IVF Question

Hi

My husband and I are due to start our first (and hopefully only) round of IVF in January 2014 and I just wanted to know – will we have a pre IVF meeting/appointment with our specialist to go over the procedure, etc. We received our letter for public funded IVF in December and basically haven’t heard anything since so I’m not sure if I should contact them, or will we receive an appointment booking a bit closer to the time?

Any other tips or advice you would recommend to prepare for IVF would be greatly appreciated too.

Thanks heaps

Hi Mellowpuff,

I had my IVF with FA in Auckland. To be honest no one actually really explained the procedure to me, all the doctor said was that due to my very low AMH he recommended we didn't waste any time. We didn't qualify for public funding and because he made us so worried by using the word "donor egg" we went straight to private round.

It was the nurses who gave the most information and I assume you will be given an appointment closer to the time to sign all of the forms. From there they will tell you to call on CD1 so you can go in and collect the injections. Now that may likely differ from one practice to another, but just thought I'd share my experience with you.

The nurse showed me how to do the jabs, and off I went! I found the whole process completely overwhelming, and I was completely in the dark about everything, so I would advise you to read through all the info they give you and ask as many questions as you can. Of course please feel free to PM me if you need to chat too!

My first round of IVF with Gonal-F injections was unsuccessful but six months later we did another round using Clomid and although I only make one egg (each time) it grew into a beautiful, precious wee man who totally rocks my world!

The bottom line is even with only one egg there is still hope of a positive outcome. As hard as it is, relax and rest as much as you can! Good luck!

I am quite sure you will hear from them around October at the latest, when they will send you paperwork and call you to make a time to come in and meet the team and discuss the 'plan'. Best wishes with it all!

Thanks for all your comments ladies. It certainly helps to know other people are going through the same as us.

Although we have already had some fertility treatment with clomid and IUI's, which we have funded ourselves, IVF seems to be a whole other ball game, hence I am a little anxious.

Basically we are unexplained. I have very regular periods and normal hormonal levels, had a lap last year and nothing showed up with that and hubby is all good in his department. But we are getting on a bit (both 37yrs) and I have some compromise to my ovarian reserve, although I seem to have plenty of eggs as I tend to overstimulate on clomid and only had to take a 12.5mg tablet when doing the IUI's. Least with doing the other treatments, I am used to all the jabs and medications so that won't be too bad.

I think I will probably just leave it for the next couple of months and hopefully we will hear from FA Hamilton in October sometime. As you say, the clinics seem to run differently.

Any tips on how to prepare for our IVF cycle? We both exercise regularly, I'm taking to usual prenatal vitamins and both trying to be good with our diet. Would be keen to hear what you guys have done or are doing to prepare for IVF. You can get a bit overwhelmed by all the information on the internet so it would be good to hear what others have been recommended or have decided to give a go.

Thanks again so much, it does really help to get advise from our fellow IVFers.

It sounds like you are very sensitive to clomid. I have done one IUI and i was on 50mg and still only produced one egg, so maybe I am the opposite

Are you talking about the accupuncturist Jackie Burkett? If you are - I agree she is awesome!

I did acupuncture for about 6 months or so last year too and gave up on it - it was getting hard financially and thought I would see how my body would cope on it's own for a while. I've just got back to it in the last week actually, as part of 3 month lead-up to IVF in November.

I don't know of one I could recommend in Hamilton sorry.

This TTC thing is a funny business and quite a miracle when everything actually works it seems!