IVF Waitlist & Counselling Scotland

[Bluesky34]

Hey, 34 YO been TTC for 3.5 yrs. Been on IVF waitlist for 3 months (Glasgow). Have been getting some private tests done as cycle can vary from 4.5 weeks to 7 weeks so hard to catch ovulation. Have suspected endo, 2 ovarian cysts but never experience any real pain. HyCoSy all good. BMI currently 30.7. Husbands first sperm test was mostly normal although concentration was down slightly.

Questions:

1. At what point do they check BMI?

2. Does anyone have any recent experience of the waitlist from the point of being referred?

3. Do you get offered counselling? I’ve read that this is NHS advice but haven’t been as yet. Finding it all a bit lonely if I’m honest as everyone around me is pregnant at the moment (not an exaggeration!) so I don’t really have anyone to speak to about it.

[PeppyMiller]

Hi Blueskye34

I'm Edinburgh, so not sure if Glasgow will be busier, but for me (last year) it was a year from the time I was added to the waitlist til I started treatment. A couple of months earlier, they called us to do tests and scans again, and checked my BMI before applying for the funding. They didn't check it again before treatment, as it's just relevant for the funding, not for the actual treatment.

About the counselling, they offered us a session whilst we were on the list, we didn't take it as we didn't feel one session would change much and we were doing ok, but if you feel like you need to talk to someone, they might he able to offer something more regular. Every time I had an appointment, they did check that we were still doing ok without the counselling, so I feel they are very supportive and understanding with it.

[Bluesky34 in reply to PeppyMiller]

Thanks you PeppyMiller that’s really helpful to know. It’s been 9 months since we were referred then had a phone appointment 3 months ago where we were told we were now on the waitlist so hopefully not too much longer to go. Good to know about when they check weight, I’ll get those pesky Xmas pounds off ASAP.

Best of luck wherever you are on the IVF road xx

[TopGuntastic]

Hi Bluesky34,

At Glasgow Royal Infirmary (GRI), NHS funded, you have to be under BMI 30 by your first in person appointment and then also at the start of each treatment (eg collection or frozen embryo transfer).

I’ve heard it’s currently about 8 months from referral but seems to vary and you will likely have a telephone appointment first at about 6-7 months. It’s then another few months at least before treatment would start. This can also depend if they need to repeat any tests and if you manage to get booked in 1st, 2nd, 3rd month.

You’ll be able to access counselling as they have two dedicated counsellors. You’ll be given information early on.

You might want to join the Facebook group called ‘Glasgow IVF and ICSI support group’ to find out more.

Good luck 🤞 x

[Bluesky34 in reply to TopGuntastic]

Thank you that’s really helpful to know. I got referred in May 23 and had my phone appointment in Nov 23 where the said we were eligible to go on the waitlist. Hopefully not too much longer to wait and I’ll make sure to get that BMI down.

I didn’t know about the Facebook group, thanks although I wish there was a way to join anonymously!

Best of luck wherever you are with your journey and thank you for taking the time to reply xx

[TopGuntastic in reply to Bluesky34]

That’s great you’ve already had your phone appointment. I’d imagine you’d get your first appointment in soon 🤞

I’m sure you’ll get your BMI down, it’s almost there. And so you know, you can post anonymously on the Facebook group.

Good luck ✨ xx

[Legallyblonde39]

Hi I'm in Tayside and did NHS ivf here back in 2021. It was nearly 1.5 years waiting because of Covid and because I had suffered multiple miscarriages which I had to get tested for. The miscarriages also put my treatment back. When I had my first round of ivf they weighed me twice. Just before the treatment was to start. Bloods taken and weight. I got weighed again just before egg retrieval but I think that was for anaesthesia purposes. My first round of ivf failed and one doctor was pushing for donor eggs. I requested counselling as I didn't feel that was for me. The NHS counselling was OK, pretty generic. I opted to get some private counselling which was amazing. I stuck to my guns and now have my little boy with my own eggs and a high graded frozen embryo. X

[Bluesky34 in reply to Legallyblonde39]

I love hearing such positive stories like this. You know yourself best and I’m so glad you got exactly what you hoped for. Hope you’re new family are doing well sending love xx

[Twiglet2]

at GRI they check your bMI at the first appointment and then every time you start treatment (either fresh or frozen) at the consents appointment. They do check your weight again after you are starting stims but that’s for the anethitist to know your weight for egg collection so they don’t stop things if you are over. Right now even when you get to the top and they do your ARt and consents appointment and they say call with your next period to start it is taking some people up to 5 months to get a slot where they can fit you in (nhs or self funding), it took me 3 months paying private to get in and I’m finally in for March (hopefully!) so just to prepare you even after you reach the top of the list it could be another few months before you get started as they are super busy (I’ve not heard of it this busy in years!!). You do get offered one free counselling session at the start, ours was kinda ‘mandatory’ as we were using donor sperm but I think if not using a donor it’s optional but they are really nice 😊 xx

[Xmishell37]

Hey! I'm Edinburgh and was referred in October...got confirmation letter in the January...then my first appoint was the following June (1 yr + 5 months from referral letter) where they did some tests/BMI/ measurements and my actual treatment month for stims wasn't til August, so it felt like a lifetime waiting, despite a private consultant at the time telling me Edi was less wait time than Glasgow and was 7-8 months, it can vary due to the nature of IVF. My treatment started last Aug so there was also COVID delays. I've been offered counselling on each appointment letter but not taken it up so not sure what it's like, will likely be starting round 2 in May/June this year, good luck 💗

[Bluesky34 in reply to Xmishell37]

I’m so sorry it’s been such a long wait for you. It really does feel like a lifetime doesn’t it. I got referred in May 23, and had my first phone appointment in Nov and kind of was hoping that would be the ball rolling but that call was just to say I’m eligible to be added to the waitlist. I’ve not seen anything about counselling on any letters and just getting a bit anxious sitting waiting and feels like every other week another friend or family member gets pregnant or has a baby. Anyway, fingers crossed for round 2 for you, best of luck and thank you for replying xx

[Xmishell37 in reply to Bluesky34]

It's a really hard wait and I absolutely know how it feels when everyone is pregnant around u! Just makes u feel like the odd one out! I'm going on a hen weekend soon and will be the only sober one so odd one out again 😂 my only words of advice would be go on holiday and make the most of ur freedom just now cos once the process starts it can be all consuming! Then by the end of it hopefully u won't have much free time cos ul be looking after Ur wee one💗 Xx

[Annemarie02]

Hi there,

I’m currently going through IVF in Tayside! Went to the GP in July and got a referral letter in September. Then we got our screening appointment last month (Jan ‘24) - this is when they took bloods for AMH and weighed me and the only time I’ve been weighed so far. Just got a letter for a video consultation in a couple of weeks which is when I’m guessing they will discuss treatment.

I’ve been pretty heavy on this forum trying to find timings over the last few months so I know how you feel!

We haven’t been for counselling yet but I know this is something that they offer and that we will probably take as some days I am fine while other days are more difficult!

I also wanted to add that ever since I’ve met my (now) husband 5 years ago, I’ve known that we would have to go through this route so we’ve had a lot of years to prepare for this which I do feel lucky for despite the circumstances.

It’s nice to find a thread with women from Scotland going through the same process. Good luck to you!!