Hello friends,
Thought I would update you of my IVF journey aged 42.
Went to see a highly qualified and recommended private consultant in Liverpool with 30 years experience of IVF. Expensive session but so relived that he was personable. I feel in safe hands. Its the first time Ive felt like I have a say in my treatment and have an open discussion. My last round of IVF abroad involved picking treatments from list, without much insight and ordering it through an agency that dictated my schedule and missinformed me about the clinics policies and stressed me out while charging me. Once abroad at the clinic due to no previous relationship with them, I felt like I was on a conveyor belt in a factory and very unsure of my options or what I needed to do. I would have been much better dealing with the clinic directly and asking them loads of questions before I went. I expected an initial meeting to go over what was in store... It wasnt so. And nobody had time to make sure I knew my med doses or the changing costs after egg retrieval and PGS of numerous embryos. I was asked quickfire questions about my quantities of progesterone and how long they would last while an embryo was literally being transferred instead of being allowed to relax and take in the special moment. My maths is dire at the best of times! The clinic get the job done, (think Easyjet of IVF) but I never felt reassured, and the language barrier didnt help. Maybe I expected too much.
When I got home I felt alone and was disconnected from the clinic. No email address was given and calls were unanswered. The agency ditched me too. Their 'support' was supposed to end after my pregnancy test. They never bothered to find out the result, or send me a satisfaction survey. At least the clinic did! This forum was my support network from the moment I arrived abroad, to the moment I found out the embryo transfer failed. Im so grateful for that.
So, determined to take control and get medical support here I sought out this consultant after a personal recommendation. He has recommended ERA, and given me the option of ALICE and EMA tests. He said IVF abroad was cheaper as the staff are paid less and work longer hours. He doesn't rate Embryo glue as its just very clever marketing of a nutrient added to the embryo, not a 'glue' at all. Progesterone testing isnt necessary either. We reseached having my frozen 3 Euploid embryos courriered to the UK but it would take 6 weeks and at least £900.
So, I will be doing the ERA in just over a week, and looking forward to getting a blueprint for my next transfer that I will arrange on my terms abroad, and with a bit of experience behind me, contact with the staff now, and support from my new local clinic to prepare me and tend to me on my return. And of course the people here to turn to whenever.
Thank you so much for all your supprt so far. Please stick around! X
Researching clinics abroad : DE 
lots of question marks about my clinic
Recommended consultants/clinics for second opinion
