Instituto Bernabeu Alicante donor eggs - Northern Ireland based

[M1673402]

has anyone used this clinic? I am contemplating using them with donor eggs but am based in Northern Ireland, finding it very difficult to get clear answers on pricing / how the process works / getting prescriptions etc. any help greatly appreciated! Thank you

[Always_Worried]

Morning

I’ve used them and they’re brilliant. You have your own assistant and doctor so you don’t have to deal with a ton of different people and they are brilliant with responding quickly and giving you the information you need at each stage of the process. I used my own eggs so can’t comment on donor but as far as the clinic goes, they’re super professional and really quite caring too when things have gone badly for me. You can get your prescriptions from them and collect the meds from a number of pharmacies or if you are able to get the meds ordered locally then I’ve also done that, however it can be a lot cheaper there. I stocked up whilst I was there just in case it was a positive result and so had plenty left over when it wasn’t.

Again, I can’t comment on donor but for an example of pricing, a UK clinic quoted us £12,000-£15,000 for the treatment, which included scans and consultations but not initial tests and meds. We spent around £12,000 getting everything done over three trips - mine and my partners initial tests, first round of egg collection and fresh transfer, FET after that, all meds, flights and hotel for a few weeks overall. The treatment alone was €5,000 in comparison and it was all tailored to us. The FET was €1,550 each time, instead of £2,800 in the UK we were quoted.

I’d have a consultation with them and get a list of questions. They do charge about €140 for this but it gets taken off your treatment charge at the end if you go with them.

We stayed in Port City and Beach Hotel, which was just a short bus or tram ride away and the area was lovely, short walk to the beach front and promenade and only a short bus or tram to the centre. I’d always recommend them.

Send me a message if you have any more questions though, I’m happy to help x

[M1673402 in reply to Always_Worried]

Thanks so much for taking the time to reply and I’m glad you have had a positive experience with them. I’ve had the initial consultation but found things a bit unclear when it comes to pricing - there was a price given but then a list of things that weren’t included. They have suggested doing a mock cycle and I’m a bit confused as to who this works, does it mean twice the medico. Is neeeed, if there are multiple scans needed at home and then how I even go about this, also no idea how much medication might cost for me and how prescriptions work to actually get the medication here in Northern Ireland and when I asked them it still wasnt clear. Finding it all a bit confusing! Also unsure about chances of success, I felt it was glazed over a little and I did feel there was a bit of a language barrier so really not sure what to think at the moment! It’s such a hard process even at home that at the minute o think going away just seems so much more overwhelming x

[Doodlebug23 in reply to M1673402]

I had a mock cycle and it was just with estrogen and then a scan to see how my body reacted to the meds. Estrogen is really cheap - around £8 a box. I have to pay for scans in the UK although they would’ve been included in Spain. I use Window to the Womb as find them the chewiest at £95.

I struggled getting a pharmacy to cart an emailed script so had them post the original to me, although the clinic recommend using Stork, who were great but add a £60(!) admin fee fur each script.

I sorry a little Spanish so not sure if that helps me with the language barrier as my mum said I hope you understand what he said as I couldn’t! But I do find my PA has excellent English so translates for any medical staff if she needs to as she’s there for all my in person appointments.

I can understand that going abroad can sound daunting, but I went for my initial tests and after visiting and seeing the area and how lovely it is and well connected by several transport options, I think you’ll see that it’s not a negative compared to how amazing the clinic are. Plus the sunshine for me, and just getting away from it all are a massive positive to the experience. Plus I’ve also now from it made an amazing friend Always_Worried 😊😊

[M1673402 in reply to Doodlebug23]

Awh thank you! So how long do you take the meds for a mock cycle if you don’t mind me asking? It is reassuring to know you had no difficulties with getting the meds as that does seem to be a bit of a difficulty for a few people. It does sound like a positive thing experience, can I ask did they give you a chance of success percentage? Mine is about 50% but struggling to see where they get this from. Any suggestions also about number of eggs to be transferred? This wasn’t chatted through either, so my choice between 1-3 and hard to know as the temptation is there to say 3 to maximise chances but I know there are drawbacks to this as well

[Doodlebug23 in reply to M1673402]

Mock cycle is exactly the same as actual cycle. They use it to gauge how you respond and so tailor your actual cycle. So for me last time for FET it was start meds 3 days after period started. Scan day 12 to check lining. Transfer day 20. So on my mock cycle I just did meds then scan, which I went over to Spain for and used it also as a bit of a holiday.

