Just been referred for IVF

[Lou32]

We were referred for our first IVF appt this week and I'm feeling pretty scared about the whole thing...We have MF (low motility - only 10%) so although it's not impossible to get a natural BFP, it's unlikely. I'm sure this has been asked a zillion times before, but has anyone got a natural BFP while waiting for IVF? Zita West says it happens to lots of people, but I'm starting to wonder how true that is...Just really trying to think positive!

 

[Mrs G]

Hi lou.

I completely understand how you feel. When we were told we had to have ivf and our natural chances were slim I was devastated. TBH though once you get some appointments through and then once you start treatment time goes so quickly and you just focus on the end result. It's def worth still doing everything you can ttc naturally inthe mean time though. You never know!

I'd imagine you'll be having ICSI, did they mention that to you? Do you know how long you have to wait now?

Kath xx

 

[Lou32]

They said they would have to do a "wash and swim"?? test on the third SA and that would determine what kind of IVF they decide we need. I've heard of ICSI, but from my acupuncturist, not my doctor. I don't really mind which it is, so long as it works!!
They said they'd send an appointment out for the reproductive medicine unit to go through it all with us. If their track record is anything to go by, that will be in the next 4 - 6 weeks and I don't think they have a waiting list. But I'm guessing it will be early next year when it all starts for real.
There's obviously a v slim chance it can still happen for us naturally, but I need to have faith it can or I feel completely helpless knowing the doctors have complete control of our fate.
It's great to see IVF worked for you! It keeps me optimistic x

 

[rachelle1975]

Hey Lou, we got referred for IVF and put on the NHS waiting list in Feb 2009 - we have an appt in Dec for our start dates. It's very daunting and scary but like Mrs G says, just focus on the end result and it will get you through it.

I haven't lost hope of getting a natural BFP and DH is still on multi vits and his SA is slowly improving... we have to have hope, you have nothing left otherwise!

We are having ICSI - it has a 70% fertilisation rate and then for the actual IVF part it goes back to the normal percentage. Our motility isn't an issue but we have a low count. Good luck xx

 

[Lou32]

Can I just ask - when you got your SA results, did they then decide it wasn't worth testing you any more because the sperm was the most likely cause? When I asked if they'd still continue to carry out tests on me (I've only had CD21 FSH, LH and progesterone bloods done) they said they wouldn't bother as I was low risk.
As much as I don't want the lap and dye as it sounds painful, I can't understand why they won't do more tests to check I'm OK. We could really improve OH's sperm quality and then I could have something wrong which still prevents a BFP...I do tend to think the worst, but it doesn't seem to make sense to me.

 

[rachelle1975]

Hey Lou

We had our 'standard' tests done through the GP - i had my CD3 and CD21 day bloods and DH did an SA - my results were okay but DH came back with only 1 million sperm so he did a repeat test 4 weeks later, same again.

After this we got referred to the FS and at our first appt they signed me up for HSG and transvaginal scan to ensure my tubes were not blocked and that i didn't have any endo/pcos (HSG was fine, bit like a smear and not painful just uncomfortable) - DH had another SA and at our follow up appt - results showed i was clear and his count was 4 million. At this point they sent him for a karotype test to see if there were any chromosome abnormalities that would cause issues and in the meantime we went on the NHS waiting list.

Karotype results took until October to come back (we were told 5 months) but all is clear - because there wasn't a 'reason' for his low count, they wanted to check to make sure there wasn't an alternative reason.

- i got told that they like to do the HSG to ensure that there are no female fertility issues when going down the IVF route - it's done vaginally and isn't a lap and dye - literally speculum(?) and small catheter inserted, dye flushed in and scan at the same time - takes 10 mins xx

 

[Lou32]

Well now I'm starting to feel like there's so much they could do but they aren't. I asked if they could look into possible reasons for OH's low motility too and the FS said it was usually unexplained so they weren't going to investigate further. It seems to me that they really should be looking into it a whole lot more before sending us off blindly towards IVF.
Just waiting for an appointment to come through with the reproductive medicine unit for them to discuss IVF with us, so I think I'll have to bring it all up with them and ask them why these extra investigations aren't being done. Just wonder what they'll say if I insist...

