1st IVF/ICSI consultation Jan 2012

[Renvind]

Hi there,

I wanted some advise on what to expect at our first IVF consultation in January next year. I have been seeing my FS for about 8 months so both DH and I have had some tests already...unfortunately due to DH's low sperm count we have been advised that ICSI is our only option...

I have been ttc for a while now, and this year I turn 35...my FS has given me the stats about success rates so I am really feeling some urgency to get started...I am wanting to start straight away!!!! I am really worried that although our first appt is in January, our first cycle won't be for a few months....

I am with QFG, and I wanted to know, with this initial appt is it just with the FS on that day, or do we get referred to a Nurse Consultant at the same time? Or is it usual to have to make another appt with the nurse at another time and not really start the cycle straight away? At my last FS appt (when we received info re: SA results) my FS gave me the QFG info pack..

Also, will we have to undertake a counselling session? is that mandatory prior to starting a cycle? Aaarggh!!!

I am trying not to panic (irrational I know) but I had expectations that come our appt in January, we would have a consultation, informed of the process/protocol, prescribed meds and away we go....depending on where I am in my cycle...now I'm freaking out that I will have to "waste" a couple of months before I get started....

Thanks!!

[Pholi]

Hi Renvind,

Every clinic has different processes, and diferent regimes for different women, too, so I'm not sure any of us can tell you for sure what's going to happen at your first appointment. Once we'd had the appointment with the FS where we decided on ICSI, I didn't actually see the FS again until egg collection. At the clinic I had a 'planning' appointment with the nurse, was given heaps of information and consent forms and script for the ovulation suppressor medication, had costs explained by the accounts person, and then was asked to call on CD1 to book a CD21 appointment. At that one they did bloods, given the injectable meds to take home, and when the results came back I was told to start the first meds. The scan on the following CD2, which started the egg collection cycle process.

So overall for me it will be about 9 weeks from first clinic appointment to when my 'am I pregnant' BT will be in early January.

There's a lot to learn regarding the processes and techniques for injecting yourself, etc, and they need to do the right tests on the right CDs, so you can't just 'get started' instantly. I would not have wanted all of that in one session. We appreciated the time we were given between appointments to thoroughly read all the information, study and sign the very complex consent forms, watch the interesting DVDs, and talk about how we as a couple would handle the various proceses. Eg, which appointmnents I would like to attend with DP and which I would go to alone, that I was pretty worried that I wouldn't be able to inject myself, so DP needed to get his head around the fact that he might have to do it for me (actually, I was fine with it after the first one) and also for me to 'prepare the ground' at work for taking time off at very short notice.

Trust me, those few weeks leading up to the start of the cycle were not a waste!

Regarding mandatory counselling, I believe every state is different again. I don't know what QLDs rules are.

HTH

[Maruschke]

Hiya, I am with QFG, who is your FS?

I didn't need mandatory counselling. We got a SA done for DH right at the beginning. We didn't have a nurses appt for the first IVF cycle because it was an IUI that was changed to IVF at the last moment. With the second IVF, we had booked a nurses appt for CD3. All I did is ring the clinic, say I was CD2 and wanted to start IVF and that I needed a nurses appointment, and I was in later that day.

I hope this helps, QFG have been fantastic to us.

[kerbear]

Hi, I am through CFC and we had our app with FS where it was decided on ivf with a case or urgency to start asap. I had my nurse app the following week and now I am just waiting for my next cycle as I got AF at the time of all those appointments. So ours will be about 6 weeks from when we saw FS to the start of our meds. We are on a 3 weeks cycle so we should hopefully should know the outcome mid feb.
Good luck and I hope you can get started soon.
Baby dust :-)

[Renvind]

Thanks for your replies everyone...I acknowledge I am feeling a bit panicky, so maybe going a bit overboard with "do it now!!"