I didn’t ask percentage success, but I am also on the refund guarantee programme. My Dr tells me it’s a very long time since they actually issued a refund.

The clinic are very reluctant to transfer more than 1 embryo. Unless there’s a specific reason to (which my age wasn’t) and it took till transfer number 5 for them to agree to transfer 2. The paperwork I know says 1-3 and I always tick 3!

My Dr (Castillo) has a very kind and impressive bio on the clinics website, and he specially mentions multiple transfers.

[M1673402 in reply to Doodlebug23]

Thank you for this ☺️ That all makes sense. I don’t think I could keep going through the stress of doing the process multiple times after failed IVF at home so I’ve ruled out the guarantee programme in my own head. I know the clinic in general has been great for many people but I guess for me it’s still a massive spend for about 50% chance of success and it’s hard just getting my head round at all! Thanks again for taking the time to get back to me, it does help to speak to others who have been through the process

[Doodlebug23 in reply to M1673402]

I couldn’t deal with the thought of spending so much and having it fail so the refund guarantee programme was for me. I do feel like I’m just chucking money away with all the meds and travel, but I guess that’s IVF!

Good luck with whatever path you choose x

[M1673402 in reply to Doodlebug23]

I get it, it is so much money and I do think the refund programmes are amazing, it did work for a family member here in the UK and obviously if it works it’s worth every penny. For me I think my age is a big factor and just mentally i don’t think I can keep taking the heartache, first failed cycle honestly was so much worse than I ever anticipated! Thanks for your response and wishing you every success, it is such a hard journey! X

[Always_Worried in reply to M1673402]

The pricing isn’t straight forward anywhere really but when the admin team send through the list, it is clearer. The meds weren’t included in the price and there were a couple of things I had to pay extra for but that was because I did some scans and appointments from home but overall, it was waaaay cheaper than the UK and everyone I’ve spoken to who have tried in the UK have said it feels more like a conveyor belt and not personalised at all.

If you’re thinking about success rates then ICSI is actually quite a lot higher than natural pregnancy rates and even higher if you have fertility issues yourself but you’re using donor eggs. Also, the IB in Alicante keep note of everything you have on record and make sure you’re tested correctly and examined correctly at each stage - this was my experience with both me and my partner having fertility issues and so it made us feel like we were really listened to and helped properly. They have also submitted info to fertility research so they are definitely a well regarded clinic.

I understand the worry with it failing, I had my first egg collection with only 2 blasts, the first failed and the second ended in a miscarriage and I’ve never felt heartache like it but I kept going because I just really wanted to have a family of my own and that was always the focus that got me through another egg collection and transfers.

Just for reference, even if you have a good quality egg, good quality sperm that ends up being a good grade embryo, there is only ever about 50% chance of success, which is why they say it’s a numbers game! My last transfer I had acupuncture the day before, used embryo glue, rested the afternoon of the transfer and travelled back the next day, kept to a pretty good diet from there on with light dog walks each day to keep the blood flowing until the first three days had passed and then started to get back into life as normal with the obvious restrictions. No idea if this was what worked or not but it did…

Thanks to Doodlebug23 for the acupuncture and embryo glue advice too, we’ve become friends through our experience at this clinic x

[M1673402 in reply to Always_Worried]

Thank you for this, it definitely is so much cheaper but still just feels so unfair that we have to do this when other people can just choose to have another child and that’s it, so frustrating and hard to make such big life changing decisions and still have so much uncertainty!

I’m sorry for your previous experiences, it is just so heartbreaking. I feel ive picked myself up a little and then its hard to imagine going through it all again, and I am, like you lol, always worried, I think what if it worked and then I miscarried and how awful that would be, I just don’t know how people cope!

