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Just like creating the best, favourite signature ‘Date Night’ dish.
You could have the best products, the fanciest equipment. Or even the cheapest of the cheap -copycat cast iron oven dish, (like me).
One thing is for sure, like the signature dish – steps before IVF treatment can be unpredictable.
In reality, like the lasagne, it’s essential to know what there is to know, before diving in unprepared.
Let’s follow the steps before IVF so we can follow the recipe!
Step One (Visit the shop) 📖
Speak with your GP and discuss the IVF process, your circumstances and most importantly- if you can be referred for NHS-funded treatment.
Remember that your GP is most likely to know your circumstances over a long period of time.
As amazing as a fertility clinic is. There is definitely no doubt the initial consultation with a specialist is worth every moment and every penny spent.
However, a GP appointment is free at the point of use, and you may qualify for NHS-funded IVF treatment.
Your GP may also be able to complete some of the initial blood tests, which can give you an idea of your current ovarian (egg) reserve.
💡 Dainty Gloves Tip: Do you think no one gets free IVF treatment?
People will often listen to the rhetoric (the word on the street) that no one gets NHS-funded treatment.
I was told this! I listened to the information from a well-meaning IVF mentor.
When I spoke with my GP, and after a few administration issues – I was referred for fertility treatment.
My argument is – if we sit on the sidelines and speculate., will we get the answer to the question we need – err, No!
If we don’t visit the shop and sit at home wondering, how will we know the possibilities?
Go go go – to the GP
Need Question Ideas To Ask Your GP?! ✔️ We’ve Got Your Back! Click Here
Step Two – Prepare As Much As You Can In Advance 📖
But don’t stress!
Whether you go down the route of NHS or private fertility treatment – we all know lifestyle changes are essential.
Here are some key changes to make:
👌🏾 – Maintain A Healthy Weight ⚖️
👌🏾 – Eat A Good Mediterranean Diet 🌞
👌🏾 – Use A Good Quality Pre Conception Supplement 💊
👌🏾 – Take Folic Acid 💊
👌🏾 – Take Vitamin D 💊
👌🏾 – Reduce Alcohol 🍷
👌🏾 – Try To Manage Stress 🧘
👌🏾 – Consider Acupuncture 📌 know It Can Be A Pain (sorry)
👌🏾 – Cutback On Caffeine ☕
💡 Dainty Gloves Tip: Switch to Decaf Coffees, Which Is Super Tasty. You’ve Got To Try Redbush or Rooibos Tea – It’s Delicious and Caffeine Free ☕
👌🏾 – Exercise But Don’t Go Over The Top 🏋🏾♀️
👌🏾 – Quit Smoking! This Is easily said but tricky to do. 🚭 (For NHS Funded Treatment, This Change Is A Must!)
Obviously, we know the influence these changes have on the mind and body outside of IVF treatment.
But did you know:
“Fertilisation rates are lower in IVF using sperm from men who smoke. Embryos produced in IVF have a lower chance of implantation (pregnancy) if the male partner smokes.”
Reported By – The Shrewsbury and Telford Hospital
and
“In smokers the implantation rate is reduced by at least 20%, making you less likely to become pregnant if you smoke.“
Reported By – The Shrewsbury and Telford Hospital
Some of these changes are easier to put in place than others.
I know from experience how hard it is to lose weight and say no to one more glas of red 🍷!
But the way to help resolve this is to reach out to your GP and explain the issue. The support they can give can be life-changing and help you prepare for IVF treatment.
Social media can also be a great source of information. You can find all kinds of tips are tricks to help.
At your fingertips you can find anything from Mediation to reduce stress 🧘 to cooking like you’re in the Med! 🍴 or alternatives to caffeine that are super tasty! 🍵
Climb Online!
In the case of the veggie lasagne, the recipe changed as I had fewer onions than I needed for the sauce.
I jumped on YouTube and I stumbled across a video that mentioned using leeks as an onion alternative. I had made leek and potato soup before and had some leftovers.
Thank you, YouTube! 📼
Remember! – never substitute medical advice online for your doctor’s or medical practitioner’s advice – part of the Steps before IVF is always to get what’s right for you 💟!
Step Three – Pre-Heating The Oven 📖
Some recipes required preheating and some say it’s not always necessary.
