NHS IVF - Leeds or St Mary's Manchester - which to choose?

[PS79]

Hi

Myself and my partner are due to be referred for IVF and have been given the option of Leeds (think it's Seacroft hospital) or St Mary's at Manchester on the NHS. Has anyone any idea of waiting lists at either of these hospitals and how long it may take for treatment? Any advice would be welcome prior to making our decision

Thanks

 

[spidergirl]

Hi hun i am having my treatment at St marys at the moment. The staff are really friendly and helpful. Me and my OH got told in October that are only chance of having a baby is by having ivf. By December we had word to go to St marys for test to make everything was ok before we started treatment and by January they said we could start treatment. Since we got told we need ivf every thing has gone really fast. I would say go with the one that feels most right for you both but take in to a count that you will be having to travel there every other morning for blood and scans between 7:30 - 8:30 am. Any ways hope that helps and best of luck to you both xx

 

[PS79]

Hi spidergirl

Many thanks for your reply. Hope you dont mind me asking but when you say you could start treatment in January did that mean starting your medication and first cycle? Just trying to get a rough idea of how many weeks wait from referral to first cycle commencing. We have been on a long road already and want to get an idea of timescales x x

 

[spidergirl]

Hi PS79 i don't mind at all,

Once all your paper work has been sorted you will go down for tests it is just to make sure every thing will be ok while doing ivf and what kind you will be doing for us it took 2 months get the appointment and 1 month for the results. I went to the hospital in January for the results and they said we could start treatment all we had to do was ring up on the first day of my period to request treatment. They then take down your last 3 period, name and a telephone number and will ring you back either the same day or the next day. They only have a few spots a month so if you get accepted for that month you will go down just before you ovulate and do some more paper work and they will give you your drugs and show you how they are done don't worry about doing the injections you don't feel a thing. First you have the down regulation drugs they stop you normal hormones you then go for a blood test and if every thing is fine you start your second lot of drugs the stimulating drugs. Then they will make you go in every other day for blood test and scans to check how you hormones are doing and how your follicles are growing once they get to a certain size not sure what they will collect them . Any ways hope that helps sorry so long and also sorry for any typos my dog won't leave me alone lol xx

 

[PS79]

Thanks for your reply - really appreciate it. Do they have patient information evenings at St Mary's? xx

 

[spidergirl]

I think they do but not 100% as we didn't go to one but i can ask for you and let you know xx

 

[PS79]

Ah don't worry hon. Think we are going to go with St Mary's. It's so hard to know which hospital will be quicker so will go with the Manchester one x x