Help please! IVF PROCESS!?

[Bali88]

We have been TTC for 2 years now with no luck and no obvious problems. The doctor has diagnosed us with ‘unexplained infertility’ and we have been given 1 round of IVF at St Guys, London on the NHS. My first appointment is next week and I really don’t know what to expect and am very nervous about it all. Does treatment tend to start straight away or is there a long wait from the first appointment? I want to mentally prepare myself if it is going to be a long wait to avoid disappointment. Any info on the process and timings would be so so helpful!! Xx

[emmab178]

Timings depend on the clinic and what protocol they will have you on. They usually need to do a day 1 to 4 (can't remember exactly but it's early cycle) scan and possibly do a semen analysis. My clinic also wanted a repeat amh test. They also have you do a chylmedia and hiv test and make sure your smear is up to date.

All this will be explained on the first appointment. They will ask you about the timings of your cycles and depending on what drops out will determine when you can start. I had to wait a cycle as missed the timing for the first scan.

[Bali88 in reply to emmab178]

Thank you that is all really helpful to know!

[Sfarre]

It depends a little how many tests you had done before referral. If you have had them all, you will meet with a doctor who will discuss the next steps: what your treatment plan is and what protocol you'll be doing. We were able to start the stimulation after my next period, which was the next week from first appointment! So if there isn't a wait, it could be very quick for you to get started. You will also meet with a nurse who will explain to you how to take the injections etc and answer any questions you might have.

Yes, for some, this can be the start of a long process. Yet for others (myself included, got pregnant on first cycle of icsi), ivf treatment can go well. The best thing to do is to try to keep positive, and try not to stress. Easier said than done I know! But I found it really great to be proactive and get the help we needed after years of trying without success.

This is an excellent source of info and support so you are in the right place- there are a lot of ladies here going through the same process. Best of luck!

[Bali88 in reply to Sfarre]

Thank you so much. We have had all of the tests done already (blood tests, semen, internal scans and chylmedia and hiv) so hopefully we won’t have to do them again! I think I will feel much better after the first appointment once we have an idea on timeframes - for now the prospect of having a baby still seems so so far away!

[KelseyB]

Hi! I was just about to post a similar post to this one. I have my first appointment next week at Guys hospital. We have male factor infertility. The only things I haven’t had done are a hiv/hepb blood test. I’m hoping there isn’t any need for more tests and to start ASAP. The waiting is driving me mad. X