Good point about the 50% chance. Our last time we used our own embryo (a miracle we actually got one it seems!) and it was best grade we could get, transferred day 3 but didn’t stick. I am worried I think as I have severe endometriosis and lots of periods surgeries and I think maybe any embryo would not be able to implant successfully, especially as they now suspect I have adenomyosis too. Sorry for the rant, it’s just a stream of consciousness at this point lol, I’ve so so much on my mind with it and finding it hard to make a decision and move forward. Glad you have made a good friend from the experience, it definitely helps to have someone who understands as it is so lonely x

[Always_Worried in reply to M1673402]

Oh I know, some of my friends have had their second baby, my brother had a baby and my partners sister and brother both also had babies in the time we’ve been trying. It’s so hard but it does get better. As hard as this might sound, the more immersed into this I’ve become, the easier it’s become because you learn so much along the way and you just keep pushing on. I can’t say how but you just do. I really understand the fear of it failing and the heartbreak of a miscarriage, I really do. Mine from December is still weighing on me now but you’ve got to ask the question from the other side of it - what if it works? 🙂

I have endometriosis, although not severe. I have a scar also inside from a previous surgery and the IB took note during a scan and made sure it was taken into consideration during my transfers so they are good like that and could advise you along the way once they’ve taken a good look. They always seem to be so unfazed by everything as if it’s nothing to worry about - I guess they’ve seen it all really and have doing the answers through their experience.

Don’t worry about ranting, we all have to do it or we’ll explode! Once you’ve made a decision I think you’ll feel a lot better about having a plan and a focus. Don’t ever feel lonely though, there’s a lot of help on this forum I’ve found from a lot of strong women who have been through it all.

Send me a message if you feel like you’re struggling too, I’m happy to chat x

[M1673402 in reply to Always_Worried]

Thank you, that’s such a good way of looking at things! I fear I’m already becoming a bit bitter, or maybe it’s just the stage I’m in at the moment, it’s very hard being around friends with many kids and the endless pregnancy announcements and not feeling a little jealous! I think you are 100% right and it’s the lack of a decision I’m finding hard at the minute; I wish someone could just say do this or that, I feel like I’ve the weight of the world on my shoulders and I’m so worried whatever I do will be the wrong decision. But thank you for the support, I really do appreciate it xx

[Always_Worried in reply to M1673402]

I understand, I was the same at the beginning of all this and when we’d made our decision and had our flights and our plan in order, it was easier to focus on other things around me.

One thing I’ve read a lot on here that makes sense to me in my bitter days was when ladies say they don’t want someone else’s baby, they want their own. So whilst I get jealous of other people, it’s not their baby I want. It’s made me focus on getting to where I want to be and trying to take the hard times in my stride.

If someone said to you for sure - it’s going to cost ‘x’ amount and you will first have a failed transfer, then an early miscarriage but then it’ll work the third time, would you do it? (That’s what happened to me so just using that as an example). I know it’s different because you can’t guarantee anything but my point is, would you put yourself through some hard shit to get where you want? It’s so difficult and nobody could answer that for you but I know I’d have kept going if this one didn’t work and if it doesn’t end well again (🤞🤞🙏🙏 that is does) then I know I’ll go again. Everyone is different though so you just have to listen to yourself and break it down.

Keep in touch though if you need anything, there’s a lot of support on here and I’m happy to chat x

[M1673402 in reply to Always_Worried]

Thanks so much for taking the time with your reply, I’ve just been thinking about things and it definitely gave me a lot to think about! It’s hard because I’ve my age I feel like I need to make a decision soon and I’m in limbo I think not able to decide and it’s just absolutely melting my head! But thanks for those points, great to have the support here xx

[Always_Worried in reply to M1673402]

I understand - I think when you’ve got a decision and a plan in place you’ll feel better. Don’t be daunted by a foreign clinic though, I don’t speak Spanish and I’ve had no trouble and the pricing and process does get easier as it goes on, it comes together more when you have a personal assistant who is on hand to answer anything and take you through everything.

All the best with whatever you decide though, please get in touch if you have any more questions and good luck with everything x

[M1673402 in reply to Always_Worried]

Thanks so much, really appreciate it and I may well take you up on your kind offer as things progress, thank you x

[Doodlebug23]

Another massive IB fan here. I’m on the refund guarantee program using double donor - feel free to pm me 😊

[Sunshine809]

We're with them using donor eggs on the Guaranteed Birth scheme (they guarantee you a live birth within 18 months or your money back). We have our own Personal Assistant as our point of contact who is really helpful and lovely.

We've found it to be a really positive experience.....quite literally in fact - we had our first transfer on 15th Feb and we've had a positive test result!! I can't quite believe it. Still very early days of course, but we're really hoping this is our time 🙏✨️

We got our meds via an online pharmacy in Greece which the clinic recommended and did the liaison with the pharmacist there, and they were delivered straight to our door. Very easy. We went out to Spain once for half a day of tests, then we needed to be there Saturday to Thursday for the actual first round (sperm sample followed by transfer), although we added in a day either side to reduce travel stress. We used the Alicante clinic. It's such a lovely place and mostly it just felt like a holiday to be honest. A total contrast to our UK experience.