Heating up the oven before you cook the dish is often open for debate.
Similarly – some clinics will ask that certain blood tests and scans are done depending on the fertility clinics’ procedures.
💡 Dainty Gloves Tip: Check With The Fertility Clinic If The Tests Are Required At Different Days Of Your Menstrual Cycle (Period)
Check if the clinic requires you to fast for any blood tests. This can save you time and money (especially if you are asked to repeat a test due to the test being done at the wrong time of the month). 🤑
Need Question Ideas For The First IVF Consultation?! ✔️ We’ve Got Your Back! Click Here
Here are the types of tests the clinic will do:
Egg Reserve (egg count)
🩸 – AMH (Anti-Müllerian Hormone) Blood Test
AMH levels are a good indicator of ovarian reserve and egg quality. This blood test is done on days 1-3 of your period.
🩸 -FSH Follicle Stimulating Hormone Blood Test
Taken on days 2-4 of your cycle, this blood test also is a good indication of egg reserve.
🩸 -LH (Luteinising Hormone) Test
Will shows the production and release of an egg.
Other important tests
🩸 -Hepatitis B Surface Antigen
🩸 -Hepatitis B Core Antigen
🩸 -Hepatitis C
🩸 -HIV 1 + 2
💧 – Chlamydia Swab or Urine Test
A negative test for this STI is needed as chlamydia can cause infertility. A positive chlamydia test would require antibiotics to be prescribed.
♀️Fertility Scans
🔎 – Pelvic ultrasound scan
This scan can give a general overview of the ovaries, uterus and other reproductive organs.
🔎 – Transvaginal Ultrasound
This scan is more in-depth. A long thin probe will be inserted into the vagina. This scan will be used to check the ovaries, follicle number, and size (follicles are sacs that house egg/s) and look at the endometrium lining.
🔎 – Aquascan /3D Hydroscan /Saline Infusion Sonography
This is a type of internal ultrasound that uses a catheter containing a saline solution to look at the uterus.. This quick ultrasound can help identify polyps, fibroids and other uterus issues.
Antibiotics are given to help reduce the chance of infection.
💡 Dainty Gloves Tip: Aquascan – This Ultrasound can give you some discomfort.
There can be some discomfort and some people (not all) find it painful from the speculum, catheter and water being used.
As the scan uses the water internally bring a little sanitary pad with you to catch the water that leaks. This can be helpful after the scan. 👍🏾
🔎 – Hycosy (Hysterosalpingo-Contrast-Ultrasonography)
Using an ultrasound a doctor will pass a dye into the uterus using a thin catheter. This test can check if the fallopian tubes have any blockages.
💡 Dainty Gloves Tip: Hycosy – This Test Can Leave You A Little Sore!
The fallpoin tubes are flushed with water to see if there are any blockages. it can cause some cramping.
⭐ For physical and emotional support, it’s a good idea to have a companion for this test and a bonus if they can drive you to and from the scan. 👍🏾
🔎 – Hysterosalpingograpy (HSG)
This is a special type of x-ray that is used by the doctor to check the womb and fallopian tubes. The x-ray is taken within 10 days of the start of your period. The x-ray can check the womb and look at blockage, swelling and damage to the fallopian tubes.
The x-ray is performed by placing a fine tube with a tiny balloon at the end into the uterus. The balloon holds the space open and dye is added to allow the doctor to examine the womb and the fallopian tubes.
💡 Dainty Gloves Tip: HSG) (Dye Test)- This x-ray can be a little crampy.
The fallpoin tubes if blocked can get sore when the dye is inserted. ⭐ The pain and discomfort has mixed reviews but can feel like period pain.
🔎 -Laparoscopy (or Lap)
This procedure can be performed so the womb, fallopian tubes and ovaries can be viewed. Performed under general anaesthetics and also known as keyhole surgery, small incisions are made in the abdomen.
Lap can be used for endometriosis, fibroids diagnosis and other abnormalities.
💧 – Chlamydia Swab or Urine Test
A negative test for this STI is needed as chlamydia can cause infertility. A positive chlamydia test would require antibiotics to be prescribed.
♂️ Male Factor Testing
🏊 – Semen Analysis (or SA)
A sample of sperm is collected via masturbation and into a sample pot. Sexual abstinence is needed for 3-5 days.
