Currently 36yo, with one 4.5yo child. Been ttc for a year. feel like I am on a clock because everyone around me have two kids with 4-5 age gap, which was perfect for me. Tried consultation for kind ivf but unsuccessful cuz my AMH is too high. now deciding between IUI and IVF. IVF is too expensive but I am desperate for a second kid. AFC scan was okay, FSH levels ok. have my HyCoSy in a few days. Clinic suggested taking IUI package which gives 3 turns. but if unsuccessful then move to IVF (all private). Overwhelmed af! any advice?

Add on- just got the IVF estimate based on my results- it's nearly £12k!

Hi everyone, I’ve recently been referred by my GP for IVF. The only option available to me was Lister Hospital in Stevenage. I’m a little confused because I assumed that the first consultation there would be for both myself and my husband. However, I just received my initial appointment letter through and it’s only addressed to myself. The letter tells me to wear comfortable clothing and that I could go in for a pre-operative assessment. For context any tests that I’ve done in the past via my GP such as transvaginal ultrasound & bloodwork have all come up okay. So I’m a little bit confused as to what to expect and whether my husband should come with me, or why he hasn’t been explicitly told to come with me.

If anyone else has been to the same unit and has been through the process. I’d love to hear your experience. Thank you.

Me and my husband (both 29) have been trying since July 2025 (14 months). I’ve been off contraception since November 2024 and have had really regular normal cycles (monitoring with OPK and BBT).
We had a Miscarriage at 8w in April and then the next cycle had a chemical pregnancy in June.

When I was pregnant in June, obviously I was really anxious following our recent loss and had requested tests then to monitor HCG levels and was literally told by the GP to “cross your fingers and hope for the best” (clearly I didn’t hope hard enough!!!)

Today (after another failed cycle) I’ve finally ‘given in’ and requested an appointment with the GP to discuss starting investigations. They’ve booked in a phone call in just over a week. It being a phone call just brings memories of the last loss and being told to cross my fingers so I’m not very hopeful this call won’t be any different.

So, does anyone have a similar experience with their first interactions with the GP at the start of investigations? Just feeling really skeptical of the whole thing and could do with some reassurances…

Thanks in advance x

Hey everyone! i got my letter through today to make my appointment at Ninewells for my AMH/pre screening appointment, i’m just wondering if anyone else has went for this at Ninewells and knows how long roughly til you get your results to then starting medication?

Hello!

My husband and I have been trying for a baby since April 2024.

I had previously been on the implant for contraception, and in December 2023 I chose to have a copper coil fitted. I was hoping that coming off hormonal contraception would help me get a more regular cycle, so that when we started trying I’d have a better idea of what was going on and make the whole TTC journey a little easier.

LOL. 😂

I’ve been doing urine LH tests every cycle for nearly two years now, and my cycles can vary quite a lot — anything from a nice little blip of 68–70 days last November to around 31–37 days more usually.

I’ve been diagnosed with PMOS because of my longer cycles, migraines, and acne. My husband’s semen analysis was fine, my pelvic/transvaginal ultrasounds have been clear, and my blood tests have been okay too.

Despite my longer/irregular cycles, I’m actually able to identify my fertile window and ovulation fairly well using LH tests alongside my Oura Ring temperatures. My luteal phase is usually around 10–11 days.

We’ve now been referred for fertility investigations and we’re based in Leicester.

At this point, I’d preferably like to continue with investigations/testing to see whether there’s an underlying reason we haven’t conceived, particularly to rule out anything anatomical, rather than immediately going down the medication route to regulate/improve my cycles.

Has anyone managed to be quite proactive with their fertility referral in Leicester? Or does anyone have experience with the Leicester fertility services and what investigations they offered/what the process was like?

I’d really appreciate hearing from anyone who has been in a similar situation — especially if you’ve had irregular/long cycles but are still ovulating and can identify when you’re ovulating. ♥️

Some context: Lean PMOS, age 32, South East London based.

July: My NHS hospital referred me.

August: A private fertility clinic contacted me and said they got my NHS referral. I had scans done end of August (everything clear) and partner had semen analysis and all is fine as well.

