[Cece280707]

Hi.  I was diagnosed with endo when I was 18 and treated with Zoladex.  Very few symptoms since but now married and desperately want a child.  Have had loads of tests and now have been told that both of my tubes are blocked probably due to scarring.  DH's tests came back normal.  Now looking at IVF but not sure where to start.  Have been told that the waiting list on NHS is 2 years  so looking at private clinics.  Can anyone suggest what I should be looking for when choosing a clinic?

Thanks!

 

[katedoll]

Hiya

Just wanted to wish you good luck in your treatment and good luck in your choosing a clinic. Have you had a look at the HFEA website, and the choosing a clinic part of that?

www.guide.hfea.gov.uk/guide/

Also, look at the county areas on this website and you will find people in your area. You could then narrow it down to a couple of clinics in your area and ask people's opinions or specific questions if you have them.

We found our local hospital who specialised in reproduction (I am in Bristol and the BCRM (Bristol Centre for Reproductive Medicine at Southmead Hospital) did open evenings/days for new people thinking about treatment. We never actually went to any, but I know of people who did and were able to ask questions and meet the staff and embryologists etc.

Your GP should know of local hospitals/clinics who undertake ICSI/IVF/IUI etc and once you know which ones they are, they will no doubt have websites and you can check if they do open days/evenings. (I've always found when you ring them they are really helpful with your first questions). Once you've narrowed it down, you can get a referral from your GP for a consultant there.

Some people on here do travel to London for treatment (I guess as those places have better success rates than local clinics, esp if you are a little older or have multiple issues), ie ARGC (Assisted Reproductive and Gynae Centre, Upper Wimpole St, Ldn) but maybe your first port of call may be your GP for ideas of local clinics/hospitals who do treatment you need.

Also the local 'county' boards on here, will be able to answer your basic question of who does IVF/ICSI in my county? Give the open days/evenings a go too.

If the NHS waiting list is 2 years, good idea to put yourself on the waiting list asap, as 2 years really does fly. Get a referral to get put on the waiting list in the meantime. (Not sure if you can have private treatment before you get an NHS treatment, but ask and see).

Good luck and lots of

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[Cece280707]

Thanks katedoll!  The link was really useful and I'm now in the process of arranging to go to some information evenings for local clinics.

 

[Wraakgodin]

Welcome to FF, Cece!! This is a great website for support, information, laughter and friendship, it has kept me (relatively!) sane though all my treatment. I don't know how I would have coped without the lovely people here. Have a good look round the site, post in whatever section you want and make yourself at home. There are so many sections here with a huge amount of information, so whatever you are going through there will be someone here to help you.

I can't add anything on top of what Katedoll has said as I am based abroad and not familiar with how the UK system works. If you look on the main forum index you will find location boards. You can find others in your area who will be able to provide invaluable advice on clinic's and waiting times in your area.

Here are a couple of links that I think might help you.

A Rough Guide To IVF ~CLICK HERE. This is a very useful guide to the IVF procedure.

IVF General chat ~ CLICK HERE

While undergoing treatment, you might find it useful to join other ladies having treatment at the same time. The Cycle Buddies threads are just for that. Just pop along to the appropriate month and say "Hi" when you are ready to start treatment ~ CLICK HERE

The What Every New Member Needs To Know (includes a list of common abbreviations) thread will give you some info on how to navigate the site ~ CLICK HERE

We also have a newbie night in the chat room every Wednesday where you can meet other new members and a few more experienced (I won't use the term "old"!) members will be there to answer any questions you have about the site. CLICK HERE FOR INFO ON NEWBIE CHAT

Please feel free to ask more questions here, or on any other part of the site, there will be wonderful helpful people there to give you lots of support, information and cyber hugs if you need it. We go through all the highs and lows of treatment together.

Good luck, I hope the information evenings are informative.

Sue

 

[Cece280707]

Thanks Wraakgodin!  I will have a look at those links and have already found this website so helpful and friendly!    Just want I need as I get my head around this whole thing!