 

[obe]

Hi Lou,
Im kind of in the same boat as you. My OH has about 7% motility so we are heading towards ICSI. I had my bloods done and trans scan while under the care of our doctor while my OH had 2 SA done, this was done before we were sent to see the FS. We had our first appointment with the FS in September, I was sent for another blood test and a scan to check my womb and ovaries, my OH had to do another 2 SA by their department to see if we needed ICSI or IVF. (His first sample wasnt very good) At my hospital they ask you to attend an open evening where they explain the process of assisted conception which we found really helpful. We are now just waiting for our follow up appointment in November.
We knew our problem was with my OH right from the start, but they had to carry out tests on myself too. I would of thought you would have to go through some tests even if they feel you are low risk. How long do you have to wait to see the FS again? xx

 

[DanaLou]

Hi Lou! My DH has 13 million now (the previous one was 2 million!) and 15 % motility. We are scheduled for our first appointment with the Dr on Wednesday to go over all our records and testing to see what he wants us to do. It is weird to me that they arent doing more testing on you but maybe what they have looks so good they dont need to. Here's hoping!

 

[Lou32]

Well I rang the reproductive medicine unit earlier to ask when our next appt was (I like to keep them on their toes!) and I mentioned the fact I was uncomfortable about bypassing the HSG test to check my tubes. She reiterated what the consultant said, that they didn't need to check before IVF as my hormone tests had come back ok and I was low risk. She said they ran the test in some cases, but for us it was my partner who was the most likely cause. I insisted it was considered and she said she would refer me back to the consultant (as only he could order it) but she was sure he'd refer straight back without considering it. I don't want to stress over this on top of IVF now, but I just want to know if I'm totally clear! I don't think that's too much to ask.
Obe - when you say you had a trans scan - is that to check your fpn tubes?
Maybe I should go back to my doctor?!

 

[obe]

It shows your tubes and womb to check everything looks ok, I couldnt really see the screen when I had mine done but the nurse said everything looked normal. I had another done a couple of weeks ago, this time the nurse talked me through it. This was to see what my overies/womb were like before we go for ICSI. All of my tests have come back fine. I think they have to check everything before we have any treatment. My OH had a vasectomy reversal, so we knew the prolem was with his swimmers! As im still young (28) the FS said I shouldnt have too much to worry about its just routine checks. I think your FS will send you for some tests. You do right to chase them for your appointment, I had to call a few times as Id not even been put onto the system, and we were never even given a date for a follow up appointment until I asked what was going on! Our next appointment is 17th November. They have given me a great booklet which explains everything step by step of the treatment procedure, right from your first visit to the FS.
Could you call the hospital and ask them to send you some info? I will see if I can get my hands on some when I next go.

 

[Lou32]

Thanks obe. I've actually had the scan I think you're describing when I had some investigations a couple of years ago (long story, but came back all clear other than some cysts on ovaries which they said were normal as I don't have PCOS). The nurse said only the HSG or lap and dye check the tubes are clear - a normal scan would not show this. She did say, however, that a scan would show fluid which could be harmful and that they would do a scan before IVF to check that wouldn't be a problem.
We've been referred now but not had our first IVF attpointment to go through it all, so I'm hoping they'll give us all the info then.
Not sure what to do about this HSG now. Had my weekly acupuncture earlier which has chilled me out a lot about it. My acupuncturist thinks I should relax about it and, although I won't know for certain if the tubes are ok, it's likely they will be fine. Only other option is to pay for the exam doing. I might enquire about the cost at our first IVF appt but for now I'm going to try and relax and concentrate on getting OH's swimmining numbers up. He's had a couple of acupuncture sessions too and has gone from being a total sceptic to loving it. I really never thought I'd see the day!