lots of question marks about my clinic

Are you happy or satisfied with your clinic?

I am in Scotland and it is NHS funded.

The problem is that I'm not really happy with my clinic as I do feel like they put very little efforts to find out what could be wrong with our unexplained infertility.

Just failed my 2nd round of IVF and at both times my AF started on day 9 after 5day blastocyst. I was prescribed 1 crinone gel daily after the embryo transferred.

During our appointments I was never told about my AMH levels, NK cell or Progesterone level check before egg transfer etc etc. I found out all the tests and relevant information after I joined this forum. The clinic never mentioned anything to me at all. One point they took blood samples from both of us but didn't tell us what that was for.

I had a severe pain around my tail bone after egg retrieval at both times and I mentioned about it to my consultant in our recent meeting but they didn't care. Whatever we suggested to try differently with our one frozen embryo transfer, the consultant kept saying that none of these tests are scientifically proven etc etc. Only one suggestion was a endometrial scratch. When I asked her about the progesterone level check before embryo transfer she said they don't do but if we want they can prescribe Lubion injections for 12 weeks but we need to pay. This clinic don't provide any other types of progesterone hormone drugs apart from Crinone gel or cyclogest(for frozen embryo cycle). We have one frozen embryo waiting but we're not going to go ahead until we are fully ready. There are a lot of unanswered questions in our head at the moment. Anyway we are quite happy to take a wee break from IVF at the moment after our another devastated failure in December.

Is there anyone who have similar experiences or any good tips/advice for us to take?

[Cinderella5]

I felt that our NHS clinic in Scotland was a very one size fits all approach. I too had issues with bleeding early and when I mentioned progesterone levels not being high enough, I just got told that wasnt possible with crinone! I actually dont think crinone is very good and cyclogest a bit better but I also needed more and had to be prescibed Lubion by my private clinic....its wasnt only after persuing this privately that we got to the bottom of this and its so important! If you can, ask them to check your progesterone levels the day before transfer (even if you have to pay). I absolutely think this is worth it! That way if you do need Lubion you could have them prescibed on embryo transfer day and get them started asap. To be fair, I asked about my AMH levels and everything else that I wanted to know, I always went into my appointments with a list so if you can do that it really helps as you can get side tracked. I always felt like pain but its their job if you feel you need more information. Best of luck.xx

[Hidden in reply to Cinderella5]

Thanks for your kind words.

After reading so many stories on this forum I then was convinced to ask about the progesterone level check before transfer especially my both cycles failed for the exactly same reason.

When we has our WTF meeting with a consultant(who wasn't even our consultant. Our consultant was on holiday and didn't tell us about it), we made a list of questions to ask including all the tests that other clinics carry out or offer. Every question we asked to the consultant came back with the same answer: Any of those tests have been proved to increase the chances of pregnancy.

About the Lubion injections, I know some ladies were given after they had their egg transfer to boost up the hormone level. This consultant told us that we need to use it for 12 weeks which sounds odd to me. And they don't even check the progesterone level so why do we have to use it for 12 weeks when we don't know whether the Lubion injection are needed or not. Big sigh😧

[Cinderella5 in reply to Hidden]

Its bloody annoying isnt it!! I asked about loads of things and got shot down with pretty much everything. I think I would be more pushy now knowing more but it's hard until you discover what is supposed to be done! I dont think you'll get anywhere with NK Cell testing as this is a private investigation for almost all clinics. As for the lubion, that would only be taken for 12 weeks if you get pregnant. If not it's only for the same amount of time as pessaries....dont let them bamboozle you! So you wouldnt need the prescription for 12 wks u til confirmed BFP. Only a couple of weeks in the first instance. It's not cheap but it does sound like you need a boost. If they wont test your progesterone levels you might be able to find a company to do it privately but if not give both cyclogest & lubion a go. We are all different but for my levels to be ok I'm on 2x400mg of cyclogest & a 25mg of lubion every 48hrs. The only other thing I would ask for is prednisolone steroids. If they tell you there is no evidence then ask where's the evidence that it doesnt work....put it back to them!! And where's the har in letting you try them! Good luck!xx

[Hidden in reply to Cinderella5]

This is Platinum information! Thank you so much! I am writing down all this now. You should have been my consultant. 🤣😆 xx

[Cinderella5 in reply to Hidden]

Ha ha ha well PM me or gleam as much information from here as you can!! Progesterone is important for implantation.xx

[KiboXX]

Hi Go Girl S,

Sorry to hear you’re not having a great time with your clinic, I know how frustrating that can be! We had three fresh rounds with one clinic and had a very similar experience, it can be so upsetting especially when it’s something so important.

My only advice is to stamp your feet and stamp them hard and loud. If you want a progesterone blood test, keep asking, be annoying. It’s not an ideal situation but its worth it to get what you need.

Wishing you all the best for your FET when you decide you’re ready.

[Hidden in reply to KiboXX]

Thanks KiboXX. Yeah it is quite frustrating especially same thing happened twice but they don't seem to change or suggest anything difference at all. I'm glad that we asked more questions this time so they know we have better ideas or determination with our FET. Also I will be more annoying and be persistent with everything that I believe it's right things to do. Thanks. 😘

[ttcemmie]

Hey Go-girl. I don't know if it's a NHS vs. private thing (how they treat you depending on how you're funded) or if it's just clinic by clinic, but I felt our local clinic was rubbish too. Just wanted to do the round of IVF and then send you on your way; done. No looking in to whether it will work or not, or why it hadn't worked. The non-local private clinic has done a lot more tests and are more in-depth.

[KiboXX in reply to ttcemmie]

Mine was private but no better. We called it the puppy farm because that’s what it felt like, they have a great reputation because of their name but everything was so impersonal. I could rant on about it all day 🥵

We’ve moved to a new clinic and honestly it’s like night and day. Couldn’t be more different!

[Hidden in reply to ttcemmie]

One of my friends was also going through IVF last year and she was based in Leeds. It was only one NHS funded shot and she became pregnant. She told me that her 3 day embryo was so poor and about to die so her clinic called her and urgently asked her to come in and did the transfer. She was given injections/crinon gel/oral drugs all together.

So I think each clinic has their own procedure protocol. When I asked my clinic if I can get the oral hormone drugs they said they don't do it anymore. I don't understand how they are sure if crinone gel would be working for every woman. They don't even check the progesterone level before transfer. It just doesn't make sense to me at all.

[Corchi]

Hello I’m based in Athens and my clinic is top of the range as is my doctor. A lot of people come here as it’s private but much much cheaper than other places. Total cost is around 3000-4000 pounds

[Hidden in reply to Corchi]

Thanks for sharing this, Corchi. This is good to know as we might need to consider this in the future once we fail all our NHS funded cycles. Thank you.

[Corchi in reply to Hidden]

Sure feel free to pm me whenever about anything here as I live here!

[DianeArnold Partner Nurse Fertility Network UK]

Hi Go-girl_S. Just wanted to wish you well when you do decide to go ahead again. I do have a list of questions I could email you in confidence if you want. You would need to email me at [e-mail] most won't be appropriate, but thee may be a few you can use. Good luck! Diane

[Hidden in reply to DianeArnold]

I will do Diane, really appreciate Thank you.