Daft question but does treatment involve lots of appointments?

[tommyg]

My "21" day bloods have come back as I expected, too low for me to be ovulating. I have to put an appointment on with my GP once I have DH's results, and I guess that they will refer me to a FS.

My DH has worked away from home for a long time, and recently I have been forced to join him because of the credit crunch but our GP's are at home 200 miles away.

Would I be better to ask my GP to refer me to a clinic nearer my work than home?

 

[underthestars]

Hey Tommyg

In my experience (and we have not started IVF yet...a few weeks to go) it involves a headscratchingly large number of appointments. It took 5+ to get my referral from my gp (and that was quite quick I think as it was a simple case) then I have had 4 at my ivf centre and will see them very frequently once I actually start. I've had to make my boss fully aware (she is amazing) as I've found certainly withthe ivf centre that they do certain things on certain days so you can't pick appointments to suit you or work.

I guess I'm saying that it needs to be conveniant but before you look into referring though just check things like your nhs ivf entitlement (incase you need it) at the different locations you may be referring from and to as they can vary hugely and may impact on our choice.

Good luck with it all,

 

[tommyg]

Thanks for your reply, I had a feeling that it would involve a lot of appointments and not appointments that I could have "last thing on a Friday".

I think I will ask them to refer me to a clinic near my work if they can.

Still feeling a bit gutted, I always knew that with irregular cycles getting pregnant wouldn't be an easy ride but I also held a bit of hope that it would happen without help. Getting the blood results and the conversation of "yes you'd be better to wait for your husbands results before making the appointment" can only mean one thing.

 

[fawkesymomma]

I was lucky and didn't need a referral for my insurance, but there are a lot of appointments. Towards the 'big day' in your cycle (IVF or IUI) you really are going in every day for monitoring to make sure the timing is right. And that is after you have gone in for all of the preliminary stuff like blood work, HSG, planning with your specialist. I would recommend someone close to where you are to make it much less stressful on you.

 

[Starbright]

Hi

Like Underthestars, the clinic I'm at do certain things on certain days - and even at certain times of the day.
Good luck with it all
xx

 

[tommyg]

I'd don't know how easy it will be to get a referal outwith my own area or what that will do on the NHS postcode lottery. Just extra stress to the full process but will all be worth it in the end if I manage to get a BFP eventually.

 

[Sammy2009]

Flipping loads!!!

I had IVF last year and we were forever at apts... it was hard keep finding excuses at work and ended up taking most of the days off out of my holiday entitlement. There are umpteen tests and even when you get as far as the IVF procedure there are then tons more! Good luck