What a week!

What a whirlwind week this has been!!!

It started with our first fertility specialist appointment on tuesday. I had been quite nervous as I set myself certain expectations about what would happen; such as being sent for a scan to check tubes, they would be ok (I just had a feeling) and therefore we would be sent for IUI due to mild male factor. My acupuncturist had warned me that they may try to fob us of with clomid to increase the no of eggs produced since there are such waiting lists that they try to put people off if possible. I didnt want that as it wouldnt help with hubby's morphology. I was adamant though that it would be straightforward - tube check and then IUI. I knew that I would be disappointed if that was not the case so I kept positive that it would be how I visualised it.

Tuesday came and the whole appointment went so fast. The specialist said he recommended IUI but needed to check tubes first. In the meantime, so as not to waste time, the fertility nurse would start filling out our referral paperwork, we just needed to decided on what clinic we wanted to go to! We were also sent for our HIV/Hepatitis blood test screen and I was given the telephone number to book my scan. As soon as the results were back our referral would be made. It was like I had written the script!!

I was told to wait until the first day of my next cycle to ring and book a scan te be done between days 6-10. I thought "well im on day 5 now so it cant hurt to see if I can be squeezed in". In fact I was adamant in my mind that I would be able to have it this week but could only ring between 8 and 9 in the morning so had to wait until wednesday. Still positive that I would have an appointment in the next few days, I rang the X ray department. Wham bam, they gave me an appointment for the next afternoon - thursday!!!

In the meantime, we researched clinics and though there is a very good one down the road, Bourn Hall, it has long waiting lists. The other options were leicester fertility centre and herts and Essex fertility centre. I called all three on thursday morning and go the following info:

Bourn - could not get through but researched on forums and found that in the last few months people are waiting 2 months for their first appointment and then 4-5 months to start treatment.

Leicester - They have no waiting lists, they are currently booking first appointments the week they receive you referral letter and you start on your next cycle. They do however seem to only used ovulation test strips to time the IUI which is no good for me as I know that stress causes me to have delayed ovulation 9sometimes for weeks.
Oh my goodness, I never imagined that this procedure would be such a nightmare!!

Herts and Essex - They also have no waiting lists and are booking first appointments the week they receive the referral letter. They said that each couple is assessed to decide on whether they use medication or not. Just what I wanted to hear. They also sent me a brochure!!

That made it an easy decision!!!