The Ulster does not do a detailed semen analysis I'm afraid chick, our GP referred my OH for one at the same time as referring us to the Royal for fertility treatment, her thinking was that it would mean we would have the results by the time of our first consultation at the Royal, however because the Ulster only does a simple count this wasnt the case. The Royal will require your OH to do it again at least once (and often more than once, as results can vary dramatically from test to test), as their more detailed analysis also checks mobility, morphology etc.
The Regional Fertility Clinic at the Royal is the ONLY hospital in NI with a license from the HFEA for fertility treatment, so your GP shouldn't really have offered you anywhere else!
There are however a list of blood tests you could get your GP to do for you which might be helpful to have for the first appointment, I'll try to find it and post it, as if you can take the results with you it can speed things up a little. Never post anything to the RFC - it'll never make it to your file!
I hope this doesn't put you off too much, but I wish someone had told me the following before I started going to the RFC - be prepared to fight for every treatment and appointment, to have your concerns and questions dismissed, to be left waiting far longer than told for EVERYTHING and to meet Drs with the worst "bedside manner" you can imagine. I cannot tell you how many times I left that place in tears and feeling so low and ready to give up.
Sorry, went off on one there a bit but still feels very raw! If there is anything at all you want to know, PM me anytime
