Appointment with fertility specialist - help needed!

[MarsMaiden]

Hello, I am new here but these forums have been invaluable to me over my time ttc calming my nerves and giving me information. So I'm hoping now that you guys might be able to help me with a more specific query and give me some advice to prepare me for my appointment with the fertility specialist next week.

DH and I have been ttc for 20 months now, this will be our first child. I'm 31 and he is 34. The only tests we have had done so far are a cd21 test for me and a SA for DH, both normal. I have had one appointment with the fertility specialist where all he did was say that the tests so far showed no reason for our struggle to concieve and referred me for an HSG. I had my HSG which was clear.

As far as I am aware from what he told me at my first appointment we will now be referred for IUI which we will get four goes at under the NHS which it seems will run over 12 months and then if we still have not conceived by the start of the 3rd yr of trying that we will then be referred for IVF which we get one go of.

So my question is:

Are there any other tests that I should be asking for? (I have heard people talk about a cd3 test? lap and dye?)
I have never been offered any medication, is this something I should be asking about (clomid etc?) My cd21 test was normal but since then I have had about four cycles that only lasted 23 days...
Is the year of IUI the only option available to me? Is there something else I should be asking for?

I really am flapping about in the dark with all this at the moment and would really like to go this appointment prepared to make sure that I am getting all the help I can and to ensure that I am being referred down the most appropriate treatment route so any thoughts anyone can give me would be most appreciated!

 

[JASMAK]

If everything is clear on you (and yes, I would get CD tests) then I would try a couple rounds of Clomid.

 

[BigFoot1980]

Hello and Welcome!
Some Doctors do prescribe Clomid when a woman is ovulating on her own but then there are some who don't. I think while waiting for your IUI Clomid might not be a bad idea. However I tried to get Clomid but my FS didn't prescribe any.


As for the Lap & Dye test well basically it also checks tubes like in an HSG but its more detailed and checks for other problems too. I think if Doctors suspects PCOS or endo, then they do a Lap & dye otherwise just HSG. But that's my understanding and I may be wrong.

I know when my FS talked about IUI and IVF, I felt like I needed more tests. Some how it seemed like they haven't done anything (I wasn't offered any medication either) but I guess they know what they are doing. However if your worried then discuss all your concerns with your FS and talk about what else can be done.


Hope you find some answers soon.

 

[beauty]

Yeah i would of thought trying you on clomid while maybe waitin for IUI might be a idea, dont see why not, might be worth mentioning it to F.S

I am on clomid, well start next cycle and got 3 months if not luck we gotta be referred to a F.S who then must go into more detailed re fertility treatment like IUI etc. However the tests we done so far is ultrasound (confirmed pcos), blood tests, cd21 and cd3 loads of other blood tests etc, oh done SA test and i had a HSG test done which confirmed clear tubes

I really would of thought they cud of ran or would of ran a HSG test before referring you to a F.S as its a simple prodecure.
Alot of ladies get given clomid even if they ovulate before being given any other fertility treatment as its a very cheap option..

A lap and dye i only ever thought they carried out if they thought you had endo or problems with your tubes etc ..

xx

 

[peekaboo]

Hi not really sure what to suggest as I'm in a similar position to you (going for follow up with FS next month). The tests we've had are: SA for hubby, CD3&21 test (this was done in the same cycle and I think one of them tests for progesterone levels and one tests LH levels to check for ovulation - might be wrong, but basically it's just to see if you're ovulating, but it sounds like you've had that confirmed anyway?), HSG and an internal ultrasound. The internal ultrasound is to test for abnormalities on the ovaries etc, and as far as I was aware, was one of the standard tests that a FS recommends. My FS mentioned that lap & dye is usually carried out only if there is a chance of PCOS, but maybe some carry it out as routine.

Sorry I can't offer any advice on clomid as that's something that's never been mentioned to us. Maybe it will be when we go back, but who knows.

So, maybe ask for the ultrasound before going any further? And don't be afraid to ask them if there are more tests you should have. As I said before we are going for our follow up soon too and I have decided I'm going to ask about everything I can think of! Good luck. xx

 

[DragonMummy]

Have you had the trans vag ultrasound? I had that and it picked up my pcos. It's not a horrid procedure either and is actually pretty fascinating...

 

[rachelle1975]

Hey hun

All my results came back okay and i've had an HSG and a transvaginal scan. I had another set of bloods for CD3 and 21 done again as we are due to start IVF and also HIV and Hep. I was never offered anything else as i don't have any issues regarding my fertility that are apparent.

My DH had a karotype test done on his blood - this detects chromosomal abnormalities but i believe this was done due to his low SA - might be worth asking about it though as it took 8 months for the results to come back!

Good luck - glad you get IUI offered as PCTs tend to vary so much xx

 

[MarsMaiden]

Thank you all so much! That's exactly the sort of information I was after. I will certainly push for clomid if I can and the ultrasound. At least now I know taht the lap and dye wouldn't be appropriate as I assume the HSG showing my tubes are clear would eliminate the possibility of PCOS?

In all honesty the doctor last time seemed a bit blase and hardly gave any information but this has given me the confidence to make sure I ask questions and at least a rough idea of what to ask about!