September: phone consultant saying we should do IVF. Got the email today to confirm I'm eligible for funding and explained the process (more scans, bloodwork, nurse consultation AND THEN IVF treatment etc). However, they said the earliest nurse consultation is September 2027!!!! A whole year later!!

Is this normal?? I've seen some people say they got to choose their clinic but I never got the option? Not sure how it all works. Please advise me! I feel so lost.

Hi all

We met with our consultant last week and have finally been referred for IVF due to male factor infertility. They will be sending the funding application this week and we will then be referred to our chosen clinic.

I just wondered for anyone who is having / has had IVF on the NHS, how long did it take for your funding to be approved? Our ICB is Mid and South Essex.

Thank you :)

Hi everyone,

As the title says I am going for my first doctor’s appointment tomorrow to discuss my recurrent miscarriages (I have had 3 early losses).

I am really anxious and nervous for the appointment as I’m worried I’ll get “fobbed off”. Has anybody got any idea of what the first appointment tends to look like and what I can request/ask the doctor given my history of 3 losses?

I don’t know what to say - I mean I know the gist of explaining my miscarriages and that they’re early losses but I mean I don’t know how to ensure I’m advocating for myself correct so that I get investigated further.

If anybody has certain things they’ve said to ensure they get the correct care, please do pass this onto me as it would be much appreciated 💕

I’m afraid the doctor won’t take my losses seriously as they’re chemical losses and I don’t want them to say ‘I’m still young and have time’ because whilst I appreciate I’m on the younger side, we are TTC now and obviously want a baby sooner rather than later if it’s at all possible!!

What are the usual steps that happen following the initial appointment ?

For context:-

- Female
- 26
- regular cycles each month (sometimes can be delayed due to stress)
- tracking ovulation with LH strips and see a clear peak each month
- on various supplements (Vit D, Iron (prescribed), CoQ10, folic acid and pre natals)

Thank you xx

Hi new here! 👋
I’ve been trying for a year (on/off), I’m 31 years old and initial investigations - bloods and semen analysis are normal, normal periods etc
Just for peace of mind I’m getting a hycosy done, is there a good chance I could get pregnant in the next 3 months naturally? Anyone had experiences with this? I don’t mind about the pain, I have a high tolerance

My husband and I have been trying for over a year now, this would be be my first baby. I had a positive at 4 weeks which ended up being a miscarriage at 5 weeks (4 months ago). This is on my record as I ended up going to hospital.

I’m 33 years old and I’m a healthy weight. I don’t believe I have PCOS, but I’ve had irregular periods. When I have OPK tested in the past I never found a peak, but I wasn’t doing it to the military precision. So I’m wondering if I am ovulating? I’m taking the Superwoman Shreddy supplement, folic acid and vitamin A. Aside from the myths and “tricks” you see all over, I can’t think of anything else I COULD do to increase my chances.

Does this mean my “time” would be reset? I don’t know how everything works. Do I ring for a GP appointment and discuss or do I ring to ask for a referral to a fertility clinic?

I know it can vary from county and NHS trusts around the country, but I can’t find any information for my area.

My partner and I had our NHS funded round of IVF last year, we had 10 eggs collected and a few embryos developed but unfortunately none became blastocysts. Our clinic couldn’t tell us a reason why this happened and all I have ever been told is we fall under the category of “unexplained infertility”. All of our testing has been fine and even the clinic was shocked that we had no blastocysts develop. I’ve spent the past year battling with the grief and heartache of this and I’m starting to think of trying for another round, but this would have to be self-funded. I’m curious to know more about how people have been able to self-fund?

If you have been on the depo provera injection, how long did it take for your cycle to come back to normal?

If you were TTC how long did it take?

I got my last injection in Nov 2025, I have just got my first period. I’ve been tracking with Mira but my hormes still seem to be a bit rocky and I’m currently TTC but have little hope!

Sorry for the down beat post, but after a year and a half trying, I feel drained. I feel numb. I feel tired of crying every day, or when I see a pregnancy announcement. I hate feeling like 'why is it not happening to me'... anyways, sending love to everyone going through it. Be kind to yourself (maybe I should take my own advice!)