Getting my 39 year old eggs checked out - Lister or Bridge clinic, or elsewhere?

[Patsy99]

I'm 39 and ttc. It's been 8 months and I've had one miserable miscarriage. Given my age I want to go for a fertility screen (especially looking at egg quality) and bypassing NHS delays. MNers seem to like the Lister clinic in London but anecdotally I know of someone who had a pretty poor experience there. Any up to date views, or how about the Bridge clinic? Or could you recommend somewhere else in London good for older ttc-ers? Basically I want to find out if there's a problem and we should think about intervention asap or whether we can carry on trying as we are. Many thanks for views.

[SugarMagrundy]

We saw Mr Lavery at the Hammersmith. My story similar to yours. We didn't get far with him as I was unknowingly pregnant at my first appointment with him, so never had to go back or even get any of the tests done! From memory I self-referred as our GP was (quite rightly as it turns out) not going to refer us.

I know everyone says it and it was just irritating, but it is true - you have been pregnant once and your chances are good to be again. So keep that in mind, but do make appointments to see someone if you want to. It made me feel better to just be DOING something.

[jasmeeen]

I am a fan of the Lister clinic and currently 38 weeks pregnant with DC3 after an ICSI cycle there.

I was torn between ARGC and the Lister but in the end I heard so much good stuff about the Lister that I went with them. It is busy and can be a bit conveyer belt like but they know what they are doing. To be honest, any of the good places are going to be busy as the demand is high.

Also, they will treat older women and poor responders which some other clinics won't do. I didn't respond to the first drug they gave me but they didn't abandon the cycle, they tried me on a different drug and with different doses and hey presto, it worked. A friend was at ARGC and didn't respond and they just abandoned the cycle.

I had my screening tests done (I think day 3 of my cycle) in the cycle just before my initial consultation appointment so that there would be no delay in starting treatment.

I'm hoping to go for DC4 next year as time is not on my side and will be going to the Lister again as they were really good with me.

I have heard from a few people who where at the Bridge and were not impressed so I would give that a miss.

[Patsy99]

Many thanks both, v useful. I'll give the Lister a ring.