Ivf waiting time, had 4 previous ectopic pregnancies, is it safe to try naturally again.?

[Greencook]

Has anyone been to the doctors to apply for ivf lately I have had 4 ectopic pregnancies & after going to the doctors today she said it’s a 50 week wait for an appointment with the hospital to even be considered then if successful then apply for ivf which can take another year on top of that, I can’t believe I’ll have to wait 2 years I’m so disheartened

[Cmc2020]

Hello wow 4 ectopics sorry to hear that it’s really hard to go through !! I had two ectopics resulting in both tubes being removed ! I had to wait around 7 months for nhs Ivf waiting list then the time they do tests etc and egg retrieval and transfer it does take around two years it depends what hospital your getting referred to and what treatment you get my treatment was longer as I had to do a freeze all after EC for me the time actually went quickly! My first transfer worked and I’m currently over 14 weeks pregnant so it definitely was worth the wait I think you should go for it xx

[Greencook in reply to Cmc2020]

Ahh thank you can I ask how old you are ? I’m 30 & everyone keeps telling me I’m still young but I still feel like I’m leaving it late .. so glad you are pregnant it was definitely worth the wait for you I’m hoping this will be me in 2 years time too .. I am debating going private but it’s very expensive xxx

[Cmc2020 in reply to Greencook]

Yeah it is private I am 31 now so hope this gives you hope I have bad endo too and it still worked first time which I am very greatful for like the other person said it depends on waiting lists but I know som clinics are running a little slower due to covid xxxx

[Greencook in reply to Cmc2020]

Thanks so much I’ll be 32 when I start most likely I’m just feeling a bit disheartened, I still have one tube remaining but I had 2 ectopic pregnancies in this one so it’s scary but like the other lady said ivf there’s a chance of ectopic too so I’d rather risk having another & having the remaining one removed before ivf starts xxx

[Ivfgotadream in reply to Greencook]

Obviously you are hugely risk to continue to try naturally but if you are comfortable with the risks then it’s only a decision you can make? I lost my remaining tube to a second ectopic following an IVF transfer - IVF does actually increase the risk of an ectopic especially if you have prior history of it anyway. Part of me actually felt relieved when it happened and they removed my last tube (they offered to save it but I declined) - I then had success on my next transfer and my twins are due shortly

Just bear in mind the dye test can’t really tell you anything other than whether your tube is blocked or not. I had 2 dye tests - both showed perfect tubes - still lost them to ectopics. The test cant tell you if your tubes actually work or not - after 4 ectopics I’d definitely err on the side of caution that they don’t work and therefore take the results of the test with a pinch of salt x

[Greencook in reply to Ivfgotadream]

Yes I agree I’m with you on that one with me having 4 I just feel like now I want the last one out but hoping for a miracle by trying for this year (while waiting for the appointment in a years time) so happy you now have got pregnant & with twins too that’s amazing xx

[Cmc2020 in reply to Greencook]

Yeah my best advise is to have the remaining tube removed I’m so glad I haven’t got mine it’s damaged so there’s no point and it will make you higher Risk of another ectopic xxx

[Greencook in reply to Cmc2020]

I agree worth the risk isn’t it thanks for replying x

[Goldie24]

Hi, it massively depends where you live. There are no waiting times where I live in the midlands and there weren’t a year ago when I started either. This is either on the nhs or private. I had my initial appt about 5 weeks after seeing the gp and that was by choice as it fitted in with work, I could have had it earlier. I was due to start within 6 weeks of that but it got delayed because of covid. I’m so sorry about your ectopic pregnancies that must be heartbreaking. Did your GP suggest seeing any other specialists? Ivf actually increases your chance of ectopic pregnancy as far as I’m aware (bizarre I know) and I wanted to check you were aware of that before starting the wait if that’s what you plan to do. I’m guessing you still have at least one tube if you’re considering continuing to try naturally, did you ask your GP about the safety of that etc? I’ve never heard of anyone being told to stop trying naturally if they have ectopics but then 4 is a lot and it might put your mind at rest to check that with someone who knows what they’re talking about. Good luck! x

[Greencook in reply to Goldie24]

Wow that’s amazing that you’ve been able to be seen so quickly, I’m from the north west & I think COVID has a big part in why I’ll be waiting so long, I have to have a dye test in a few months but my 1st appointment with the gynaecologist with my partner can be anything from 36-50 weeks & then I don’t know how long then ill be on a list for ivf it’s all so confusing .. yes I’ve recently found that out too so I think I’m going to try naturally still & if it results in another ectopic I’d hope they would take it out because then when we do have ivf it won’t be an option as I’ll have no tubes xxx

[Newbies1 in reply to Greencook]

Hi

Not sure if it helps but I am also in the north west and I found the longest part of the process was the initial tests, once they are complete the ivf funding appointment and referral was relatively quick with no real waiting list as such and this was through covid. Also depending on your location when I went to book initial tests I had option of two hospitals because of where I live one had ridiculous waiting times and the other was not as bad still probably took 10 months for all tests to be completed but may be worth checking if you live near more than one hospital. I would still start the process now so you are at least in the system and try not to get disheartened with the wait.

Good luck with everything xxx

[Greencook in reply to Newbies1]

Thank you ❤️ The dr told me I’ll be having the dye test in a few months & that our 1st appointment then will be 30-50 weeks so I was a bit took back so are you saying that once the tests etc are done you aren’t on a list then for ivf ? I live in Denton Manchester, if you don’t mind how old are you & has the ivf been successful for you ? xx

[Newbies1 in reply to Greencook]

Hi I've just sent you a direct message