Advice - am thinking of IVF

[Jessgirl]

Hi, I'm new (originally from TTC). I've been thinking about IVF and was wondering if anyone could tell me about where to get such info. I'm going to the Drs for blood test this Thurs (CD5) and again later this month and then DH will have to make appt but in the meantime, I was thinking about going to a private IVF clinic for their open evening. Am I rushing? I really don't know what to do.

 

[Arcanegirl]

What are your reasons for wanting to try IVF, do you have known ttc problems?

 

[Jessgirl]

Hi, no I don't have a known prob, its just that I'm nearly 35 and we've been trying for 11 months now... I'm just worried cos if there is a prob its going to take months to try and sort out...

Sorry, I just got AF today and am very very down.

 

[Arcanegirl]

IVF is such an invasive option, there are other alternatives that might work for you first.
I do think you are jumping the gun a bit to want to go straight to IVF.
When they do tests they will take into consideration your age.

 

[Jessgirl]

You're right, I've been trying to read up heaps. I think what I'm saying is whether it would be better to self refer myself to a clinic to undergo tests and checks to diagnose me rather than to do this on the NHS. What would you advise?

 

[Arcanegirl]

If you can afford to get the tests done privatley then definatlay go that route. It took me 9 months to get a referral to the ACU here.
Your gp can easily do the basics though so maybe try that first (my gp did these at 11 months so you might be lucky to get them done now)

 

[Jessgirl]

Can I ask, when you got referred to ACU, did they have to repeat the tests all over again?

 

[Arcanegirl]

Yea they did, everywhere i went to they did the basic tests again.
I got referred to a gyne first who did the same tests as the gp and SA, then referred to the ACU who did the same again then wanted to investigate more with a lap/hsg (i chose a lap)

 

[Jessgirl]

Thanks very much - I'm going to have to start researching into things. Although, we're not rich I started my "baby savings" last christmas just in case a year on I would need it for something besides buying furniture for a nursery. There are so many clinics in London and I'm not sure which one is good. But its the NHS for now until 2009.

Are you ok tho, you're mood is "worried".

 

[Arcanegirl]

Yea im fine, pg after 3 years ttc so natrual reaction is just worry all the time

 

[FJL]

You will definitely have to get tests done before you would be referred for IVF because they would have to try and find a reason that you're not getting pregnant.

If you aren't O'ing then it could be something as simple as clomid. If you have endo, ashermans or uterus problems then they will want to fix those as the chance of acheiving any kind of pregnancy with or without IVF wouldn't be good. If DH's sperm is the problem they have to find out what area is the prob. Seperating the good from the bad sperm might see you escaping IVF and doing IUI or AI instead.

There are so many different reasons why something isn't getting pregnant that the list really is too long to write!

I know that the period of testing is long and often drawn out before you get on the road to treatment, but you just have to hang out and wait, and know by doing that, that you're doing the best thing to help achieve a pregnancy in the end.

Best of luck to you.

 

[Millnsy]

Just wanted to share a slightly more positive experience of the NHS. Went to the GP in November 07 who sorted out all the initial tests (my bloods and referred DH to have his sperm analysis). All these tests came back "normal" and showed that I had OV'ed that month (Although looking at my own records that was my only 28 day cycle in 20 months of keeping records and I have now only ov'ed once on 3 months of clomid). Went back to the doctor in Jan / Feb and was referred to the fertility clinic straight away. First appointment was in May and I was prescribed clomid straight away.

The reason I was writing this was because my perception is that it hasn't taken too long to get in the system but now I have written it all out it looks like its taken ages!?!?!

Any way, as some as the other ladies have said, I wouldn't rush straight to go private, see how your local heath authority works for you first.
Good luck

 

[Jessgirl]

Thanks all, I'm off for first blood test tomorrow and I'm very excited - took day off work. I know this is just the first step but finally I feel that I might get to know a bit more and be able to help myself. I will be back to tell you all more after this cycle and what my GP recommends. She seems pretty encouraging so far.

 

[rachelle1975]

Hey Jess

Hope your tests went okay.

I'm in the London area too - we also had a good GP although DH and i are at separate practices. My GP was pretty speedy when it came to referring us for bloods and sperm analysis which was good and we got all tests done within a month of meeting her.

Has your other half got his appt sorted yet?

If you have a GP then i would definitely stick with the NHS for the moment so that you know where you are. If it comes down to a further referral for either you or your other half then your GP would prob be a good source of information re waiting times for IVF and also private/NHS clinics in the area. I know my local hospital which does the test does not do fertility so we would have to go to Kent to do that! There is a list of fertility clinics at the top of this forum so you could always see which ones were listed?

Fingers crossed and hope your results are in soon xx

 

[JASMAK]

Good luck with your tests, and I hope everything moves along quickly for you.