Referral stage- beginning of journey

[Elsie82]

Hi, is anyone else right at the beginning of their journey that would like to chat? We are only just at the referal stage after ttc for 1 year, but I still feel so worried and anxious, especially as I'm aware there's going to a huge wait for nhs ahead. Would be a great support to talk to anyone else who is going through the same. Thanks xxx

[Ranchu90]

We are all here to support you if you need an advice. I am not a “beginner” I’d rather consider myself a very old one in this journey. Try to not worry too much, I know that is difficult. To be honest I was actually excited when we had the referral as I thought that we will finally have answers to our questions. I was very hopeful. Think positive! ❤️🤗

[Elsie82 in reply to Ranchu90]

Aww thank you x I feel mixed emotions. Excited for answers and that maybe this could end positively, but also worried about my age (38) and that I may not become a mum. Just reading everyones posts on here has already been a support, so im so glad I found this forum xx thanks for your message

[Ranchu90 in reply to Elsie82]

IVF taught me one important thing, in this journey our age is just a number. I can see even on this forum that lots of ladies that are much older than me are producing more eggs than I do. I never had 20 eggs and I am 29 with a very good AMH. Or the other way round very young ladies are on menopause before even reaching 30 or 35.

I am really hoping that you will be the first time lucky 🍀

[Elsie82 in reply to Ranchu90]

Thank you, you are so kind xx

[Alaska20]

Hi Elsie82, I am at the stage where I am trying to get a referral. My husband and I have hoped for a baby for nearly 2 years now, out of those 2 years we have ttc for 14 months because I have stage 4 endometriosis and had to have 2 lots of surgery during the 2 years. Because it hasn't been a continuous year of ttc, the Gp's have advised me that I can't be referred until January, which is really frustrating because we have tried for 14 months already.

Have they advised what the delay time might be? With the referral in that is already a big positive, and step closer to getting some guidelines and treatments that might help xx

[Elsie82 in reply to Alaska20]

Hi Alaska20. My GP has been great and very understanding so far.

We had been ttc for 9 months before I contacted her, but this was just at the time that Covid hit, so she then advised to wait until end of May to start initial investigations (my blood tests were done very quickly, but semen analysis services were closed until a couple of weeks ago in my area). I was a bit upset to find out I could has started this process at 6month ttc because I am over 35, and therefore could have potentially started the ball rolling at Xmas.

We have now been advised of 'significant waits', but I can let you know when I receive any info of possible appointments.

I really feel for you, its such a stressful time, and all our minds are focussed on is getting some answers and help. So glad I found this group, what a great support for us all xxx

[Pink_Penguin01]

I’m at exactly the same stage as you! And more than happy to chat about it with you.

My GP has referred me, I went to her after ttc for a couple of years. So far I have had a blood test with showed nothing other than macrocytosis, and I’ve had another now to look at the cause. Apart from that, nothing other than waiting for my referral to come though

[Elsie82 in reply to Pink_Penguin01]

Great to her from you! My blood tests came back as 'normal', but I'm considering asking today if I can have the full results given to me (although I will probably end up obsessing about it!...as I seem to be doing with everything over lockdown). Have you been advised on how long the waits are? xx

[KiboXX in reply to Elsie82]

Elsie if you call your GP surgery, they will be able to give you a print out of your blood results. It’s a handy to have a copy of your own anyway so worth doing xx

[Elsie82 in reply to KiboXX]

Yes, I will do that, thank you. I felt like I didn't really take anything in over the telephone. I was just happy when she said the results were 'normal'! x

[KiboXX in reply to Elsie82]

That’s me at every appointment! 🙈 x

[flutterby44]

Hey lovely, I am around the same stage too. Went to our GP in Jan after 13 months ttc and was sent for blood tests and hubby had a sperm analysis. Results show hubby has low sperm mobility and morphology. After those results we were referreed (pretty quickly) to the fertility team at the hospital and our first consultation was set for April. Due to COVID it was pushed back. We had our first call at the beginning of June. Hubby needs another sperm analysis and I am going for a HSG in a few weeks. We have a consultansts appt booked for August to discuss the next set of results. The nurse explained that because of hubbys sperm issues, it will be more than likely, that we will be eligible for NHS funding.

Has your partner had any tests yet? Xx

[Elsie82 in reply to flutterby44]

Hi, yes he did the tests over 2 weeks ago, but still waiting on the results. I am going to chase today, as I thought they would be back by now? I wish I had gotten him to change GPs- mine is very on the ball, his less so! Sounds like your referral got things moving pretty quickly though, which is great news! Wishing you so much luck! xx

[flutterby44 in reply to Elsie82]

I think they take about 2 weeks, but definitely chase. I had to do a lot of chasing to try and reschedule our first appt at the hospital. We were lucky with the referral process, our GP is so efficient. I think it also depends on location too. Wishing you all the luck xx

[Amy1122]

Hi Elsie, I’m at the beginning. Literally about to start so let me know if you want any info ❤️ xxx

[Elsie82 in reply to Amy1122]

Are you still at GP stage as well? Xx

[Amy1122 in reply to Elsie82]

I am about to start treatment... I should start in July xxx

[Bunnys123]

Hey, I’m only slightly further ahead in that my husband and I have had all our test work done. It’s taken just about 7 months to get to consultation stage to find out what our treatment could be. Not helped by COVID 19 but still long.

My best advice is to make sure that you get all the tests done for your partner too. Unfortunately I found it to be very assuming that it was myself as the woman with the potential issue and I didn’t even know blood tests for males was a thing as the focus was so on me. It’s dragged out the testing phase as they did me first and then my partner!

Also a notebook will become your best friend! Write everything down and questions you think of at 2am (that might just be me 😂) as it helps process all the information.

This community on here is great! Don’t be afraid to reach out with any questions or just ask for support, I’ve felt so welcomed and so many lovely people have calmed me on my lowest days.

Best of luck to you on your journey xxx

[Elsie82 in reply to Bunnys123]

Thank you, so great to have your advice. The notebook will be a brilliant idea for me, as my brain seems to be all over the place at the moment, and you're right, 2am seems to be the time when most questions pop into our heads 😁. We're always quick to presume any possible problems will lie with us women. I know that's how I feel at the moment xx best of luck to you too, thanks for replying x

[Hidden]

Hi!! I'm just at the beginning but nearer starting treatment stages. Got referred in september got word the next month. Went for introduction and chats had appointments for samples and smoke tests etc. January time said on waiting list and by end of Feb march got a letter saying top of list and to go in for amh levels. This is where we are at just now because of covid it was delayed. But actually was really fast. Hope this helps x

[Elsie82 in reply to Hidden]

Ah that does sound really quick! Wishing you the best of luck with it all! We are still waiting for our first appointment, hopefully it will be soon. I'm wondering if I might be seen quicker because I'm older.. who knows?!

[Hidden in reply to Elsie82]

It happened a lot quicker than I expected but at same time feels like forever waiting on appointments to come through etc. A bit nervous not sure what to expect but atleast the ball is rolling. Thanks and I hope you dont have a long wait x