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Conception

When's the best time to get pregnant? Use our interactive ovulation calculator to work out when you're most fertile and most likely to conceive.

Original poster

can anyone recommend a clinic for fertility investigations in London?

32 replies

Elemis · 11/07/2011 15:39

Preferably South London
don't really know where to start.
Want to make a phone call today.
Want tests as soon as.
I have put this off for far too long

OP posts:
iwantavuvezela · 11/07/2011 15:40

you might find it useful to go to www.fertilityfriends.co.uk - there are many postings there about clinics in london (there are several on Harley Street), but that forum should give you some up to date information on clinicsl; prices; what to ask for etc,.
wishing you much luck in your journey .....

NoMoreWasabi · 11/07/2011 15:51

The Bridge is the only one I can think of south of the River (but its only just as by London Bridge) but there may be others. Most of the private ones are more central London. ARGC and Lister are normally very popular.

NoMoreWasabi · 11/07/2011 15:54

www.thebridgecentre.co.uk/

Original poster
Elemis · 11/07/2011 16:24

thanks
I have called the Lister, but tbh they weren't really very friendly or explanatory, I'm more confused now! Can't get an appt for another month.

Have called the Bridge centre as it looks like they have cancellation appts, but just left a message on their admissions line.

OP posts:
Original poster
Elemis · 11/07/2011 16:26

thank you both, btw!

OP posts:
joycep · 11/07/2011 17:03

Hi Elemis, if you're at IVF stage or want ovarian reserve tests then fertility clinic is probably your best bet. If however, you are at a stage where you want blood tests and you want to discuss fertility issues and be investigated, then i highly recommend you see a good gynae first of all. I made the mistake of going down the fertility clinic route when i really should have gone to see a gynae. The clinic wasn't helpful because I just wasn't at that stage. You need individual attention to begin with.
Sorry if I have got the wrong end of the stick and ignore me if you do want a clinic !

Rocky12 · 11/07/2011 17:22

A month isnt that long to wait for an appointment to be honest. All the best clinics are booked up months in advance. Have you been to see your GP yet, there are some tests then can do before you go straight to a fertility clinic. Also, have you been given a diagnoses? Lister for me. Although please remember they are a business. The best places have queues and if you want to see someone top notch you will need to wait (but its worth it!)

Original poster
Elemis · 11/07/2011 17:31

Hopefully I have the right thing!
I am 41, been TTC for 3 years, 2 mc.
We already have DS who is nearly 4.
I have had basic NHS tests following on from the miscarriages. Nothing showed up.

Saw the GP, who said only option is private because of my age, and I know there are basic tests that I could get done on NHS, but GP wasn't offering, and tbh, I might as well get them all done in one go, so consultant has all results

Now I am looking for tests to first see if my eggs are ok, and then to check DH.
After that who knows.
Obviously time not on my side.

OP posts:
Original poster
Elemis · 11/07/2011 17:31

any advice greatly welcomed, thank you!!

OP posts:
Keziahhopes · 11/07/2011 17:35

I know Zita West is setting up a new IVF clinic with a great consultant called George Ndukwe who starts Sept, currently director of a Care... it takes 12 weeks to queue to see him at Care - he is that popular! He might not be booked up at Zita West. Think Central London though.

Even with private clinics and hospitals we have had to wait at least 5 weeks with anything, usually 8-12 weeks. That was a shock to start with, but once we had seen a consultant then we were in the system and no more waits unlike at the NHS hospital.

Reallea · 11/07/2011 17:42

I have a friend working for the London fertility centre. She says their success rates are exceptionally high in comparison to other clinics. I believe they are picky about who they take on though, might be a reason for their high success rates, but she did not believe this was the reason. They are central London. Surely worth a tube ride for success.

Rocky12 · 11/07/2011 17:46

Not sure about Zita West tbh, my SIL went there and they gave all all sorts of useless tests, massages etc and the silly girl hadnt yet been tested to see if she was still fertile (she wasnt!).

If it was me I would go to the Lister, say you will take any cancellations and call every couple of days to see what they have. Sometimes just doing something positive like this could make all the difference. You have had one child already (hurrah!) but time is not on your side - please dont mess around with any quacks. My SIL went to a chap who studied her face and said she had 20 different things wrong with her and that is why she wasnt conceiving!

Keziahhopes · 11/07/2011 17:52

Rocky - I would not got to Zita West for Zita West type things either, but Dr Nduwke is leaving Care (where he is Medical Director) to start new fertility clinic and he is very highly rated - especially if suspected immune deficiencies, for older women etc. It is Dr Nduwke I rate - not Zita West, I guess she is just putting up finance - i would ignore all of her side of things!!

Keziahhopes · 11/07/2011 17:52

Heard good things about Lister too.

Rocky12 · 11/07/2011 17:54

Thanks Keziahhopes. Thought that Zita West should have confirmed that my SIL had been medically tested before 'treating her'. I had my 2nd at 41 for what its worth.

Rocky12 · 11/07/2011 17:57

Problem is I think that the Lister is world famous. People fly in from all over the world to see the doctors. It is very much a business, my SIL didnt rate it because it didnt come across as 'spa' like. They were the only hospital who ironically helped her when she went to the US for donor eggs and needed tests this side of the pond. Think she should be very grateful for that!

NoMoreWasabi · 11/07/2011 18:40

Frankly any of the larger fertility clinics should be able to do the tests so I'd probably go with a reputable one that can see you soon. If you do decide you need IVF or similar you don't necessarily need to stay there for that.

Original poster
Elemis · 11/07/2011 18:46

Can someone tell me how exactly they test that your eggs are ok?
And what the other tests are?
FSH?
LH
AMH

OP posts:
NoMoreWasabi · 11/07/2011 18:51

NOt sure they can test egg quality but you can test other things. See for instance here
www.thebridgecentre.co.uk/05_treatments/oar.htm

Keziahhopes · 11/07/2011 19:06

They do an AMH test to see what your ovarian reserve is.

hifi · 11/07/2011 19:24

the lister buggered up my final attempt at ivf/icsi,they did apologise and offered to reduce the bill Hmm

NoMoreWasabi · 11/07/2011 19:26

I don't think the ovarian reserve can measure quality as opposed to quantity can it?

hifi · 11/07/2011 19:26

how about Vivika? it is north london though.

Keziahhopes · 11/07/2011 20:54

AMH is just a test done to see the numbers of eggs left. Some clinics do an internal scan mid cycle to see how many follicles you have instead or as well as an AMH test.

FSH and LH are standard blood tests your gp can do for you, to check whether ovulated - so done at set days in your cycle... usually day 3 and 7 days post ovulation (day 21 if 28 day cycle).

MarathonMama · 11/07/2011 20:57

Dr Taranissi's Assisted Reproduction and Gynaecology Centre is supposed to have the best success in the country. My friend very much recommends.

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