First fertility appointment tips

[her13]

Has anyone got any tips or advice what to expect at my first appointment please ? It's this Wednesday but I forgot I had been referred an my partner has now changed his mind about ttc ,I still think I should go? As I know these things can take so long with the nhs waiting etc, and I'm secretly hoping he will change his mind and I do think I need some investigations as we had been trying for a year up untill this month.

I would really like a laparoscopy as I've had a lot of pelvic inflammatory disease in the past and have a lot of pain still , but would I need to ask for that? I'm getting nervous as to what it's going to be like as I didn't have a very good RMC appointment last time and I know it's in the same department , gynaecology xxx thanks

 

[Clairabella]

Hi,
I hope your oh changes his mind about TTC. At our first apt they weighed us, discussed our TTC journey and how long we have been trying. Booked me in for bloods, oh for SA they also did an internal ultrasound on me at the apt.
Good luck xx

 

[her13]

Thank you wow well hopefully it'll be the same I thought it would just be a chat but ultrasound would be something to put mind at ease xxx

 

[lisey]

I would definitely still go as your OH could change his mind again next month and then it pushes all the appointments back which would be frustrating.
I think your OH would need to go with you though, they expected my OH to be there as they asked him medical history and lots of questions. At our first appointment they gave me forms to book HSG and pelvic scan and for OH to have a more detailed SA done (he had already had 2). From what I gathered the next step after that would have been a laparoscopy but I wasn't allowed one through the fertility department as I have a son already but I got it done through the gynae department due to pain (endometriosis). I would just ask if I was you and explain why you feel it would benefit you xx

 

[Blueflower]

If I were you I'd go to the appointment but tell them he couldn't make it. They usually do the blood test and semen analysis first but you could get your blood test out of the way. The only thing is that if that's all clear and you're ovulating ok, your OH might think the problem is with him and be even more reluctant to get the SA done. I had my blood test in April 2012 but my DH didn't get his SA done till the July which really delayed things and put us over the age limit for NHS treatment.

If your blood test is fine, I'd make sure he knows that there are several things that could be the matter for you whereas he only has to do one painless test. Also there could be nothing wrong with either of you. I've heard of a sperm count test you can buy from Boots and do at home. I don't know how reliable they are but if he does one of those first and its ok he might be less reluctant to do the proper test.

Good luck!

 

[her13]

thanks everyone just had my appointment it was quite quick really partner said he will do the semen anaylisis so ive got the pot for that lol and im having a hsg .... is that painful? probably be in 4 weeks. then il go back for another appointment and if all is normal they said to just keep trying as im young (24 in march) i thought you get ivf after two years which would be end of this year for me. im guessing thats only if you have problems with tubes ovulation etc? xxxx

 

[lisey]

That's good that your OH is willing the do the SA.
I didn't find the HSG painful but my tubes were clear so that might be why. I am not sure how IVF referrals work out but that seems like a bit of a fob off to me, if you have been trying two years, it shouldn't matter if you're 24 or 34. How frustrating. Did they not mention a laparoscopy or pelvic scan? xx

 

[her13]

Thanks Hun, I did feel that way too really . If my hsg comes back clear I might ask about ivf and who's entitled. Yeah I did feel he wasn't really taking me seriously as the appointment was really quick aswell. No there was no mention ofa. Scan or laparoscopy tbh I didn't think to mention it because they offered hsg and I thought maybe that would be as good as it. Looks like I will defiantly have to put up a fight for any further help xxx

 

[lisey]

They should be doing a pelvic scan to rule out simple things such as polyps and fibroids and obviously any cysts etc, on mine they also did AFC (antral follicle count) to basically see if I was producing enough follicles etc . Be pushy with them. Also, my advice would be to do a bit of research on entitlement to IVF on nhs website and NICE guidelines, see what the time of trying before moving on to IVF is and if there are age restrictions, if needed take the printouts with you and show them. Can you tell I have had to push for things lol x

 

[Blueflower]

Glad you OH is going to do the SA, phew!

I had an HSG and then the scan the following month. So they might offer you a scan once you've done the HSG. The HSG was painful for me but only because my cervix is quite shy and I was so stiff from keeping my legs flat while she poked around for ages that I was tense and so it hurt too much to put the tube in. But since having a hysteroscopy and IUI I know that they can get a tube in now so I'm more relaxed. Most people find it absolutely fine.