Is IUI before IVF a good option in unexplained infertility? If that is what my trust offers, do I get a choice? I've always thought in my head that I would rather go straight for IVF but does IUI have a fairly high success rate? Sorry for all the questions but this is so daunting! I am excited to think we might get some assistance in the next few months but scared as hell at the same time!

You are so lovely, thank you all again! It's great to hear from people in the same boat and know that I'm not the only one! xx

 

[lady blush]

Thank you all so much! That's exactly the sort of information I was after. I will certainly push for clomid if I can and the ultrasound. At least now I know taht the lap and dye wouldn't be appropriate as I assume the HSG showing my tubes are clear would eliminate the possibility of PCOS?

In all honesty the doctor last time seemed a bit blase and hardly gave any information but this has given me the confidence to make sure I ask questions and at least a rough idea of what to ask about!

Is IUI before IVF a good option in unexplained infertility? If that is what my trust offers, do I get a choice? I've always thought in my head that I would rather go straight for IVF but does IUI have a fairly high success rate? Sorry for all the questions but this is so daunting! I am excited to think we might get some assistance in the next few months but scared as hell at the same time!

You are so lovely, thank you all again! It's great to hear from people in the same boat and know that I'm not the only one! xx

hi my name is Andreia and i have been trying to concieve for 5 years i have had the cd3 and 21 cd blood tests and it showed that i wasent ovulating reguraly then i was sent to do a ultrasound which showed PCOS,and partner was reffered for a sa the results showed low morphology(he done 3 tests in total).then i was sent to do a HSG which was clear so they prescribed me clomid to be taken from cd 2 to cd 6 for 6 cycles i did fall pregnant twice but it ended up being chemical pregnancys both times, i dident even have time to get excited as it both ended before 5 weeks.we went to the speacialist in october to find out what would be the next step and they said IVF,they said i have unexplained infertility even though i was diagnosed with PCOS and partner's low sperm morphology they say it isent enough to stop us concieving on our own. i regret not asking them more questions as im sure they could have done a lap & dye test or even metformin which loads of people with pcos are taking so make sure you write your questions down so you wont forget what to ask. im curently waiting for IVF on the nhs which will probably take place next year.
i would like to wish you all luck and hope you get some answers as to why you cant concieve.hope you get a soon. good luck.xx

 

[lady blush]

oops forgot to answer your question. even though your tubes are open it does not mean you havent got PCOS the only sure sign of diagnosing pcos is through an ultrasound or blood tests but blood tests sometime do not give a definate answer.

iui before ivf would be a good idea if there isent eny major problems with ur patner sperm they sometimes give you clomid too if your going for iui so u have a better chance but this all depend on your doctors decision.

i am not a doctor so this is only things that i have read lol


p.s where im from they only give you iui for 3 cycles but if you go for iui you arent entitled for ivf apparently or if you go for ivf you arent allowed iui. where abouts are you from?i hope you dont mind me asking.x

 

[MarsMaiden]

Thank you Andreia. Yes, so far the few tests we have had show no issues so I guess that IUI might be the way to go. I guess this is less invasive than IVF too. It just all seems to take such a long time, I though I would have learned patience by now but every month still hurts as much. I don't know how you have managed 5 years! *hugs* I hope you get your IVF appointment soon.

I'm from Cornwall and the impression I got was that IVF would come after IUI but I could have got that wrong, as I said before the FS wasn't exactly forthcoming!

 

[lady blush]

Im from london and down here i was told its either iui or ivf.if i wanted to go for iui then i would get around 3 to 4 cycles and if i wanted ivf i would get one cycle but he also mentioned that i might even be entitled to 2 ivf cycles which is not at all bad. but i think everywhere is different. i would have loved to go for iui but in my case it isent likely that it would work so ill just stick to IVF as it has a better sucssess rate.

i know 5 years is such a long time and it hasent been easy either espeacialy when friends and family seem to get pregnant at a drop of a hat.
i guess that im not as fortunate. but i have faith that it will happen for me one day even though that day seems very distance im sure it will happen.

when are you going to see your FS?

XX

 

[Bumber]

I am in the south west and our clinic offers three x IUI and then one IVF. Our consultant who is the best in the area advises that if both tubes are clear to try the three IUI first and then move on to IVF.

If you move straight on to IVF then that is the one go.

Def worth having EVERYTHING you can get free hun xx

 

[lady blush]

I am in the south west and our clinic offers three x IUI and then one IVF. Our consultant who is the best in the area advises that if both tubes are clear to try the three IUI first and then move on to IVF.

If you move straight on to IVF then that is the one go.

Def worth having EVERYTHING you can get free hun xx

i wished it worked out like that in my area as they told me i can only have one or the other.i was offered iui but the FS said if the 3 cycles failed i wont get IVF for free which is ridiculus.

 

[Bumber]

I am in the south west and our clinic offers three x IUI and then one IVF. Our consultant who is the best in the area advises that if both tubes are clear to try the three IUI first and then move on to IVF.

If you move straight on to IVF then that is the one go.

Def worth having EVERYTHING you can get free hun xx

i wished it worked out like that in my area as they told me i can only have one or the other.i was offered iui but the FS said if the 3 cycles failed i wont get IVF for free which is ridiculus.

[[/I] Oh the fun of the postcode lottery!!!! If my husband and I lived five miles further along we would get three goes at each. Shocking hey