November 2018
Initial meeting at hospital one with gynaecologist no. 1 (Asian lady). Went well, knew what she was talking about, gave me some initial tests and got things set for next stage and booked ultrasound scans, a semen analysis and fallopian tube check. Also then there did a mini check on my uterus.
(Although she didn't actually book the fallopian tube check - please read Gynaecology investigations begin 2 years in - for the full story.)
December 2018
Second meeting at the hospital one with gynaecologist no. 2 (Asian man). Often a slight communication issue due to the speed of of his speech, but on the whole we were pleased with him. Seemed very thorough, knew what he was talking about, seemed straight out of training but he is up to date on his knowledge. He explained everything in detail and let view information on his iPad and also in diagrams he drew. He explained the difference between IVF and ICSI.
IVF = they take the eggs and the sperm and let them come together in the lab.
ICSI = they still take the eggs and sperm but this version is more precise as they inject prime looking sperm into good quality eggs.
He wanted to check a few details about us so asked us some questions. Again came that question
"Mr Coleman you have a child from a previous relationship?"
Nick replies "No!"
I begin to loose it!
"Sorry, can I stop you? This is the second time we have been asked this question, at this hospital. Can it be put on our record that Nick does NOT have any children. I do not have ANY children. I also know that, if for some reason, our paperwork says either of us have children, we will not be accepted for NHS funded IVF. So can I please ask that our record be put straight. We are CHILDLESS."
The gynaecologist dithers a little bit, turns his screen off and leaves the room as he 'needs to check something'. Nick and I have a little chat whilst he is out of the room. I talk about how I've had enough of answering the same questions all the time, especially when partsnof our notes are incorrect. This is our lives they are messing with.
He returns and adds some new notes to our case. He writes a prescription of Clomid for me - a 6 month dose. We leave via the hospital's pharmacy to pick up my medication.
February 2019
Midway appointment with regards the Clomid tablets. Our appointment time 2:45pm. We arrived to fairly full waiting room and checked in at the reception desk. Thirty minutes pass, one hour, two, two and half hours sitting in the same chair. I go up to the reception desk to ask what is taking so long...
"Sorry there is a bit of a backlog."
I then go for a walk to find a nurse or someone, we must be soon, most people in the waiting room arrived after us. I find a lady and ask,
"Hi, just wondered when me and my husband will be seen, our appointment was 2 and half hours ago?"
"It shouldn't be too much longer," she replied.
Around 5 minutes later we get called through, the lady I spoke to in the corridor was actually gynaecologist no. 3. She invited us into her room and began the consultation, began asking the same questions: How long have you been trying? Age? Healthy lifestyle? Etc, etc, etc. But I wanted to ask a question before we repeated ourselves to a third gynaecologist. (I know, I must have been getting a bit of a reputation now, but I don't fight for our rights - nobody else will!)
So my question was - "How MANY different gynaecologists are we going to see before something more is done to help us with our infertility?"
She understood our frustrations and explained that this was actually her clinic and the reason we had seen lots of different locum gynaecologists, was because she was actually on her own maternity leave. (Wow! Slighty awkward.) She assured us that she would now be in charge of our case and we would see her for ALL our future appointments.
She explained how, due to my blood tests the Clomid tablets were doing their job and an increase in dose would not be required. She also explained that a couple in our position could be good candidates for IVF, however she did suggest that ICSI would be her preferred method of IVF for us.
After we repeated all our details and answered very similar questions again, the consultation was coming to a close, when she asked her final question...
"How is your mental health? Are you ok as a couple? Is your relationship alright through this?" Yes we both replied. She asked us to wait in the room whilst she went to get our next prescription of Clomid, until I said I already had a 6 month supply at home.
"As long as you're sure, we normally only give 3 months at once. I'll see you in 3 months, sorry you had to wait around so long."
May 2019
We were due to attend our end of 6 month Clomid review appointment - CANCELLED. "Due to unforeseen circumstances."
December 2019
Our 6 month review appointment (1 YEAR AFTER WE ACTUALLY STARTED THE MEDICATION!) There's a bit of a delay, I'm looking around to see if I can see gynaecologist no.3 (the one who's department this is) I cannot. We get called through and who is sat there - gynaecologist no. 2. Last time we struggled to understand some of things he said, due to the speed at which he spoke. I was already annoyed as she promised us we would see her for all future appointments. I began by asking why wasn't she conducting our appointment? He was taken aback and said that we could reschedule our appointment if we didn't want to talk with him. He said we could make another appointment the week after to talk with no.3.
We go out to the receptionist and ask for an appointment in the next week -
"Sorry our available appointment is April 2020."
"WHAT? Whoah can you tell ... no..." I walk straight back to the consultation room.
"Look let's do this now. We're not waiting any longer." He gives us the paperwork to apply for IVF, he puts a note our paperwork that I need another blood test - this to check my ovarian reserve. We leave satisfied we've been put forward for IVF, but also wondering why it was made so difficult.
We fill out the paperwork which states that my BMI should be between 18-30. Currently 29.7. After Christmas I must start my health kick. I hand the paperwork in at the hospital, when I attend for my blood test. I ask to have confirmation that gynaecologist no.3 has received our paperwork and that she has sent it on to our chosen IVF provider. Later that day I get a phone call confirming receipt and that it has been faxed over to the IVF funder will either confirm or deny our IVF application.
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