IVF clinic recommendations from recent treatments

[NV42]

I am 42 and I am in search for clinics preferably in London (but open to go elsewhere if they are indeed good and care about their patients) for IVF treatment with your own eggs.

Most posts (and apologies if I missed the current ones) are from years ago so I would be keen to find out recent IVF clinic reviews / recommendations and what recommendations they would give when approaching and talking to the clinic.

I am also very keen to hear of other women who became pregnant with IVF and their own eggs post the age of 42+ and the clinics they used.

Finally, any considerations, things a woman should be prepared for, research about, be aware of especially if she is 42+ and starting IVF.

I am quite overwhelmed with the costs involved (as we are not very rich) and as NHS covers absolutely nothing for women 40+ and also scared as the more I read, the more I realize that most clinics do not care for the individual and the fact that for them having a baby means the world to them.

PS. I feel obliged to apologize as I also started another thread under conception but it was recommended to me to start it here.
PS2. I have to admit that I have been following this forum for quite some time now and this is the first time I post on a forum online. But you have really created a beautiful network which makes me comfortable to talk about my personal situation and also help in a way I can't others. Thank you all.

[janinlondon]

I wont recommend a particular clinic OP, as my experience is old, but I will suggest that you choose a clinic attached to an NHS hospital. If something goes wrong, a really fast transfer downstairs or a callout for specialists to attend a theatre emergency in the private unit is priceless.

[Si1ver]

I went abroad to Reprofit in the Czech Republic. I've posted quite a bit in the IVF abroad thread about my experience.

www.mumsnet.com/Talk/infertility/3385734-IVF-abroad

[Si1ver]

I should say that I was 37 when I had my treatment, so probably not quite the age range you're interested in.

[HappyHedgehog247]

CRGH has the best results in London for women in your age bracket from looking at the HFEA website (where you can compare success rates per clinic). However, it’s pricey

[Blondeshavemorefun]

Ivi MADRID

Went cycle 3 Dec 2015 - I was 42.5

That failed but had eggs to freeze - unlike the previous 2 uk cycles

Fet feb 2016 failed

Fet July 2016 - bfp EVER in 10yrs ttc

I was then 43 when preg ans almost 44 when gave birth but obv the embryos we used were from my age 42.5 cycle 3

[NV42]

@HappyHedgehog247 thank you very much for looking. I was not aware of the HFEA site (I am so new to IVF). It looks brilliant and exactly what I needed as good reference guide.

As far as CRGH they look very impersonal. I contacted CRGH with a few logistic questions, e.g. on their site under costs they had IVF Cycle (stimulated) £3400 and IVF Cycle (including assisted hatching) £3400 so I simply asked if one would have one or the other when estimating at a high level the costs as it is not clear from the website, and they replied to me that I need to speak to a consultant and pay £200 to get an answer.

That and that alone put me off especially when last night I went to Care Fertility London who answered all my questions for free and they were very nice and polite.

I am thinking that CRGH may have more women above 42 going there, who knows.. but I think that at a clinic where they only see you as a money cow, there is more room for mistakes and unsuccessful repeated cycles.. Maybe I am new to this and this is why I decided to start discussing on mumsnet.

[Iwantaunicorn]

We went to INVICTA clinic in Poland last year. They were very reasonably priced (we went for the package that included all my meds) and very helpful. I’m not the age range you’re looking for, but they have very good results overall, and I felt that they were very focused on doing everything to help me achieve a BFP, not just after my money if that makes sense!

[PipsM]

We had IVF at the agora in Hove. Not in your locality and I was 37 but had low amh, I only produced 2 eggs with the first cycle but have a gorgeous 5 month old son from the one that got to blast. Probably not helpful for you with the scans etc you might want somewhere London based but maybe for someone else reading this thread? They were really supportive and I know others who used them also agree.

[RubySlippers77]

Have you looked at Hammersmith hospital, OP? We had IVF there three years ago and now have twin boys

www.imperial.nhs.uk/our-services/fertility-and-reproductive-medicine/ivf

Our treatment was NHS but they carry out privately funded treatment too. It's also one of the longest established IVF clinics and is/ was connected to Robert Winston.

We had a loooong wait for NHS treatment so I was almost 38 by the time I got pregnant. They didn't mention this being an issue particularly though as previous tests had shown the reason for our infertility to be DP's low sperm count; you don't say where you're up to in this process but if you haven't had any sort of fertility assessment before (you and your DP) they would probably recommend that you start with that.

I did look at some private clinics in London too - Zita West's was lovely and they gave out very helpful (free) information during their open evening - and IMO Hammersmith did look a bit 'basic' compared to some of the snazzier private ones, but hey ho, can't argue with results!

Their open evening is FOC so you can always attend that and chat to them. Good luck and I hope all goes well

[AsMuchUseAsAMarzipanDildo]

Mr Akande at Bristol Centre for Reproductive Medicine is amazing and has success rates well above the average.

[WhyDoesItAlways]

I used Oxford fertility 2 years ago and they had excellent patient care. I was even asked if I wanted to have a glue applied to the embryo to help it stick (at extra cost). The doctor there explained it all to me and said that she had done some recent research into its effectiveness and she said in her opinion it likely wouldn't increase my chances. She was so honest about it I felt like getting me pregnant was more in her interests that making money off me.

I am not local to Oxford and only had to go there for the egg retrieval and transfer. They have satellite units dotted around for your pre appointments and scans etc... I think one of their satellites is in reading so not too far from london.

I don't know about the cost as we were NHS but I believe this info and their success rates are published on their website.

I got PG first time but obviously don't know how much of that was down to the clinic, my personal health factors or just luck etc... I was also 30 at the time so age not such a factor.

[NV42]

thank you all for your all your responses.. a lot of homework for me this weekend... xxx

[Guio]

Hi @PipsM good to know that there is someone from the group that went to Agora as I am meant to start my first IVF at the end of this month,so nervous about it!!I am NHS funded and I glad I have this opportunity.

[PipsM]

@guio They were great. Being NHS meant we didn’t always get first choice with appointment times etc and they were often running late but I cannot fault them at all. The nurses were lovely, as were the receptionists etc. The consultants were professional but busy and made me feel at ease. Good luck!!