Infertility

[astrid83]

Hi EDF

My husband and I have been trying for a baby for over a year now, without any success. Today I've made an appointment with my GP to get a referral to King's Assisted Conception Unit. Thought I'd ask for advice here on EDF if anyone has been through the procedure.

I've heard that it can be a good idea to get the referral from the GP but then to get the ball rolling using private clinics. We would be willing to pay to speed things up a bit.

What I'm trying to say is, I'm completely new to all this, and am looking for some advice, what to do, where to go - what to say to my GP when I see her. Right now it all feels a bit strange, and I am so scared of it never working out for us.

[lovelyrita]

Hi Astrid,

Just wanted to say best of luck - I'm now expecting my first, but after initially nearly a year and a half of trying before seeking any help, and then a journey of multiple scans and appointments and quite a bit of worrying along the way. I have to say, after an initial slightly fumbling chat with a lovely doctor at DMC (realise the medical centre is often in for a bit of stick on this forum, and I've not always had completely positive experiences, but in this case the doctor I saw was great), who took things really seriously, I had a very good experience with quick referrals, good explanations of what was happening, and really supportive staff from Kings ACU. There was one strange referral scan in, what seemed at the time, like a 'Being John Malkovich' office block in Waterloo (it was very surreal...), but after that it was Kings all the way.

x

[astrid83]

Thank you lovelyrita! It's reassuring to read that it worked for you. I can imagine that there is a lot of worrying involved, specially for someone like me who worries a lot all the time anyway. Are all the tests done at King's or do you do anything at the GP? Also, I know that it all varies but how long did you wait for your referral?

[greeners]

I've pm'd you astrid x

[Debs123]

Hi Astrid,

I was referred by my GP to the Kings ACU, think the initial appointment came through quite quickly, had to do blood tests/sperm samples etc and then from what I remember (this was over 5 years ago) there was a bit of a wait (months) so was advised that I could pay to effectively queue jump (or go semi private, not sure) but as I was 39 and they might not treat you after 40, we were strongly advised to get on with it. All my treatment was at the unit, sadly only got 4 eggs, only two ferilised and we were told we could pull out as chances were not too good, but we ploughed on and 9 months later our daughter was born! From what I remember all tests were done at the unit, bought all my drugs over the internet, they teach you how to take them though. All initial scans done there and then once past 6 weeks we were referred to the hospital for all the usual scans and back to the care of my GP. We now also have a three year old son who was a complete surprise! Good luck and don't give up hope.

[astrid83]

Lovely to hear success stories, it gives me hope. I think paying a bit of money to speed things up is what we will do to, if still possible at King's. I just really hope that the GP will take me seriously and not send me home without a referral.

[number 2]

they really shouldn't send you home without a referral. they will probably do some blood tests to check that there are no hormonal difficulties and that you're ovulating. they'll also want your husband to do a semen sample for analysis. if you can get this done while you're waiting for your appointment it will help.

in the meantime have you thought of trying acupuncture? we'd been trying for nearly a year when i first went to my acupuncturist, within 3 weeks i'd fallen pregnant, we sadly lost that baby early on but the next pregnancy resulted in our boy! it didn't work a second baby, but that's really down to my age. if you'd like her details pm me.

good luck!

[lucyA1308]

Hello there. I just wanted to say that you don't need to panic.

Probably like you, after about 9 months / 1 year of trying (healthy and young, non-smokers, didn't drink much etc), we (ok, I) began to worry. After about a year, I went to see the GP. He said that we had to be trying for over 2 years before we would be refered.

We then went to see a different GP (same practice, but I took my husband for support, who was slightly less emotional about it all, and the GB was a obstetrics specialist). He then said he would refer us to the ACU at Kings.

The ACU was going through some admin difficulties, with a backlog of corresponance, and various staff away (probably maternity leave, ironically enough) so that whole process took about another 9 months, before we finally got a letter from Kings ACU.

The letter said that when my next period began, I had to come to the ACU for a check-up, and some tests, and then they would take it from there.

I was just checking my diary, to work out when my next period was due, and realised that I hadn't had it. I did a pregnancy test, and hey-presto, I was pregnant with my 1st child.

We had probably been trying for 2 years without sucess, and then finally when we had given up hope of letting it happen as nature intended, it did.

Sometimes, when you stop worrying about it, it will happen.

Our 2nd child happened all too quickly. Sometimes your body needs a bit of time to work these things out. Especially if (like me) you have been using some hormone contraception for a long time.

Good luck, but also do relax. Enjoy all the things you might not get a chance to later. and actually 1 year is not so bad. I have friends who have concieved naturally after much longer than that.

[midivydale]

Hey, same thing happened to me, just as i received my acu letter i found out i was pregnant, our son is 7mnths today. Also to reassure you that my gp was great. I too was worried about being fobbed off but she was superb. She was at dmc, who i know i have been v critical of but not in this case. I couldnt bave asked for better help and the acu appointment came after a few weeks. We had some tests done privately as well due to other medical circumstances.let me know if you want details.

And i know this is hard but hang in there.

Xx

[uptowngirl]

Just a quick one to say good luck with this. We have been trying for four years with "unexplained infertility" and have had two ICSI treatments at Kings ACU - I had a great response - they got 12 eggs each time and we had good quality embryos - but sadly neither of these cycles worked. We will be having our third (and final) treatment with Kings in the new year. All the staff at Kings are great and very supportive and the new unit is lovely and modern (old unit was awful!)

Our referal was very quick and simple and we got seen very quickly within 2 months for tests etc and at that time there was a 4 month waiting list for NHS treatment - but this is dedendant on your PCT not Kings ACU (I fall under Lewisham PCT - who will only fund one cycle). There is no watiing list for "private" i.e. self-funded treatment - our first treatment was NHS and the second was self-funded which all in all cost approx ?4,200 inc the drugs.

I hope my post doesn't sound negatinve - but I also wanted to express the "not so fairytale" side of things and to reccommend Kings.

[astrid83]

Thank you all for the lovely response, it really does help to know that I am not alone. At the moment, it feels like everyone around me are having babies. Even people who don't want to get pregnant!

[Smiler]

If you do pay for tests, find out about the AMH (ovarian reserve?)test. I know two friends (early 30s outside london) who having had the "standard" fertility tests paid for IVF with no success and not many eggs, after which the clinics suggested the AMH tests, which found low reserves, indicating lower chances of IVF success and a different approach to IVF treatment.

Seems unfair that the test wasn't offered before the first IVF cycle.

Hope things go well for you, and you uptowngirl, fertility problems are horrible.

[Saffron]

http://kingshealthpartners.newsweaver.co.uk/Kingshealthpartnersnews/dvwmmh6ykxc10xkt1v7wez?a=1&p=28159475&t=19126065

[esme]

I'd just like to add to praise for King's ACU. Lovely nurses and doctors, all very patient and kind people. Best of luck to anyone going through or about to go through the process, hope it all works out :)