a HyCoSy.

I had the HyCoSy last week and they were happy with everything they saw there. At this appointment they also did my height and weight to get an actual BMI, and this came out fine too so we're now on the waiting list for sperm donation and when we reach the top it will be IUI.

As we are NHS we have to fit the NHS referral criteria, so those are mostly the things that could have caused them to say no, as far as I know. So those are things like BMI has to be under 30, you can't smoke, they told me to stop drinking entirely, there are age limits. If you're private these may be different than NHS so it's worth checking those out if they have them online.

Hope it all goes well for you and your partner!
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If you’re going via GRI I can recommend them. My little girl was conceived at their clinic and we are now hoping to use our last embryo to try for a sibling
 
TheDuchess said:
If you’re going via GRI I can recommend them. My little girl was conceived at their clinic and we are now hoping to use our last embryo to try for a sibling
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I can vouch for GRI too, our little boy was conceived there last year after 7 years of TTC with unexplained infertility. Good luck 🤞🏼
 
Just had my first scan since starting all the meds and everything is looking good so fingers crossed for egg retrieval on maybe Monday and then transfer on Sunday week, after almost 4 years of trying it doesn't even feel real. Anyone else here had their egg retrieval? Would the day off be enough? Sometimes I do a bit of driving in work so would I be ok to drive the next day? Also what did ye tell your employers? I've no issue saying to other women we are trying and even that we having difficulty which is pretty obvious given the age gap between our first but not sure if telling them specifics is helpful, I feel like they will be watching out for me being pregnant then and if it doesn't work you feel like you have disappointed them
Also my boss is a man so might just say I am getting a tooth out :ROFLMAO:
 
Jennynotfromtheblock said:
Just had my first scan since starting all the meds and everything is looking good so fingers crossed for egg retrieval on maybe Monday and then transfer on Sunday week, after almost 4 years of trying it doesn't even feel real. Anyone else here had their egg retrieval? Would the day off be enough? Sometimes I do a bit of driving in work so would I be ok to drive the next day? Also what did ye tell your employers? I've no issue saying to other women we are trying and even that we having difficulty which is pretty obvious given the age gap between our first but not sure if telling them specifics is helpful, I feel like they will be watching out for me being pregnant then and if it doesn't work you feel like you have disappointed them
Also my boss is a man so might just say I am getting a tooth out :ROFLMAO:
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Glad your scan went well! I just took the day off for retrieval. I felt ok after, just a bit crampy for a few hours. I had OHSS which impacted me afterwards, but I do work from home so took it easy for a few days. If your job isn’t anything strenuous I think you’d be fine.

I just told work I was doing IVF. We have a specific policy that I wanted to make use of, but I’m friendly with my boss so felt comfortable telling her. I can imagine it’s different if it’s a man!
 
My bosses are men and I just told them, I get on really well with both of them and I trust them both. They were so understanding and flexible with any appointments i need to go to.

Going for my day 3 scan again tomorrow but not getting my hopes up after the disappointment of not being able to start the treatment last month. If nothing else, at least I'll be able to ask what this pesky cyst is and why it means we can't start treatment while it's there. Keeping my fingers crossed that we can start treatment tomorrow!
 
Ouch said:
My bosses are men and I just told them, I get on really well with both of them and I trust them both. They were so understanding and flexible with any appointments i need to go to.

Going for my day 3 scan again tomorrow but not getting my hopes up after the disappointment of not being able to start the treatment last month. If nothing else, at least I'll be able to ask what this pesky cyst is and why it means we can't start treatment while it's there. Keeping my fingers crossed that we can start treatment tomorrow!
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Hope your scan goes well tomorrow. Getting to start treatment would be great but then if you don't it's like well at least I don't have to deal with all the medication and appointments for this month

I had my next scan this morning and looks like it will probably be Wednesday now for my egg retrieval. I didn't say anything to my boss, feels like such a strange intimate thing to have to tell him, though I know he would be understanding anyway, just so awkward isn't it, so much easier for men
 
Jennynotfromtheblock said:
Hope your scan goes well tomorrow. Getting to start treatment would be great but then if you don't it's like well at least I don't have to deal with all the medication and appointments for this month

I had my next scan this morning and looks like it will probably be Wednesday now for my egg retrieval. I didn't say anything to my boss, feels like such a strange intimate thing to have to tell him, though I know he would be understanding anyway, just so awkward isn't it, so much easier for men
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Good Luck with the egg retrieval!

For me; telling my bosses was a huge weight off my mind and one less thing to worry about, but it's so personal. My partner hasn't told his boss because he's a bleeping nightmare, so nosey and unprofessional so in our case it works really well that the process is easier for men!
 
Ouch said:
Good Luck with the egg retrieval!

For me; telling my bosses was a huge weight off my mind and one less thing to worry about, but it's so personal. My partner hasn't told his boss because he's a bleeping nightmare, so nosey and unprofessional so in our case it works really well that the process is easier for men!
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how did your scan go after?
 
I started the treatment! I'm so proud of myself for
Jennynotfromtheblock said:
how did your scan go after?
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Excitingly I got to start my treatment! They can only see 3 follicles one on ovary so that was disappointing, but as they say; you only need one good egg!

I took my first dose of Gonal F when I got home on Saturday (I was terrified at first but my partner was away so I didn't really have any option that just to stab it in myself) and now feel like an expert at injecting my stomach with the FSH at an ungodly hour every morning.

I start antagonist injections on Wednesday which look a bit more of a faff and
The needles look HUGE compared to the pre-filled pen so I'm terrified about those
the next scan is on Saturday to check the follicles are growing OK so keeping fingers crossed.

Are you still on for Wednesday for your Egg Retrieval? Are you feeling OK about it?
 
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