Hi all, hope you are doing well. I was just wondering if there were any south wales TTC ladies about!? And how many IVF treatments (if you know) are generally available on the NHS for first timers? I know this will vary by CCG. My guess is 2 but I know this can differ across the country.
Sending lots of positive vibes out there this evening to all that need it xx 💫💕
Hey! Not a Welshie sadly, but i googled my local CCG’s assisted fertility policy and it said on there. I’m only 1 unfortunately. Might be worth trying that x
Thank you! I'll take a look 
xx
Hello, I’m from South Wales too and I have treatment in Port Talbot hospital, which is an hour away from where I live at the bottom end of Merthyr.
We are entitled to two cycles of ivf here, but this depends on your age. I am 29 and currently using my second cycle. A cycle here is classed as the egg collection and any further transfers from that collection.
Hope this helps x
Hi Katie Lou, Thanks for replying! I'm about 15 mins from Merthyr.. aged 27 almost! That info really helps, how come your having treatment in Port Talbot? Isn't there anywhere more local to go to? Or was that the quickest option for you can I ask? Xx
There’s no ivf unit in cwm taf, so you’re put into a pool and either port talbot hospital or the heath in Cardiff pick you up, whoever gets to you first with their availability. It’s quite a long process, but we got picked up by port talbot first and it’s such a a lovely hospital. I much prefer it to the heath, I went there once for a special blood test and the parking is a nightmare and the unit difficult to find. Port talbot is a doddle to park and get in and the drive isn’t too bad.
If you’re living in the opposite direction of the valley, maybe they offer it in the gwent, I’m not sure, but that’s even further for me and wasn’t offered. Unfortunately none of the big hospital around here have the facilities, but the travel is worth it. I’m off down there tomorrow actually, so my alarm is on bright and early.
What stage are you at at the moment?
Thanks Katie, yeah we would fall under Blaenau Gwent here. We've been TTC now for almost 2 years, we have a referral in to see a gaeny who will hopefully refer us onto IVF as all other tests have come back clear. The only thing I'll more than likely need to have before treatment is a laparoscopy to check for endometriosis - I've lots of symptoms and had them for years. I'm currently being fast tracked for the next appointment (a private gaeny has recommended it too so hoping that won't take too long). How are you finding the IVF journey so far? I'd never have thought of Port Talbot Vs the Heath in that way but you're completely right - the Heath is a nightmare for parking!! Have you had to take much time off work to go back and fore the hospital though? I'm worrying about that a little with time off and how treatment will make me feel xx
Hi there
I live in Cardiff and we’re at the Heath. The staff there are fantastic and i’ve not found parking to be a problem. It’s free now as well.
I’m 37 and get two rounds - and like Katie said, and from what i understand, having frozen transfers doesnt count as a cycle.
This is my first round and we were picked up very quickly- 1st consultation in Nov 2017 and was offered to start treatment in July 2018. I Had a slight glitch with an inconclusive smear which meant a bit of a delay, but in hindsight it was a good thing for us as i wasn’t quite ready. The team at the Heath are brilliant though. I’m trying to take it all in my stride and although i am hopefully for the best, i fully realise that this is our 1st cycle and there’s so much to learn about how my body will react and cope.
We’re on day 13 of downreg. 1st baseline scan on Monday. all my scans and appointments have been early morning ones- 8.15 or 8.30 meaning i’ve been back at work for 10 to 10.30.
Hope this helps and good luck 🙌🏻🤞🏻💃🏻
That information has been so helpful! Thank you so much. It's lovely to get support from everyone on here in whatever situation, but even more lovely when you can better understand how local services may work for planning ahead. I hope that this first round has been going OK so far and that you are one of those people that get lucky first time!! Fingers crossed. Good luck xxxx
Hi, I know you’ve probably got your answers now but just wanted to say I am at Port talbot hospital so feel free to message any questions xx
Hello, 🙂 first time I have posted on here but I live in South Wales too. Not far from Newport.
I am at the Heath as well. The staff seem friendly and helpful. I have only had my initial appointment so far but they have had to put ivf on hold for me as they found something when I had a scan. So I need to go to my local hospital first to have it sorted out.
I wish you all the best. It’s nice to know you are not alone x
Hi! I'm pretty new on here too.. I'm about 30 mins from Newport. Glad to hear that the staff you have seen are friendly and I hope that whatever you have to have looked at is resolved quickly for you to get on with the IVF process hun! It's very comforting to know you're not alone xxx
Can I ask, have you ever been to the Newport Fertility support group Lillizzielou? I know there's one run by the Fertility Network and I've been debating attending for a few months now xx
Hello, I have not been but have debated going too. (Partly due to being unsure and partly due to work - for example I am working late the evening of the next one).
I know it won’t be everyone’s cup of tea but it may be worth going to see what it is like. Even if you feel after it is not for you, at least you’ve given it a go. I know that is a lot easier said than done.
