Finally an answer - and London IVF Clinic advice

[Delta]

Hi all,

I have not been on here much lately, as after over 2.5 years (and 4.5ntnp) I was feeling very sad about the whole situation. We were finally referred for fertility treatment in April 2015, but the letters were lost on numerous occasions, so didn't get our appointment until august for the 23rd of October. After seeing the consultant (Dr Shenfield at UCH) she said given all our tests were fine, we were unexplained, and nothing indicated any problems, so we should try IUI first.

We started super ovulation and IUI two weeks ago (after a scan and Hycosy inNOvember, and seeing the specialist Nurse in January). The Hospital made a lot of mistakes - lost our scan results, took my husband blood for the AMH test (I'd given him the wrong form, instead of his HIV/Haop forms, but the phlebotomists didn't check!!). We were finally feeling hopeful. Fast forward to yesterday, CD 11 scan to see how many follicles had matured from the clomid...

Sadly there were none, the doc could see some dormant follicles but no big mature ones. On top of that, they had now retested my AMH and the results came back as 5.7. Very low for my age (33).

He advised we couldn't do IUI this cycle (but wants to scan me again thursday just to check if the follicles develop late), and given the low AMH (and probably low egg count) he advised us to go straight for IVF. We now have our first appointment 19th May.

Unfortunately because he made it so clear we might be running out of time, this seems so far away, and frankly we have lost a lot of trust in UCH and the was the NHS treats its patients, I have felt like a number all along, and there has been one mistake after the next.

I have spoken to my husband and parents and we have started looking at the option of going private for IVF - we realise this will cost a lot, but I think if it gives us the hope of a family it is worth it.

Does anyone have any advice re London Clinics?

We have spoken to CRGH, who I thought were lovely, they have excellent stats (I have compared many using an excel and funnel plot), but are on the expensive side - they advised £9000 for one cycle.

We have of course looked at ARGC, but I am aware their stats are good as they almost always implant two embryos, if looking at embryos implanted and live births, their stats are no better than CRGH.

I am also looking at the Lister, Care Fertility London (CRM) and Zita West.

If anyone have any advice or experience with these I'd love to hear from you! xxx

 

[Lucyboo]

I've been through the Lister in the past and they were brilliant. Kept on the ball the while time, I was never lucky to complete a cycle with them as my first cycle the 1 follicle released the egg hours before egg collection and was converted to iui and the other 2 cycles were cancelled.

I believe one of the main areas they cover is problems with ovarian reserve as some places wouldn't take us on. I had high fsh so similar to you with regards to ovarian reserve but for me was more the quality than how many.

It's defo worth considering them. When we had our second cancelled cycle we carried on doing our own thing as if there was that tiny chance, anyway we never needed to start the 4th cycle.

Good luck x

 

[Lucyboo]

No idea why that posted twice x

 

[lisey]

I have lower AMH than you and we went through Hammersmith hospital. Some clinics won't take you on with low AMH (unfair in my opinion). Hammersmith were fab, can't complain about them at all, we did have success and made it to 12 weeks but had a miscarriage unfortunately.
You will probably feel like your chances of success with low AMH are low, they will probably tell you that but I have AMH of 2!! and got 11 eggs, 5 fertilised. We did pay about £8500 though because drugs were expensive for us due to needing high dosage.
Loads of luck, hope you find somewhere you're happy with xx

 

[Delta]

Thank you for your advice! We are currently doubting between CRGH, lister and create. Once we know more after this cycle we will arrange some appointments.

Unbelievably though... I still did my clear blue digital ovulation test and it went straight from low to peak! So skipped high fertility. I called the clinic and they told me actually to come in and check and unbelievably I had a follicle at 21mm and my uit drone lining is 10.2mm. The doctor was so surprised given Monday there wasn't a single follicle to be seen, he said it grew so quickly, but everything looked great. So triggered straight away (after running home to collect the injection) and we are doing IUI tomorrow. Fingers crossed this works, otherwise we will move straight on to IVF. Plan is first a private cycle (and Fet if necessary) then we have our NhS cycle (1xfresh 1xfrozen) as a back up after that.

I so hope we will catch that egg tomorrow! I feel so bloated and full atm! Def about to pop

Thanks again ladies xx

 

[lisey]

Wow. Good job you checked. Good luck xx

 

[Browneyed Girl]

I don't have any advice about London clinics but wanted to say that my AMH was exactly the same as yours at age 35 and my first icsi 14 months later (when it was probably lower) was successful. I would also check that paying for private treatment doesn't affect your eligibility for NHS funding as it can in some areas. Good luck for your IUI! x

 

[Delta]

Thanks ladies. I checked my CRG and they only find one IVF and one frozen, and will do so if you've had less than three elsewhere. So we could do a private cycle while we wait.

But first I am going to go on a trip tomorrow (for work but with hubby) and not think about this tww. I will test when I am back and hope this our last shot at something more natural was a hit.

If not I know we still have options. I am just frustrated, as although my amh result only came back this week, the ultrasound I had in November showed an Amtrak follicle count of 5+4, so they should really have referred us for IVF a lot sooner... Not much to be done about it now though.

Fingers crossed for this cycle!! Xx

 

[Blueflower]

The Lister were good but quite disorganized as they are so busy! But you don't have to wait and they are walking distance from Victoria station. Had our CGH there and they were very professional. None of our embryos were good enough to be transferred but at least we have answers now.

 

[phonixgirl]

I can't offer advice as I'm not in London, just wanted to wish you luck and say how frustrated you must feel xx

 

[Delta]

HI ladies, Well things are progressing, we have both our NHS IVF appointment and first consultation with ARGC next Monday, so I am excited to start our IVF journey. given UCH have a 6 month waiting list, we will do our private cycle with ARGC first, as that has the biggest chance of success. Then we have the NHS cycle as a backup. Using all our savings for this, so I am frightened, but so ready to start our family and willing to do whatever it takes.

ARGC will likely do immune testing too, so we may get some answers there as to why we haven't been getting pregnant over the last three years (despite the low AMH, it must have been better to start with, also FSH is in normal ranges). lots of baby dust to all xx

 

[blacksnow]

Delta- good luck with cycling

 

[tinselcat]

I know you have had bad time with a particular NHS clinic, however I have nothing but praise for Guys ACU (I went there both on the NHS and privately). It's based near London Bridge.

Good luck xx

 

[blacksnow]

I have spoken to my husband and parents and we have started looking at the option of going private for IVF - we realise this will cost a lot, but I think if it gives us the hope of a family it is worth it.

If you are considering ivf at overseas clinics, I recommend checking out stats, prices and reviews on eggdonationfriends and fertilityfriends. xx