The next step??

[peekaboo]

Ok, after TTC for almost 18 months and having had blood tests which showed I was ovulating, a HSG test that looked fine and a SA for hubby that was great, does anyone know what would be the next step (I guess we'll be classed as 'unexplained infertility')?

We've got to go back to the consultant to get one more set of results (from the transvaginal scan I had a few weeks ago), where I am assuming she'll discuss what we do next, BUT our appointment isn't for another FOUR MONTHS! We've considered going private, but are currently waiting to see if we can get an earlier appointment on the NHS.

Does anyone who had been in this position have any advice on what might be suggested to us? Are they likely to encourage IVF or would there be other options first? Also, should I be asking for any additional tests or treatment?

And does anyone have any advice on whether we should stick it out with the NHS or try to hurry everything up by going private? Treatment-wise does anyone know if there is a big difference?

Thanks in advance. x

 

[rachelle1975]

Hey Peekaboo - i know that private clinics in the UK charge about £200 for an initial consultation. It also appears that when it is unexplained the NHS seem to make you wait a little longer for treatment rather than starting on it straight away.

It sucks being made to wait but if you think you would like to get the ball rolling sooner rather than later then perhaps have a consultation privately? Just make sure that any private treatment won't affect your NHS treatment first.

My friends are unexplained and the FS went straight to IVF rather than IUI but it can vary from PCT to PCT

Good luck x

 

[mwmm]

Hi Peekaboo,
once all the initial tests revealed nothing wrond with either of us, we were put into the 'unexplained' bracket, i was then given 3 months of clomid, but only took it for one cycle as wasn't happy that i was already ovulating-When i went back, i was told that we would not qualify for treatment on the NHS due to me having a 15 year old already,so,our next step was to go to my G.P, request a copy of all my notes (tests and results), then ask the G.P to refer us to a private clinic- As has already been mentioned, with unexplained infertility, the NHS will only accept couple's when they have been trying for a certain amount of time,.....i 'think' it is 3 years, although i could be wrong.
Wishing you lots of luck.
xxx

 

[peekaboo]

Thank you for the responses. Not sure what to feel but being in the 'unexplained' category is quite frustrating really then. Not that I'd rather there was something wrong, but it seems that if there's nothing wrong then you can't get help as easily. A bit of a catch 22 situation really. I'm still waiting on finding out if there have been any cancellations which would mean we could get in earlier but not heard anything yet. If not I think we might have to take the plunge and go private. But I'm still not sure what would happen then? Ie are there any hormone injections/ tablets or anything that would be worth trying before opting for IUI or IVF? x

 

[RebaRezzelba]

Hi there. Your situation is very similar to my own. Have been TTC #1 for approx 22+ months now. We had all the tests done and all came back normal - husband sperm above average too. We waited 6 months for our 2nd FS appointment, had it in June past. The only options she gave us was IUI and IVF. She even recommended us to go straight to the IVF cos IUI has the same % success rate as normal sex... So basically we are now on a 1 year waiting list for IVF. I dont want IVF so she said in a years time when I get called for it I can defer it for a while - a year or two even. And if after that I feel its the only option we can will go straight back on the list at the spot we left (so we wont have another year to wait). She never mentioned Clomid or anything like that us - maybe because I am ovualting normally anyway. But I wish i had been given more options. I was even thinking of going to my doctor to see about the Clomid - cos Ive read on here about people who were ovualting like normal but still went on Clomid... But then again im thinking that I dont want to be messing with my body and should just let nature take its course. But its coming up on 2 years and its not getting any easier.

Its a difficult one - this unexplained infertility.

 

[bek74]

I don't have unexplained, but have heard great things about natural therapy. Maybe you could try acupuncture, I have heard of wonderful success stories and to be honest, It couldn't hurt while your waiting for your appointment.
Good Luck

 

[reallyready]

Hi peekaboo
We are also unexplained infertility. In the last 6 weeks I pursued to visit an edometriosis specialist and a fertility specialist because after trying for a year and a half and three rounds of clomid with 3 IUIs, we were being referred for IVF.

Once we met with the FS though he does recommend IVF for us, he did say that 40% of women over the age of 35 who are having trouble getting pg have endometriosis. (though he loves to throw out lots of statistics till your head starts to spin)

I don't want to flag you with endo because you very well may not have it, but it is a big cause for infertility and since it is so often not diagnosed a lot of women do look into it at least in considering why they might be having trouble conceiving.

Good luck and I hope you find the answers and get your bfp soon!
xxx

 

[peekaboo]

Thanks again for the responses. Its so baffling this whole TTC thing. I wish there was just a magic tablet we could all take.

bek74 - thanks for the suggestion. I've actually just started with reflexology so hopefully that might be a help. Acupuncture is my next step after reflexology!

I guess I just have to wait and see what FS says to try next. I just know hubby isn't gonna be keen on diving straight into the IVF route. In his head if there's nothing medically wrong with us then it will happen when its meant to. Hmm. We'll see.

Thanks again. x