Good luck!

 

[her13]

Thanks you you do have to be pushy don't you lisey ! It's a shame really. Anyway I think I will take the printouts that's a good idea , as age for ivf starts from 23. I did have a feeling they might try fobbing me off, but il go all out at the next appointment!! but only good thing is at least I'm getting a hsg I guess, i don't think I'd be so worried if it weren't for previous infections and knowing how damaging they are .

Ahhh ok thanks blueflower perhaps will be the same for me then. Yes I was nervous he might say no to it! I think it's because your awake through hsg so made me apprehensive but yeah I'm sure it's fine and I'm just being a drama queen
How are you feeling ? Must still be abit shocked, really feel bad for you. Fingers crossed you can get back into ivf In a few months , I reckon ivf will work for you ! Will be so lovely to see you get your bfp this year xxx ( and of course you too lisey!)

 

[lisey]

Thanks hun and same to you. Keep us posted on how you go xx

 

[her13]

Hiya sorry for all the questions but I got my appointment through for the hsg it's on the 24th! Wasn't expecting it to be that quick I am due on my period around then so I will they still be able to do it if I'm bleeding? I might ring an ask but will be gutted if i have to cancel xxxxx

 

[lisey]

I don't think you can. I had to book mine on certain cycle days I think it was between cd10-15...I am guessing so the cervix is a little open, the same way they need it for a smear etc. That's weird that they just booked you in randomly x

 

[Blueflower]

Hiya sorry for all the questions but I got my appointment through for the hsg it's on the 24th! Wasn't expecting it to be that quick I am due on my period around then so I will they still be able to do it if I'm bleeding? I might ring an ask but will be gutted if i have to cancel xxxxx

They have to do it after AF has finished but before day 10.
I've just got an appointment for another one in the hope that if they can see that the blockage has cleared or isn't a hydrosalpinx then I won't need another laparoscopy. The HSG isn't pleasant but I'd rather have that then an anaesthetic and be cut open again!

 

[Blueflower]

Ahhh ok thanks blueflower perhaps will be the same for me then. Yes I was nervous he might say no to it! I think it's because your awake through hsg so made me apprehensive but yeah I'm sure it's fine and I'm just being a drama queen
How are you feeling ? Must still be abit shocked, really feel bad for you. Fingers crossed you can get back into ivf In a few months , I reckon ivf will work for you ! Will be so lovely to see you get your bfp this year xxx ( and of course you too lisey!)

Thank you! Yes when we went to the open day the Embryologist said that as we don't have any actual problems, just 'unexplained' infertility, we were ideal candidates for successful IVF! I'll have to hold onto that hope. Although DH pointed out that if I have both tubes removed and then IVF, there won't be any chance of getting pregnant naturally in the future.

 

[lisey]

There must be varied dates for different hospitals as mine didn't need to be done before day 10. I agree, far less invasive and painful than the laparoscopy x

 

[her13]

Thank you xxx I spoke to hospital and they said it's ok from cd3 as most people don't like it done on the first or second day due to heavyness and mess, still not on yet anyway... I think the main thing is they don't want you to be pregnant.. I did lie and say I have had no unprotected sex ..but we only used pull out method and I have done a test xxx

Blue flower that's great they said your an ideal a candiditate, try and focus on that you get three goes on the nhs I think don't you. My back up option is my sister as she said she would be a surrogate for me although I know it's not the same as being pregnant yourself, just helps stop that fear of what if I never have a child xxx

 

[Blueflower]

I'm too old for NHS unfortunately. And we'll have to wait till the Autumn when I'll be even older! But yes hopefully it will all go smoothly then.
Wow a surrogate, that would be amazing!

 

[her13]

Ivf abroad is cheaper isn't it I don't know how safe it is though. I just had my hsg this morning and it was absolutely awful I'm going to sound dramatic now but it honestly was the worse pain I've ever felt in my life more than my mcs and PID thing is I normally have a high pain threshold but as soon as the tube and dye went in I was shouting and crying and saying I can't do this, i nearly puked and fainted so had to stay In for a few hours and have oxygen mask on cos my blood pressure dropped and was sweating loads. I don't know why it was so bad for me! But no problems were found which was good, feel very awful now so will have to sleep it off I am on my period so don't know if that made things worse xxx