Thanks for your reply Pholi - it was good to hear how your experience was and that the few weeks was helpful to absorb everything and get things done...I guess I'm freaking out that even though my appt is in January, I may not get to start for a few months...I think this is just part of my own emotional rollercoast with being faced with needing to go through IVF....I think I'm tired of being disappointed every month, and now that I see a possible light at the end of the tunnel, I want it now. Thanks for your answer it calmed me down!
Good luck with your journey....

Hiya, I am with QFG, who is your FS?

I didn't need mandatory counselling. We got a SA done for DH right at the beginning. We didn't have a nurses appt for the first IVF cycle because it was an IUI that was changed to IVF at the last moment. With the second IVF, we had booked a nurses appt for CD3. All I did is ring the clinic, say I was CD2 and wanted to start IVF and that I needed a nurses appointment, and I was in later that day.

I hope this helps, QFG have been fantastic to us.

Hey Maruschke - I am in Brisbane and my FS is Dr Keeping...he has been fabulous so far, a very reassuring man which has been great for me. And the ladies in the office have also been wonderful. We will have to go straight to ICSI/IVF due to male infertility issues - unfortunately very low sperm count with everything...We have been asked to do one more sample but the FS doesn't expect any change.. It's good to hear that you've had a great experience with QFG... Hope you have a fantastic outcome soon!!

Hi, I am through CFC and we had our app with FS where it was decided on ivf with a case or urgency to start asap. I had my nurse app the following week and now I am just waiting for my next cycle as I got AF at the time of all those appointments. So ours will be about 6 weeks from when we saw FS to the start of our meds. We are on a 3 weeks cycle so we should hopefully should know the outcome mid feb.
Good luck and I hope you can get started soon.
Baby dust :-)

Hi Kerbear - that gives me hope...as I said before, I think I'm just scared that I won't be able to start for a few months - that they can't "fit me in" or something like that...I think I just need to give myself a slap...Good luck for next cycle!!

Thanks everyone for your calming replies

[Softkitty]

Hi there!

I am also with QFG at south bank. I have found them fantastic through this whole process.
We had previous had IUI so I think things were not so full on for us in terms of education etc.
I had seen my FS after a previous failed IUI, where we discussed changing treatment to IVF. We had a brief discussion about what was involved, but I was pretty well informed before I went in(read books etc). I was asked to make an appointment when I got my next AF which was about 3 weeks. In that time I had an appointment with the clinic nurse to go through the process of IVF such as how to inject, what was involved with egg pick up and transfer. We were also given consent forms to take away and read, and to bring back signed to the next appointment with our FS. The consent forms with QFG are vey clear and straightforward thankfully!!
Once I got AF, I saw our FS about day 3 or so I think. I was then stared on the pill for a month to plan out my cycle and my next period. This was only because my cycles are so irregular, so if you have regular cycles you may not necessarily need this. Once I had finished the 3 weeks of the pill and AF had arrived, we saw our FS again, had a scan and commenced the injections.
I was offered counseling when we initially talked about IVF, but it is not compulsory! We chose not to, but it's good to know its available if we need it.
I hope this helps you with an idea with what to expect!!
Good luck!!!

[myturn]

I am about to start my second cycle, and it has been much calmer and relaxed this time around - I tell you that, because I think it is difficult at the beginning because you don't know how anything works. I met with my specialist in mid august, and then with the nurses and everything on the same day in september to start my cycle in october... but it all goes quickly!! and then all of a sudden you are stabbing yourself every day! It will go quickly, and get used to waiting! TTC is all about waiting, and IVF is no different to that - it just feels nice to know you are doing SOMETHING!

good luck!

[Renvind]

Thanks Rach82 and Myturn....it seems that I need to prepare myself for a couple of months to start.... I can definately see the benefits of the counselling and feel sure that during the treatment I will need it, but I don't want it to be the thing that holds things up.....I have read so much on the topic and have gotten out IVF for Dummies from the library which was very helpful..

Its so good to hear so much positive feedback around QFG...gives me a sense of relief...Good luck with both of you!!!