Starting our ivf journey

[SugaryIris]

Hi Everyone,

A bit of background we’ve been trying for 18 months, I have PCOS and DH sperm is perfect.

The NHS gave us a sperm analysis and some basic blood tests on me and then referred us to a fertility clinic. The referral letter said our first appointment was free but we’d have to pay for any treatment after that so we’ve decided to go private.

I’ve got my first appointment with the clinic in 3 weeks time and they will give me an AMH blood test and take history etc we will then see the doctor a week later.

Can anybody tell me what to expect from the appointment and whether there is anything I should be asking?

 

[Kitana]

I don't have any info for you but I just wanted to wish you good luck! Hope they can help you soon!

 

[Sugarpop]

Hi Everyone,

A bit of background we’ve been trying for 18 months, I have PCOS and DH sperm is perfect.

The NHS gave us a sperm analysis and some basic blood tests on me and then referred us to a fertility clinic. The referral letter said our first appointment was free but we’d have to pay for any treatment after that so we’ve decided to go private.

I’ve got my first appointment with the clinic in 3 weeks time and they will give me an AMH blood test and take history etc we will then see the doctor a week later.

Can anybody tell me what to expect from the appointment and whether there is anything I should be asking?

I think you’re first appointment will be similar to mine. Basic history, jobs, smokers etc. They may also want to do their own semen analysis and may also order day 3 & 21 bloods.

If I were you I’d ask about next steps and what that entails. The fact that you haven’t had any treatment tells me they may opt for chlomid or letrozole before considering IVF as if they can get you ovulating, you’re chances will massively jump. To be honest, if I were you I would be asking about ovulation induction from tablets and be wanting that before IVF.

If chlomid works you can have 6 months of that and then the same of letrozole.

 

[SugaryIris]

I think you’re first appointment will be similar to mine. Basic history, jobs, smokers etc. They may also want to do their own semen analysis and may also order day 3 & 21 bloods.

If I were you I’d ask about next steps and what that entails. The fact that you haven’t had any treatment tells me they may opt for chlomid or letrozole before considering IVF as if they can get you ovulating, you’re chances will massively jump. To be honest, if I were you I would be asking about ovulation induction from tablets and be wanting that before IVF.

If chlomid works you can have 6 months of that and then the same of letrozole.

Yes that’s what I’m hoping for, some ovulation induction because i have had three cps and considering I don’t ovulate most months it suggests that the months I do we are quite lucky. I know they can be quite reluctant to give it to you sometimes though because of overstimulation which is high risk in pcos apparently. But we will see, I’m hoping I’ll get a bit more of a day because it’s private rather than nhs but I’m scared they might try to push the ivf because that’s the most expensive!

 

[Sugarpop]

If I were you I would tell them straight off the bat you are looking for stimulation. Chlomid is known to over stimulate but tbh it did 0 for me. You are also closely monitored with scans and blood tests and will only begin on a low dose. I think the pro’s of giving it a go probably out weigh the negatives. I’ve never known anyone on the forum to over stimulate other than one person. So good odds. Also letrozole is a lesser dose of chlomid so is an option. Ironically worked for me in the end (at the bitter end I might add!)

You’ve never tried it and it’s the most obvious thing to try first. It’s still relatively expensive but at the end of the day this is your care and you are paying for it too. It’s perfectly reasonable to want the tablets first and I think they need to respect that. If not, perhaps look at our clinics because I really believe anyone worth their wages would want the less invasive option if possible. Because you haven’t tried it yet you don’t know if it’s possibe.

 

[SugaryIris]

If I were you I would tell them straight off the bat you are looking for stimulation. Chlomid is known to over stimulate but tbh it did 0 for me. You are also closely monitored with scans and blood tests and will only begin on a low dose. I think the pro’s of giving it a go probably out weigh the negatives. I’ve never known anyone on the forum to over stimulate other than one person. So good odds. Also letrozole is a lesser dose of chlomid so is an option. Ironically worked for me in the end (at the bitter end I might add!)

You’ve never tried it and it’s the most obvious thing to try first. It’s still relatively expensive but at the end of the day this is your care and you are paying for it too. It’s perfectly reasonable to want the tablets first and I think they need to respect that. If not, perhaps look at our clinics because I really believe anyone worth their wages would want the less invasive option if possible. Because you haven’t tried it yet you don’t know if it’s possibe.

Thank you so much for taking the time to reply. It’s definitely what I’m going to ask for! I’d really much prefer to be able to take a tablet instead of anything invasive x

 

[SugaryIris]

Sugar, I hope you don’t mind me asking but were your periods regular? And if not did you try to track ovulation?

I don’t always ovulate and when I don’t I get a never ending supply of almost positives (or flashing smiley faces) but never a peak and I find it really depressing knowing I haven’t ovulated that month!

 

[Sugarpop]

I would regularly have a 35 day cycle ish. They were always between 32-38 days most cycles with the odd one being horrific. I was having periods but I wasn’t ovulating regularly.

Ovulation sticks don’t work for me as I would get a + and then a blood test would confirm I hadn’t ovulated.

 

[SugaryIris]

I would regularly have a 35 day cycle ish. They were always between 32-38 days most cycles with the odd one being horrific. I was having periods but I wasn’t ovulating regularly.

Ovulation sticks don’t work for me as I would get a + and then a blood test would confirm I hadn’t ovulated.

Oh thats interesting that you would get positive opks and still hadn’t ovulated. I don’t get positive normally only ever had one and we caught that month.

My cycles vary from 28-64 days! It’s an absolute nightmare!

Would the tablets you were talking about regulate my cycle more?

 

[Sugarpop]

Yes they should. I never ovulated at day 14ish but I did religiously around 18-20 whilst on letrozole.

The tablets will make you ovulate or Atleast that’s what they are for. Chlomid did nothing for me but letrozole obviously worked.