Change clinics?

[Peanutbubble]

I feel so confused. I had a fresh cycle and after 21 eggs collected only 1 reached blastocyst, it ended horribly as I passed an awful clot and then had different bleeding for a week. The clinic gave me no advice about what the clot was (in my head it was the embryo) the nurses just kept telling me to carry on until my test date. I haven’t had any answers from the clinic and now my doctor’s review is not until 11th aug. So I had a week of pain and heavy bleeding and mental torture, now I have to wait another 2 weeks. I feel like the aftercare is non existent. I have never been told of my blood results, monitoring scan results other than keep on going so 21 eggs was a massive surprise. But if I change clinics, I feel like I would be starting from scratch and we can’t afford to. Any views? Is this normal?

[Sweethear]

Am so sorry for what you are going through. I feel your pain and understanding you perfectly my former clinic was like this too they never discuss anything with me about my blood test or anything else I never felt good with them but I stayed with them for 4 egg retrieval and 6 transfer all bfn because I was afraid of changing clinic and starting afresh but I made the decision and changed my clinic went to a new clinic that I felt good with after 1 egg retrieval and 2 transfer I had my daughter at age 39.5 in 2018 I still have 1 Embrayo in the freezer to use hopefully I can start that journey in September. So if you don’t feel good with the clinic please change immediately

[Peanutbubble in reply to Sweethear]

Thank you for replying. Did changing clinics delay any treatment?

[Sweethear in reply to Peanutbubble]

Not really the the asked me to to bring my file from my previous clinic and I did

[Marisa32]

I would change clinics for sure. You don't have to start from scratch, you can transfer all medical records and test results if they are recent. I would also do DNA fragmentation test on sperm because one blast out of 21 eggs is a red flag. You want to eliminate any and all sperm issues before blaming it all on egg quality. Also you never know if their lab is so crappy that you only got 1 blast.

[MarchieH in reply to Marisa32]

How easy is it to transfer all your notes from a Uk clinic? I know when I asked to see all my notes they said it would take at least 6 weeks. Thanks in advance x

[Marisa32 in reply to MarchieH]

Damn. What? 6 weeks? I live in the US but I had results transferred back and forth with European clinics (not UK though). Never took longer than few days. Seems like UK operates on a completely different timeline! I can understand if it's NHS and free treatment but not private where you pay for everything.

[soccerkt6]

Hi lovely, this sounds awful. I’m sorry you had to go through that.

I strongly second Marisa’s suggestion to have your husband do a sperm DNA fragmentation test before you go any further. I also had 21 eggs collected and only 2 made it to blast. My husband then had a DNA fragmentation test on the advice of our consultant and it turned out he has very high fragmentation which explained the poor results. He’s been on a strict diet and lifestyle plan now for several months now and they’ll do PICSI on our next cycle now that they know about the fragmentation. xx

[Peanutbubble in reply to soccerkt6]

Thank you both, I will definitely look into dna frag. I just wish I didn’t have to wait 2 weeks for some advice

[soccerkt6 in reply to Peanutbubble]

Yeah, it's really shitty. Ours was five days later which seemed like a good amount of time. Two weeks is a long time to make someone wait after finding out bad news.

[emma2739]

I’m so sorry to hear about your experience it must have been terrible for you. I would definitely look around for more compassionate care as this process is brutal and you need people who will care for you at all stages. I was trying for almost ten years before I had success in a clinic in Spain which was my third clinic. I only say this to encourage you to find the right place for you and your precious future embryos. I do feel that having total confidence in your doctor and clinic can really help you cope. The very best of luck pal xx

[Peanutbubble in reply to emma2739]

It is just so scary and it feels like the first cycle was a waste but it is good to hear that changing clinics hasn’t hindered anyone’s progress.

[Lancal]

I would definitely change. It’s not worth staying. If you think you would look back later and regret not changing, you should find a new clinic now. Good luck!

[Peanutbubble in reply to Lancal]

Thank you. I definitely don’t want regrets, I have enough of them already.

[Beclp]

I changed clinics as I didn’t think I was getting the care I deserved. With the emotional roller coaster IVF brings plus the financial aspect you need to be able to trust your clinic is taking care of you properly.

It was a bit of a wait to get into our new specialist and start the process again but I didn’t feel like I was throwing money down the toilet.

I think you need to trust you instincts on this one. It’s hard to know when it’s your first cycle but you definitely should not be left in the dark regarding your treatment or any side effects you have experienced after a procedure.

Hopefully you will get some answers when you have your appointment.

Best of luck x

[Summertime12]

Sorry to hear you're going through this. Please change clinics. You will not be starting from scratch. You can take all your medical file to your new clinics. Lots of woman do that. If you don't have faith in your clinic and you're not getting the level of care there is no point continuing with them.

Wishing you all the best x

[Hopecontinues]

I'd echo everyone else, please change clinic. I didn't for the reasons you have mentioned and the experience just got worse. I also had 21 eggs and only 1 fertilised and made it to blastocyst. I had to wait ages for a follow up consultation and then I was given 15 minutes including the scan. I decided to try again and the doctor changed a few things, but I've had more help from this forum than the clinic. I did get 3 blastocysts the second time, but the protocol wasn't right for me.On my second transfer, I was having 2 blastocysts put in and they waited until my legs were in stirrups to shout from the lab that one didn't survive thawing - that meant the 2 they were putting in were my last chance. For me that was harsh news, for them it was nothing. They didn't ring me to see if I was OK afterwards, they didn't contact me to arrange the blood test or the follow up appointment I'd paid for. They just sent me a WhatsApp message 15 days after transfer to ask if I'd done a test. I didn't reply and never went back. Then someone in payments rang me to ask me to pay for embryo storage. I said I didn't have any left, but she insisted I did. Eventually after a week of this, she said the storage payment was for the previous quarter and no I didn't have any left.

I'm not really doing this justice, as I'd be here all day telling you how bad the service was and how when I complained after they sat on a message for a month informing the clinic that the sperm donor has a heart defect, but only informed me 3 days before transfer - he said I was his most sensitive client 🤷‍♀️

Anyway, please change clinic. I've since discovered that I have PCOS and needed a totally different protocol. I wasted £20k and had a lot of upset with my previous clinic.

Good luck moving forward. There are some great clinics out there, I hope you find one and have your baby. 😊

[Peanutbubble in reply to Hopecontinues]

Oh how awful, I am so sorry you had to experience such terrible care. There is absolutely no excuse for it. I hope you get your happy ending. I have spoke to the manager at the clinic but it was clear nothing would change so I am on the hunt for another clinic

[Hidden]

I would change clinic. You have the right to know what is going on. This people are completely wrong and not respectful. I am very sorry about that. We all being trough a lot and for sure we need lots of attention and respect.