Failed first IVF... looking for hope and opinions on private funded IVF

[yellowsuncg]

After five years of trying, we finally got our first chance with IVF at Guy's hospital in London, NHS funded. I only had three eggs after retrieval, all fertilised but were frozen because I had fibroids. Two surgeries later, we finally had only one that survived the thaw and developed to an early embryo, transferred on its day 5. It was our only hope and we thought it would work... Unfortunately it didn't. We are devastated and we're thinking about taking a break from IVF and fertility. It seems like this has become my whole life... But if we go for another IVF in the future, it's almost sure it will have to be self funded, and we're so confused on which clinic we should choose. On one side I'd like to continue with Guy's, although I feel like the care I received was not the best. I only had one scan and one blood test before egg retrieval, but I read people having many more, it was very difficult to talk to anyone, I always had to wait for an email, I was told scan before embryo transfer should have been between day 12-14, mine was at day 17... We were always seen by someone different, although all the nurses and doctors were very nice. So I wonder if anyone can tell us about their experience there, if you were self funded and maybe had a different experience. I'm hoping to get a follow up appointment, and I hope they can tell us if there's anything different that we can do next time, different medications, different timing? Not sure what to do anymore...Thanks for any advice, for anything you want to share with us.

[Always_Worried]

Hi - I posted this earlier today in response to a post about IVF outside the UK. I hope it helps:

We went to Instituto Bernabeu in Spain and they were brilliant the whole way through. We had to provide so much information and do so many tests but that was fine for us as we wanted a proper experience with no gaps - we had to have ICSI as we both have fertility issues but it was so worth it.

Just for a reference on cost (which was a huge issue for us), we were quoted £12-£15k just for the treatment in the UK and ended up paying that in the IB for everything - all tests, treatment, medication, follow up costs (such as the egg and sperm freezing process and storage for a year), plus our flights and hotel for our stay, which was about 3 weeks. Of course it depends on where you live and how easily you can fly back and forth but we went there instead of Greece as it was easier and actually, had a better feeling from our consultation.

I’d recommend looking them up, they have clinics all over and submit research to fertility studies, which is why I thought they’d be so good.

I’m only 9 days in after transfer so can’t give a complete success story and it’s actually looking like it may have failed this time (I’ll have to wait for blood results to confirm) but the clinic have been on the end of emails really quick and provided information I feel is tailored to me and not just a general response.

Happy to provide any further info for you.

[Doodlebug23]

I am also with IB the same as AW. They are amazing and I 💯 recommend them. Communication, treatment, facilities, everything. I have a doctor and a PA so always see/communicate with the same people. Feel free to pm me too and ask any questions. I am on the double donor refund guarantee programme x

[Avocado111 in reply to Doodlebug23]

Hi, may I know IB’s cost please? Roughly thanks, I was quote £13-15k in London

[Doodlebug23 in reply to Avocado111]

I’ll message you x

[CarolHasten in reply to Doodlebug23]

Hello D. I'm searching for a clinic in Spain for egg donation. How do you choose IB? I was recommended to IVI Valencia. I have 1k questions...

[Doodlebug23 in reply to CarolHasten]

Hi, I did lots of research. My starting point was a website called egg donation friends. That gave me a list of clinics. That narrowed it down more. I then googled top 10 IVF clinics and cross referenced that. I looked at cost and packages available for those on my shortlist. I decided Spain was the country I felt was the best fit for me. That left me with 2 that I had online consultations with. Please feel free to pm me any questions you have I’m happy to answer whatever I can x

[CarolHasten in reply to Doodlebug23]

Thank you very much. Would you mind to share with me these two clinics? I had aa appointment at IVI Valecia, do you know something about? Thank you again

[Doodlebug23 in reply to CarolHasten]

I looked at Instituto Bernabeau, IVF Spain Alicante and Clinica Tambre. I chose IB and am 💯 happy with them. IVI didn’t come up on my list when I researched. X

[Wishinandahopin]

I can personally recommend IVI london, they weren’t amazing (communication had ups and downs) but were very good and I’m pregnant from my third transfer there.

But I have heard The Evewell, ARGC and CRGH are all fantastic. Also the Lister. You have to be careful as some private places are no better than nhs really.

[Tamaa]

Hi. I would second Wishinandahopin. I had success with one of the clinics she has mentioned, after failure with NHS funded clinic in Manchester. In the successful clinic, I had a blood test every day, and a scan every other day in my treatment cycle. 2ndly, I would advise you not to wait much longer as results go down the hill with passing time. Ivf is tough. It does consume life.. Time, money, thoughts, relations, holidays.. And the list goes on. It seems like everything else has stopped. But in the end with a positive result, everything becomes worth it. All the best.

[LRed]

Totally understand how you feel. We had a failed round at a NHS hospital and immediately moved on to private (CRGH) where we feel we received worse care and certainly got worse outcome in terms of numbers of egg/embryo. I think it's normally to be seen by someone different at every scan either NHS or private. We're looking for a new clinic too x

[Rookery17]

MorningJus reading ur story is kinda similar to mine so I decided I needed a little break after a chemical pregnancy was heartbroken. I realli wasn't happy with the after care when I went for an appointment had a scan etc and was asked wen I do I Wana start the next round. I also felt like jus a number next time we're try this. Had my free go on nhs and now will be self funded is a lot of money and feel that I want my experience to be trailered to me. Even thou they know all our history not the easiest IV decided to go via another clinic/ consultant she's actually looking at my bloods and scan what I wud need medication wise it is expensive each zoom/consultation is 200 we are waiting on final cost but looking at using access fertility they do packages or even gaia don't be afraid to look and speak to other clinics I get a lot Betta feel already I jus hope I get my positive at the end good luck x

[Elsidee11]

hi yellowsuncg, sorry to hear about your first round - it’s truly devastating. I had a very similar story with my two NHS rounds, they were terrible. I was in two minds to move onto donor eggs after they told me my eggs were so poor. I also felt like the level of care was not the best.

I went for a second and third opinion with two other consultants and decided to move clinics as we were moving onto self funded, and wow what a difference. We cannot fault our new clinic, and our third round was our best so far by far. I think sometimes if you have a doubt in your mind, it’s definitely worth exploring other options. A lot of money is involved and you need to really feel comfortable that you’re in the best hands. Good luck xxx

[yellowsuncg in reply to Elsidee11]

Thanks a lot for your answer Elsidee11 and sharing, can I ask you which clinic did you choose?

[GeeGee21]

Hi - My privately funded treatment at Guys was second to none. We went for “consultant-led personalized care” option which meant we had continuity of care, 24/7 access to consultant via phone. They practice evidence based care, they would never recommend anything unnecessary and the price quoted includes everything, no surprises. I’m 41 and had some great news today, I couldn’t be happier! Good luck with your journey.

[Weegran20 in reply to GeeGee21]

Great to hear your good news , wishing you 🍀luck.

[HoneyB11]

I’ve heard good things about the evewell and kings fertility clinic in London. I’m in East Anglia so didn’t have much choice!