Honesty on IVF form

I'm filling out our forms for our consultation on 13th Feb and, as most of you are aware, you are asked a lot of information about your health.

Whilst I'm physically very healthy I have, in the past, had counselling because I was feeling very low. My low moods are usually circumstantial; e.g. when I last had counselling about 4/5 years ago I was in a job I hated, feeling very unfulfilled and was treated horribly by a colleague. My self-worth was in tatters and it had a massive impact on me.

I still have 'down' periods now but more often than not it's fertility related.

My question is: do I tick the 'yes' box that relates depression/mental health? There is no room to elaborate so do i just mention it when I go to my appointment?

[Hidden]

Hi Jojo,

At that time, where you ever diagnosed with a depression or some mental condition? I have been doing counselling, It was my choice, as I was feeling down and anxious due to problems at work and infertility related. But I have never been diagnosed or given drugs for any mental condition. If your case is similar, I would say you should tick "no" in the form (counselling and periods of anxiety and low mood are normal and do not mean you have a mental condition). If on the contrary you have ever been diagnosed/treated, my advice would be to say the truth. Probably It wouldn't affect your treatment now.

All the best luck!! Xxx

[DianeArnold Partner Nurse Fertility Network UK]

Hi JoJo0482. My opinion would be to leave the box unticked, as it really relates to any treatment you may have needed e.g. anti-depressants and a psychiatric referral. Certain drugs can interact with fertility ones, so that's why you are asked. I would just mention the counselling if asked at your appointment. My thoughts of course, so I will leave you to make your own decision when you go and I shall be thinking of you. Diane

[E_05]

I had counselling a few years back and I ticked no for the depression box, I just mentioned it at my meeting and they said that was fine as I explained what it was for xx

[Hidden]

Thanks all for your input. I was once prescribed antidepressants but decided not to take them in the end and never went for a follow up appointment. My most recent spell of counselling was through occupational health at work so it never went through the GP.

I have been to the GP in the hope to get some CBT in the past but I didn't score very highly on the questionnaire so didn't qualify for referral! Whilst I don't want to be dishonest, I really don't want anything to delay us starting. I'll take all of your advice and will tick 'no' but will just mention it at my appointment.

Thanks again. xx

[E_05 in reply to Hidden]

Again I was in a similar position in that my GP gave me a prescription for antidepressants but I decided to never follow it through. If anything I’d say I’m more depressed now than before I started treatment 🙈 so don’t feel like your being dishonest, it’d only be that if you didn’t bring it up at your meeting xx

[Hidden in reply to E_05]

That's understandable given everything you've been through recently.

I do get very low at times but, as I said, it's usually sadness over our situation. I'm lucky that my partner is a very happy, positive person so we balance each other out!

Have you had your blood tests yet / got the result? Xx

[E_05 in reply to Hidden]

Sounds quite like my hubby, in my experience there is understanding that you are going to feel low. When I saw my consultant after my last MMC I told him how low I’d felt and he told me that as a consultant he also felt upset finding out I’d miscarried - after all we are all only human.

Hopefully getting them tomorrow or Friday, think we’d be use to all this waiting 🤦‍♀️ lol xx

[Hidden in reply to E_05]

Thank goodness for supportive partners! Sounds like you had a lovely consultant too.

I am sure extra minutes are crammed into waiting times! It definitely seems longer each time! I hope all is ok when you do get them, hopefully tomorrow. Xx

[Tugsgirl]

I was honest. I had counselling and antidepressants for the breakdown of my first marriage in 06 when I was 26. It does get mentioned whenever I have to go through my medical history but it’s never been an issue xx

[Hidden in reply to Tugsgirl]

That's reassuring to hear. I'm paranoid that we're going to get penalised for every little thing! Xx

[Hidden]

I would leave the box blank and then chat to the doctor/nurse when you see them and complete it with them. Most clinics offer counselling as well and if your IVF journey is not straightforward (hopefully not!) then they may offer you more sessions. If you don’t say anything and it is in your GP record or another record, it can come to the attention of the hospital anyway and then it causes a delay whilst they check it out. People are allowed to have mental health issues and have children- the hospital are just obliged to check there are no outstanding issues which it sounds like there isn’t. You have nothing to hide and it is unlikely to delay your treatment.

[Hidden in reply to Hidden]

Thabk you for your advice. Very wise words x