IVF in Greece

[Millymolly28]

Hello everyone

Short update - TTC for six years, 3 chemical pregnancies, 1 from IVF here in Northern Ireland (no embryos to freeze) we were labelled as unexplained infertility.

After further testing in Greece hubby is found to have high DNA frag and I have elevated NK cells and some clotting issues. We are embarking on a second cycle of IVF this time in Greece.

I’m finding planning a little difficult as I don’t have a bang on regular cycle, I’m either 28-30 days, so it’s a bit of a gamble on what exact date to prebook the flights.

Any advice from anyone who has travelled abroad for treatment would be so appreciated as it’s so different from my first cycle which was controlled by norethisterone.

Thank you so much in advance

[Elmo13]

Hi Millymolly,

When I had treatment abroad, the Greek clinic I was with had partnered with some UK clinics for Ultrasounds so when my cycle started I could have my first 2-3 scans here in the UK. I think I had to be in Greece for around day 7-8 . The clinic were quite helpful with the advice on when to book my flight.

Not sure if your clinic do this too but definitely worth checking with them and asking them what to do.

Best of luck.

[Millymolly28 in reply to Elmo13]

Great advice, I will certainly ask clinic advice regarding flights, thanks so much for responding 😊

[Doodlebug23]

Ho, I’m using a clinic on Spain and never book my flights until my clinic advise to which is r we hen everything is confirmed. It’s almost more torture watching flight prices go up and up whilst I am waiting for the go ahead. And I seem to need to fly in bloody school holidays when prices are already higher, which is a further kick in the teeth!

I have even had one cycle where everything was booked and I had unexplained bleeding a few days before so FET was cancelled. Unless you are willing to be out there for an extended period or waste the flight I’d not book till your plan is confirmed.

[Millymolly28 in reply to Doodlebug23]

You’re right it’s absolute torture watching flight prices rise 🫣😂

Thanks so much for sharing your experiences and great advice

[Chowlady14]

I’ve tried IVF in Middle East (around work commitments) and Cyprus (to try something different and recommended clinic by a couple of friends) and both times they’ve sent me and said egg collection would likely be one day and it’s not it’s been 2-4 days later so I would say try to be flexible and prepare yourself for this. It came as a blow to us both times and then my husband questioned it the second time because he had to be back for work and I feel like they rushed the egg collection because of this and we only ended up with 6 mature eggs so if you can wait do and follow the consultants advise always xxx

[Millymolly28 in reply to Chowlady14]

Yes I was wondering about being flexible with how long we stay, that’s good to know. Thank you for sharing this 👍🏻

[Suki27]

Hiya I am about to start undergoing ICSI in Greece, I've been lucky to take a whole month off to be able to go out for start to finish of whole cycle. The clinic prefer to be able to start and then monitor progress themselves and adjust doses whilst there. My husband is going to come over midway. Understand not everybody is fortunate enough to do that. This also helps with timing but I have been put on the pill to help down regulate so fingers crossed!

[Millymolly28]

Hi Suki

Unfortunately my clinic don’t down regulate which was the main challenge for us…but I went ahead and booked our flights, we will spend two weeks there (I booked flights which can be fully refunded or changed). That’s great that you can be there for a month! Good luck with your cycle!