An embroylogist will look at the sperm and will speifcally look at the volume, motility (movement) and morbidity (shape) of the the sperm for example.
💡 Dainty Gloves Tip: SA – Has the number of days of sexual abstinence influenced the results, especially considering when the sperm is analyse?
Clarify with the fertility clinic what preparation is needed before the SA is reviewed. The conversation to check other areas to refrain from (lifestyle) as well as absintence is a good idea. It’s best to have a clear idea of the quality of the sperm.
💧 – Chlamydia Swab or Urine Test
The fertility clinic will perform a Chlamydia test on the male’s urine. As we know from the previous discussion above, Chlamydia can cause infertility.
Other Blood tests
🩸 -Hepatitis B Surface Antigen
🩸 -Hepatitis B Core Antigen
🩸 -Hepatitis C
🩸 -HIV 1 + 2
The fertility clinic will advise which tests and scans are needed for your treatment.
Step Four- Let’s Get Cooking 📖
I love the sizzle, sizzle of cooking – the ingredients together and it feels like the journey is starting to take shape!
This part will be your first appointment with the fertility consultant and it can be daunting, exciting and everything in between 🫦
During this time the consultant will discuss:
📎 – Medical history and medication you are taking.
📎 – Previous fertility treatments, pregnancies and miscarriages.
📎 – Blood tests will be reviewed and fertility scans will be discussed.
📎 – Any changes or procedures needed before IVF treatment can start.
📎 – Appropriate IVF protocols will be discussed that are relevant to your circumstances,
Stuck For Questions! Here Are Question Ideas To Ask At First IVF Consultation?! ✔️ We’ve Got Your Back! Click Here
Step Five – The Proof Of The Dish Is Not Always In The Eating 📖
Steps Before IVF that are taken are not always black and white.
Like cooking my veggie lasagne there are so many factors that can affect the outcome of the dish.
〰️ Has the recipe been misread?
〰️ Does the dish need to be cooked for longer?
〰️ Once the oven timer goes off, does that mean the dish is truly ready?
There are many factors at play when it comes to steps before IVF. If I’m being honest I thought these steps would be a breeze and I would soon be starting the IVF journey.
The Steps Before IVF Can Vary. Here Are Some Reasons Why:
⚡- Fallopian Tube Blockage
⚡ -Seman Analysis
⚡ – Waiting For Donor Eggs/ Sperm
⚡ – Sexually Transmitted diseases
⚡ – AMH Too Low
⚡ – Fibroids
⚡ – Endometriosis
Well, that was quite a recipe!
Steps before IVF treatment has many variables and it can be overwhelming.
Remember! Take each part of the recipe one by one. It is natural to feel there is a lot to take in.
Ask questions of your clinic, take time out and reach out to your fertility clinic, friends, family and TTC community for support! 🧡
This post discusses the reality of the steps before IVF and how they cannot clearly be defined in black and white.
Steps Before IVF Treatment- How My Failed Signature Veggie Lasagne Helped Me To Stop Seeing IVF Treatment In Black And White
..But take each step one at a time, ask lots of questions and reach out to the lovely TTC (trying to conceive) community.
OTHER POSTS YOU MIGHT LIKE:
⭐The Facts About What Role Does Vitamin D Play In Fertility & Should I Be Taking it?
⭐ Here Are The Essentials Of What Is IVF And How Is It Done – The Beginner’s Guide
⭐ The Cost Of Living Crisis, Tripling Bills? – Are You Wondering How To Pay For Fertility Treatments
FOLLOW ME:
Sources
https://www.shropshireivf.nhs.uk/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/Smoking-and-Conception.pdf
https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/infertility/diagnosis/
https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/hysteroscopy/
https://www.hcahealthcare.co.uk/our-services/tests/semen-analysis
This blog is written based on my own personal experience. The views shared are my own and do not represent the views of any third parties. I have no medical training and I am not trained in fertility or IVF. I simply share my journey with IVF to support others with the aim to create a supportive community so that experiences and information can be shared. From time to time, I may refer to scientific research or academic papers, these should be used as information only. At no time should you rely on any of the information across this blog as medical advice. You should not delay in seeking medical advice as a result of something you read on this site. You should always seek medical advice from a medical professional to support you.