FS on the NHS...what to expect?

[blueeyedgirl1]

Hello all,

OH & I are being referred to a FS in January, on the NHS (Bristol Centre for Reproductive Medicine).

My CD3 results haven't been consistent, with one level being high one month (either FSH or LH, feel stupid that I can't remember but it was such a shock being told that as the receptionist told me all results were fine when I phoned the week before) and borderline the next, whilst they should be stable and not fluctuate. I've got some dodgy hormonal symptoms every month as well which just feel "wrong".

OH has been asked to submit a sample for SA, just waiting for the call-up from the hospital for when they want him to do it.

We're both doing the obligatory tests for HIV, Hep, STDs, etc as well. Once all these results are back, the GP will write the referral.

I'm just wondering what to expect when we see the FS really. I have a feeling OH's SA will come back fine (but you never know) and suspect the problem is with me. I had a lap last Dec when I had the MMC, and they did have a look all 'round my reproductive organs as they thought baby was ectopic. Their feedback was that everything looked very good in there, but of course I don't know if they would have been looking for cysts, endo, etc as well as baby.

Do they do more tests than the basic LH, FSH, oestrogen, progesterone, etc tests that the GP ordered? Or is it only private FS who order the fancy immune tests and chromosome analysis?

I know every woman's different, and a lot hangs on which level of mine was actually wonky and OH's SA but I'm just wondering what everyone's first few NHS FS appointments were like?

Thanks in advance!!

 

[Princess Lou]

Hey,

At my first appointment my FS ordered blood work from me, did scans and ordered an SA from hubby. I told him that our GP had already got all these tests done he responded with "Ours are more thorough." Anyway, after he ordered all that and found the issue lies with me, at the second appointment he prescribed Clomid for me and the third (after Clomid failed) he has put me on the waiting list for injections.

As you'll know, every area is different with what they do and you'll get a variation of responses from the women here.

It may sound daunting going to see an FS but it's bringing you closer to your BFP.

Good luck. X

 

[blueeyedgirl1]

Thanks Princess, much appreciated.

I'm just impatient until the referral finally comes along, just want to get the ball rolling. But knowing what to expect helps lessen the anxiety for me a bit.

 

[Sexki11en]

Hi Blueyedgirl.

BCRM is our clinic where we had our last cycle. They don't do fancy immune or chromosomal testing i'm afraid.

They may order more bloodwork to be sure or a lap & dye before they continue. One thing I would suggest is keep on top of them. It was 6 moths between our first appointment and getting the lap & dye because they 'forgot' to put me on the list!!! Precious time we didn't have sadly.

**Edit - Sorry, just read you've had a lap already. They may well look at your bloods and decide on your treatment there and then. Be prepared for 'dildo cam' on your first appointment. I wasn't prepared for that!!!

They are lovely tho and are 4th in the country for success. You're in very good hands.

If you want to know anything else, feel free to ask. We cycled recently (Sept/Oct)

SK x

 

[LouTTC1]

Hi.

I had blood tests at day CD2-4 and CD21 through my GP and my husband did 2 SA. From the SA it looks like we are dealing with low sperm count and low morphology.

We were referred to the local Assisted Conception department and got an appointment quite quickly. As above, the consultant wanted blood tests done again at the hospital. They seem happier when their own labs have done the tests! We have both had the standard HIV etc blood test and I had it done CD2-4 to get the usual levels of things checked out.

I had an internal ultrasound on CD6 to check out things for me and on CD9 I had an HSG. The initial results of the ultrasound and HSG show that things seem ok with me but they need to enlarge the pictures to get a better look.

My husband has another SA booked in for this week.

We have a follow up appointment in mid-Jan to find out all our results and find out where we go from here. If I'm ok and the SA results are like last time then it will likely we will have to go for IUI or IVF.

 

[blueeyedgirl1]

Thanks everyone.

Sexki11en: dildo cam?! Eep!! Is that just to get a look at my cervix and stuff?

I wouldn't be surprised if they send me in for another lap, the first one wasn't for infertility reasons, more the opposite I suppose, so they couldn't possibly have looked at everything that a FS normally would. Def not looking forward to that one, took me 3 weeks to recover last time!

I'll definitely keep on top of them though, thanks for the advice!