Feel free to PM me if you need any further info xx

[M1673402 in reply to Sunshine809]

Oh wow congratulations that’s amazing!!! Can I ask did you pursue ivf in the uk first? We have had one failed attempt using my own eggs, of which we only got 2 sadly and one transferred, chances were very slim of it working at about 10% so the approximately 50% chance they are quoting with donor eggs really is quite the difference! It is the Alicante clinic we are considering with the endo expert there Dr Moliner. I am a bit worried about the prescription side of things and just all the hidden costs there seem to be. It all just seems a bit unclear and I wonder if I’m throwing money away at this point on what is essentially a massive risk, it is a flip of the coin for me and such a massive expense, it would be worth it if it worked but I feel at the moment it probably won’t and my heart will be broken again with another failed transfer, it’s just so hard to try and wrap my head round it all! Also I realise people who have used the clinic successfully before and now have children probably aren’t on this forum any longer so hard to get a perspective from that side of things too I expect!

[Sunshine809 in reply to M1673402]

Thank you!! 🩷

We did 4 egg collections in the UK. Never got a blastocyst. Did 3 x day 3 transfers and the final egg collection there was nothing to transfer which was heartbreaking, because I'd been following all the advice in It Starts With The Egg and it felt like it was going to make a difference. I think I accepted then that I was turning 40 and my eggs just weren't good enough quality. I couldn't put myself through it again with such a small chance of success.

It was daunting going abroad if I'm honest and I don't speak Spanish but everyone speaks very good English. Our first zoom also felt a bit cold and clinical, but our Personal Assistant really makes up for that as she is very warm and friendly. Our Dr definitely knows what she's doing, but she's all business!

Hopefully your PA can help you with the pricing. We did get quite a comprehensive price list, but one of the reasons we were keen on the Guarantee scheme was that it included most costs (not my meds, or travel and hotels of course), so we felt like we were paying a lump sum and that would cover us for potentially up to three fresh transfers plus all the frozen transfers. It didn't include additional costs for further tests we may need, which I know concerned my husband a little bit, but I pointed out they want the treatment to be a success because they don't want to give a refund or bring the Guarantee scheme into disrepute, so everything they suggest will be with the intention of helping us to succeed in our quest for a child.

If this one sticks we will have 'lost' money as it would have been cheaper to do a single cycle, but for me having the peace of mind that if it didn't work we could go again, and again, took the pressure off and helped me to relax.

There is a private Facebook clinic run by a couple of people who've successfully used the clinic in the past and full of people going through the process or those who have been previous patients of the clinic, so it might be worth joining and asking some questions there. I've found it soooo useful to read about where to stay, how things work, pricing etc.

If it makes you feel any better, I was trying to be positive and believe this would work, but deep down I wasn't sure it ever would for us. And here we are with our first ever positive pregnancy test! I just felt like I wanted to try everything I could to be a mother, and I didn't want to look back with any regrets that there was more I could have tried. They did feel more professional than our UK clinic as well, and like they were taking more care and attention over us and helping us to succeed.

Wishing you the best of luck! I'm here if you want to talk or have any further questions x

[M1673402 in reply to Sunshine809]

Thanks again for all the information, it’s given me a lot to think about and was so helpful! It’s great to hear a positive story and I’m so happy you’ve had good news in the end as I know all too well how hard it is going through some of the things you have. Can I ask do you know the name of the Facebook support group as I can my seem to find it? Thank you in advance xx

[Sunshine809 in reply to M1673402]

Aww thank you 😊

It's called IVF Instituto Bernabeu Support Group. Hope you can find it! xx

[M1673402 in reply to Sunshine809]

Perfect - thanks again xx

[TTC0011]

I guess a different perspective- we very nearly went with them but my last consultation before I was due to book the flights and the Dr didn’t turn up, and in the weeks leading up couldn’t get any emails back on anything so we changed clinics. I was gutted as most people had a positive experience but it was enough to put is off

[M1673402 in reply to TTC0011]

Oh my goodness how awful and stressful for you! It is good to hear that experience too, I have dr moliner who is apparently the endometriosis specialist, she seems ok but consult was very brief and I don’t feel very well informed as yet. Were you happy with the clinic you did chose in the end?