Can anyone recommend a clinic in London for freezing eggs at age 43?

[Runaomi4]

Hi there, I am 43 and have decided I want to freeze my eggs, I'm very much hoping this will mean I can conceive when I find a partner.
I am feeling over whelmed having researched a fair amount of clinics in London and not sure which one to choose, so I was wondering if anyone could recommend a clinic where they have had this treatment? Perhaps at a similar age to me too? Thank you :)

I had IVF at 41 and was told by my hospital (very large and we'll known for IVF treatment) they'd never had a live birth from IVF in a woman over 45, not sure how true this is for other providers. I found it hard but did manage to get 3 viable eggs, just, and went on to have twins but for reasons I won't go into, there were lots of health complications. Everyone is fine now 3 years later but I really didn't realise how much my age made a difference.
If you really want kids don't wait just go for it now, you will never again be more fertile than you are right now! Any clinic agreeing to freeze your eggs at this stage I don't think have your best interests at heart. Good luck xxx

I did use my own eggs btw.

Here are some NHS stats:

Between 2014 and 2016 the percentage of IVF treatments that resulted in a live birth was:

29% for women under 35
23% for women aged 35 to 37
15% for women aged 38 to 39
9% for women aged 40 to 42
3% for women aged 43 to 44
2% for women aged over 44
These figures are for women using their own eggs and their partner’s sperm, using the per embryo transferred measure.

Op, I conceived naturally at 44 so it isn't hopeless but to be honest, why do you not just get on with it by yourself?

The chances of meeting a decent man and that relationship being secure enough to try together is very small too. If you really want a child I think you need to start trying now.

My experience is being a single mum is easier than being married.

I'd agree with what other posters have said, and feel very skeptical about egg freezing generally.

I'm 10 years younger than you and have been through 2 egg stimulation cycles resulting in a total of 23 eggs collected. It sounds like a good amount, but from that we only have 5 good/ok quality embryos. So far we've had 2 transferred and both have failed. Unexplained infertility.

If you really want a baby I'd strongly recommend trying immediately with your own eggs/donor sperm, and if unsuccessful considering donor eggs or embryos.

ARGC have warned you against it because they are interested in their success stats and over 40s dont produce the most viable eggs. Having said that, over 40 your eggs are likely to be less robust and may not even survive the freezing/thawing process. If you are ready for a child I would look into a round of sperm donor IVF rather than freeze eggs and wait.

Success rates are much lower for over 40s but it’s still possible. One round will tell you what you need to know regarding your fertility and eggs, and it may be that you need to consider donor eggs to go forward if your own egg cycle doesn’t work out.

If you want a baby you need to get some donor sperm and crack on with it.

@Moodycow78

Here are some NHS stats:

Between 2014 and 2016 the percentage of IVF treatments that resulted in a live birth was:

29% for women under 35
23% for women aged 35 to 37
15% for women aged 38 to 39
9% for women aged 40 to 42
3% for women aged 43 to 44
2% for women aged over 44
These figures are for women using their own eggs and their partner’s sperm, using the per embryo transferred measure.

The thing is that those stats are skewed by the fact that most women who go for ivf have fertility issues. It may well be that the only fertility issue the OP has is lack of available sperm. But she's not going to know until she gets her fertility assessed.

I had my last child in my 40s and I have lots of friends who did too. But I have other friends who weren't so lucky.

I had my children aged 43 &45 via donor eggs and DH sperm. (many failed cycles before this) So they're not my genetic children, but my birth children. I'm old for going down the water slides at Centre Parcs now, at 53. Having them is just the start.
Things will never be perfect, but other mums/parents can donate surplus embryos to share the costs of a cycle. Having a baby won't stop you meeting a partner, . ARGC will discuss options.

@MintJulia is very much the exception. Conceiving naturally for the first time aged 44 would be like a lottery win. Not impossible, but hardly a financial plan.

@Clymene

Fair enough, I'm certainly no expert on the subject but in my case I was fertile with no issues other than my age, the issues lay with my husband, but it was still difficult to get viable eggs. Regardless what the stats actually are at 43 there's no time to mess around imo.

[quote Moodycow78]@Clymene

Fair enough, I'm certainly no expert on the subject but in my case I was fertile with no issues other than my age, the issues lay with my husband, but it was still difficult to get viable eggs. Regardless what the stats actually are at 43 there's no time to mess around imo.[/quote]
Oh I would absolutely agree with that! Like I said, I was very lucky and many women aren't.

At 43, it's basically try to conceive now or it's never going to happen. If you really want a baby, use donor sperm without egg harvesting.

Personally I think egg feeezing is a bit of a scam anyway, but at your age it's just pointless.

What would be your upper age limit of actually using those eggs?

Don't forget that having the baby is just the first part. I've lots of friends in their 30s who now have very elderly parents / lost their parents in their 20s. You'll always be 40+ years older than your kids which could have an impact down the road.

From what I’ve read, freezing your eggs at 43 to use a few years down the line is highly unlikely to have a good result so you’d just be throwing money and emotional energy away.

If you are very serious about becoming a mum I’d weigh up your options for IVF using a sperm donor and get on with it as soon as possible.

Fertility testing is definitely the place to start.

Be wary of clinics. Some will take your money regardless of your chances. Others will do the best for YOUR benefit rather than their financial gain.

@Twizbe

Personally I think egg feeezing is a bit of a scam anyway, but at your age it's just pointless.

What would be your upper age limit of actually using those eggs?

Don't forget that having the baby is just the first part. I've lots of friends in their 30s who now have very elderly parents / lost their parents in their 20s. You'll always be 40+ years older than your kids which could have an impact down the road.

What an excellent command of maths you have!

You can freeze your eggs and you should do it as soon as possible. I do have some questions, or ideas for you though.

Have you gotten any fertility investigations? To check how your body is doing?
Secondly, have you considered the possibility of creating your family alone? I mean, at some point I realised that what I wanted more than a partner was a child. I had the tests, searched for clinics and doctors, and now I'm doing my IVF cycle alone, to become a single mum by choice.
Finally, I understand you wish your future child to share your DNA but you should be prepared for the possibility that you will need to use donor eggs.

Think about everything, because if you do want a family you have to start making some decisions. Sorry for being too forward, I'm trying to help.

Hello everyone, I want to say thank you to you all for all your responses and suggestions. I really appreciate your honesty. It looks like I have the answer at least that freezing my eggs is not the route to take. I'm going to get my fertility tests tomorrow and have my consultation on Monday.
I am going to Lister clinic in London, does anyone know anything about this clinic? I am also looking at Kings Fertility, both potentially to conceive with my own eggs (ideally) and a sperm donor through IVF. If anyone has any experience or knows anything about these clinics I would appreciate any information/recommendation? I am a little nervous about who I can trust!
Thank you very much

@Clymene said what I was going to.

At 43 your body could already be entering perimenopause and egg production is not great and egg quality is poor. A friend 43 had to get a donor egg. Obviously get checked and look at options from there.

As I understand it eggs are much more fragile than embryos when it comes to freezing. So if you're set on doing something to preserve your fertility rather than having a baby now, as I understand it you'd be better to freeze embryos created with donor sperm rather than just your eggs. Definitely worth asking the clinic about.

I got pg at Lister at 40 (own eggs from collection and freezing of embryos when 37). We saw a Dr Bora and she was excellent. Good luck! Xx

What age would you be thinking of unfreezing them and getting pregnant? Because 43 is already quite advanced.

@ScheisseMinelli
Thank you, I appreciate you letting me know a doctor you can recommend. Congratulations on your journey too x:)