When to ask to go to an IVF clinic

Hi there,

Have just joined this forum today so am new to all this.

I am 39.5 years old and my husband and I have been TTC for around 9months. I have been to my doctor and gone for several tests to check everything works and is in the right place and my egg count is good, my insides are fine and my cycle is fine. My husband has been and done his sperm analysis and all is clear there.

Given my age I know it can take longer to conceive but was wondering if anyone had any advice on when you should seek to get a referral from your doc to go to an IVF clinic (I think that is how it works in NSW) and what is involved once you get the referral? Is it just a matter of picking a doctor at the IVF clinic and going for a consult or what.

Apologies for my ignorance, as I said I am new to this and am a little nervous at the same time.

I look forward to any advice or information you can give me.

thanks

I went to see a specialist (who does IVF as well as other techniques) after 6 months of trying. I was only 32. My thinking was at least I'd know for sure if there was an issue and if he looked and said things were good we would just keep trying.
Specialists can do a lot of different tests that your gp can't do as well. I would think about going sooner rather than later. It doesn't have to mean IVF, but it will be a much more thorough check up. I was always told that before 35 you should wait 12 months before going to a specialist and after 35 you should go after 6 months.

I was 34 when I got a referral from my Ob to start IVF (my Ob and the IVF Dr are in the same office).

By the time I then had all the necessary testing done (including exploratory surgery to check all my insides seemed fine) it was almost another 12 months before I had my first full IVF cycle. So I was 35 at that stage and didn't successfully fall pregnant until I had undergone my 3 embryo transfer cycle (which took about 4 months in total) so I was 36 when my DD was born.

At your age I would be asking for a referral as by the time you 'start' the process you would be in your 40's and then things start to change in terms of success rates etc.

Good luck with your journey :)

The standard protocol is to wait 12 months if you're under 35 and 6 months if you're 35+. There are exceptions to that though (eg you can go earlier if you have a pre-diagnosed issue or evidence of back-to-back annovulatory cycles).

At your age, I'd be asking my GP for a referral ASAP. I only waited 6 months last year (36yo and diagnosed with endo). I waited 12 months when we were TTC#1 (31yo and no known issues, although I did suspect endo but several GPs had dismissed the idea).

Thank you so much for your replies. Sounds like I should be asking my GP for that referral straight away.

What is involved with your first visit to the IVF and do you get to choose a doctor do you know?

thanks

Depends on how your GP refers you. Mine just referred me to the clinic, not a specific Dr, so when I called the clinic they picked a Dr for me. If you have an idea about what your issues may be, you could spend some time on google to find out who might be good. Only problem is, there's not a lot of info out there because of the websites worrying about being sued. Otherwise, just discuss with your GP and try whichever FS they recommend. My GP said they're all the same, which isn't true, but there are some GPs out there who know who's best for treating various issues.