Thank you for your lovely comment before this on. Fingers crossed it’s sorted. Been ttc nearly 4 years now. xx
Same!! I've debated it and decided not to when I've been able to and then when I've felt up to going, I've been working until late. I may go along this month and see how it goes, I'll let you know if you like!? I think they run on the 4th Thursday each month or something. You've been TTC for double the amount of time as myself - I can't imagine how that must feel but I hope your feeling positive about the future and certainly IVF is getting my hopes up as the next step for us after a likely laparoscopy! I'm awaiting an expedited appointment for a gaeny so hopeful that it'll get the ball rolling for us sometime soon xx
Hi ladies, I am 32 and waiting to start my second cycle in the University Hospital of Wales site. The parking had not been an issue for me as the appointments were so early there were plenty of spaces and free. Everyone I had met on my first cycle were all so lovely and you get to see the same staff, which is nice. The first cycle didn't work for me but they are now changing their approach for the second, so fingers crossed!
Good luck ladies! ❤
Thanks for commenting. Sorry to hear your first cycle wasn't successful but I have my fingers crossed that it will work this time around!! Keep us updated xxx
Hi ladies! Thank you all so much for commenting. I thought it would be nice for us to all keep each other up to date with where we are at to get some support and local info/knowledge. Obviously you don't have to but let me know if anyone is up for it and we can get to know each other a bit better too as we go along our journeys xx
Definetly! I think we all need someone to talk to who understands what its like. It's hard when everyone else just seem to pop out babies! I can't talk to my friends about it as they all say the standard 'just relax' generic unhelpful responses!
I am in Cardiff, It would be nice to meet similar ladies in same situation for a coffee x
I understand completely what you mean! I've not even told my best friends about us TTC. Only VERY close family know and to be honest that was because my OH mum seen some folic acid tablets in my house and jumped to the wrong conclusion.. she assumed I was pregnant. And then my mum knows a lot about blood tests and hospital stuff because she works in a hospital and she assumed again the wrong thing when I had to wait for a certain date for bloods! Which was to test I was ovulating lol. We have a lovely pair of families so they were extremely apologetic and understanding but omg so awkward!! I'm definitely up for chatting and getting to know you all. Omg if one more person says relax.. 😂😂 xx
its so hard when people ask you if you are pregnant, it's the last thing you want to hear. I find people in work looking at my belly, when I was off sick with an ectopic, people thought I was off sick with morning sickness. Which meant I had to deal with that on my return. People are so insensitive! I have learnt to keep my ivf to myself as there are too many gossips! If you have any questions about ivf, clomid etc let me know I've been too scared to go to the local fertility catch up, I think I would just cry!
Oh bless you! I know, awareness is so poor that people honestly don't realise the issues we go through. It's taken as ' a given ' that ladies can get pregnant. So tough sometimes xx
Definitely! I agree with you both. I have found it easier speaking to a friend who has been through it all herself. x
That's such a big support and I bet she's amazing for knowledge too. It a a shame she's going through it all herself but it must be a comfort to know you are supporting each other through it xx
I’m in Neath Port Talbot hospital, got 3 goes at IUI (which didn’t work for us unfortunately) and 2 shots at IVF. The staff are lovely there. x
Thanks for commenting Dream27! It's good to hear that the staff at Port Talbot are really lovely. So sorry the IUIs haven't worked but fingers crossed the next stage holds exciting times for you in the long run. It's surprising how many people on here are in this sort of area so it's lovely to hear from you xx
Hi, I live in Swansea and being treated in the Neath Port Talbot hospital. We get 2 rounds of IVF. I started stimms for our first round yesterday! I’ve found the staff at the hospital to be fantastic so far. Anything you’d like to know, don’t hesitate to message me. All the best on your journey! Xx
Hi everyone, just wondering how you're all getting along? I've got a laparoscopy scheduled for some time before June to hunt for any endometriosis and to do a tube test! IVF referral will follow after the outcome.. I was just sat here wondering about how you're all getting on in your journeys? Any progress or anything people would like to share?
katie_lou MissJos Core lillizzielou bakewell16 Dream27 CJones40
Only comment if you fancy it of course xx
Sorry Faith27 it’s only now that i see this. How you getting on??x
Hi , I am in Neath Port Talbot hospital as well. We got 2 rounds of ivf .
Had one fresh and one frozen so far, I am on my second ( middle of treatment now ), the staff is lovely there.
Was just wondering if is any success stories in there?
Hi, I was under neath port Talbot and my second fresh round was a success and I'm currently 10 weeks pregnant. X
Hi I'm from Llanelli, I was entitled to 3 rounds of ivf. I was under neath port Talbot, until I was discharged 2 weeks ago following a positive result and scan. They have been fab there, couldn't have asked for any better.
Congratulations
I am from New Quay
So happy that are happy endings ❤️
Yes there are happy endings. Its been a struggle but all worth it to see that little heartbeating away. Good luck with you're treatment
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