First time ivf

[Mariettax]

Hello

Myself and my partner been dring for 6years for a baby. Finaly after 4 years our gynecologist offered a IVF. That was May 2024 (Omg exciting but nervous)

Had all the scans and test done all good. Im 29 and have pcos , my partner he is 33 and has lowish sper count hence why we struggling.

Now im on waiting list to see gynecologist again and to go forward to clinic which should hear back end September.

Does anyone have any advice on all this or can help and say what to expect and how does the whole process work. Im based in uk and going throught NHS.

[nat55zt]

I just wanted to wish you good luck on your journey. I have no advice on the process since I am not from the UK. So I don’t know if this is true for the UK also but my experience was that you should inform yourself very well because medical staff sometimes isn’t willing to answer your questions. And that they tend to underestimate male factor. I hope your partner is doing everything he can to improve his sperm count. It will be stressful journey so it is fair that both parties contribute as much as they can.

[Mariettax in reply to nat55zt]

Thank you 😊 My partner is very supportive he is taking supplements and keeping good diet. I dont think it has got to me yet that its happening but guess it will on our first app.

Thank you 😊

[JA-fnuk Partner Nurse Fertility Network UK]

Just wanted to wish you good luck when you do start your treatment It can be a bit scary but just take it a step at a time The nurse should explain every thing to you and if you are unsure of any thing just say " Sorry can you explain that again " For more information take a look at hfea.gov.uk "In vitro fertilisation [IVF] " Make sure have people around you for support fertilitynetworkuk.org Access Support for more details

Look after yourself

Janet-Partner

[AdoptedTOWIE]

Hi, I wanted to say good luck and all the best. I'm currently on my first time with IVF too and I found it very daunting before it all began.

I would say, be prepared that the physical side effects of treatment can be quite a lot and you may need some extra time off work (or you may be completely fine!)

I found that I worried more about the process before I started - the waiting around was worse somehow so if you find this stressful at the moment, I can completely sympathise!

[Mariettax in reply to AdoptedTOWIE]

Thank you good luck to you to 🥰.

I think my main worry is that it wont feel all real until you have your first appointment and then still it might be that it wont work or if my partners sperm will be to low and they will suggest a donor which i wouldnt want i dont think. Its one of those that we just have to wait and see. Its a long process but we have to keep our heads high dont we 😊

[dbrjmb]

Good luck on your journey. Not sure if my NHS experience will be similar to yours as sometimes different counties have different rules. So for us once our GP recommended IVF, he forwarded the details of our referral to the clinic. From there we had some blood tests and the clinic did their own initial investigations and the consultant gave us the go ahead to proceed. Then afterwards we had to fill out some forms for the funding to be approved, it took less than 2 weeks to get approval. Once approved I had to ring the clinic on Day 1 of my period then shortly after we had to fill out consent forms. Prepare yourself the forms are quite time consuming.After consent forms the clinic then sent us some videos to watch explaining the process and we had some modules to complete to make sure we had an idea of what was to come. Once all this was completed we then had our appointment letters confirming next steps. And that was just the beginning. well done for getting to this point, but you need to be mentally prepared and have a good support system as this process is very challenging and you will need people to lean on. Best of luck with your journey. I'm currently 5 weeks pregnant and waiting for first viability scan in 2 weeks, all the best.xx

[Mariettax in reply to dbrjmb]

That actually help alot thank you 😊We had few test already like ultrasound, pelvic exam, bloods and there was one more but dont remember what it called. With the fluid inside balloon. Unpleasant one ha ha.

I feel like with all this to get where we want to be were little bit like lab rats arnt we. But it has to be done so they know what they working with.

Im hoping they will explain more for us when we get our appointment. The waiting list office will be getting intouch end of September with appointment but not sure if its to see our gyno or the ivf clinic.