I think I need to see a consultant to figure out what's next - can you recommend someone?

[TheUNITUBER]

I have just had my second ectopic pregnancy and am now down to one fallopian tube which apparently looks ok from the outside but no tests have been done to check the inside of the tube.

I have been told no follow-up is needed, but that does not seem good enough and I am wondering what to do.

My (current) plan is to find a consultant who does general gynae but who maybe also knows about assisted conception and see him/her privately. The reason for using someone who knows a bit about assisted conception is that I am going to have questions about maybe using IVF.

I guess what I want is for the doctor to tell me what they would do next. Should I have tests on my remaining tube? Might IVF improve my chances? How long do I need to wait before trying again (lots of conflicting advice on this so far).

I really don't know where to start looking for the right consultant for the job. I've done some Googling and Melanie Davies' name came up - does anyone know if she would be a good person to see? Is there anyone (in London) you would recommend?

Bump

I have no experience but would like to bump for you.

And to wish you luck too.

Thanks

Bump.

I can recommend Mr Trew, you can find his biog and contact details through this link www.92harleystreet.com/meet_team.htm

He was our consultant, and was absolutely fantastic, can't recommend him highly enough.

Good luck

Sorry to hear about your epgs and tube problems.
Yes, Melanie Davies is v good. She is at ACU at UCH with Paul Serhal. (He is very hot on the latest research) They have a very good reputation and its a v well run clinic with really lovely staff. The stats are good - look on both their site and the hfea one to compare with other clinics.

I think its worth going for a visit to a new clinic to see what you think - sometimes they do open evenings etc. One clinic we didnt go to because I went to get a brochure and have a look and the receptionist wasnt v nice at all.

We were at UCH but have now moved to ARGC (we seem to have a very complex genetic issue thats causing lots of problems and is untreatable whereever we go). ARGC is much higher volume (and price!), very controlling but have the most amazing stats.

Hope that helps. If you need more
Good luck.

Thanks to you both.

I have looked at the 92 Harley Street website before - it's an absolute mine of information.

Sticki, I'm sort of stuck as to how to go forward. Is it normal to go see the consultant wherever they consult or to go direct to the fertlity clinic? I worry that if I go to a fertility clinic they will automatically steer us towards IVF, but then on the positive side if we did need treatment we would at least have started things with a clinic... God, getting private treatment is so alien once you've been indoctrinated by the NHS! I think what we need is a general chat about fertility and our options. Would a fertility clinic provide that?

Good luck at ARGC. I have read quite a lot about them and their figures are just phenomenal but I think it sounds a bit hardcore for me (right now anyway, speak to me in a year or two if I still have not become pg). With any luck our only problem is the tube so hopefully we can get there by a less full-on route.

We were at the ARGC - three years ago now - it isn't for the faint hearted, I've heard very good things about Marie Wren at the Lister.

Hi

Sorry to hear you have hard such a rough time.

Just wanted to say that we had out first appointment at the UCH last Thursday, we saw Dr Massimo Ranieri (Deputy medical director) found him to be very helpful, and give his honest opnion in our case to try IUI with clomid for 3 cycles as said IVF is costly and doesn't come without risk, said if we wanted to go straight to IVF then that was no problem, but said if it was his wife in our situation would say IUI. Also they have the highest success rate in the country for IVF/ICSI so that was definitely a selling point to us. The inital consultion for us was £180.

I hth, please ask if there is anything else you would like to know.xxx

Thanks Lynsy. It sounds like they would at least be worth seeing for a chat, then.

It is, of course, entirely possible that my remaining tube is fine. But I just don't want to end up ttc naturally for ages and then going to IVF when I am older and it might be that bit harder...

At least this gives me somewhere to start.
Thanks all.

Hi

I can recommend Claire Mellon at the London Clinic. I saw her to work out why I hadn't conceived for a year (after conceiving within a few months, previously, but miscarrying them all). She's a 'good all-rounder' - checked my hormones, womb lining and state of tubes. A bit tardy getting back to me with results, but I think that was an admin slip up.

Yes, in answer to your question a good clinic would analyse your situation and discuss with you all your options. They should not force you down the line of treatment you do not want or may not need. (And this is the case with follow-up consulations after a BFN too) Personally I would go to a clinic rather than an individual consultant. Initially, we narrowed our choice down to 2 using the internet, then I visited each and then got an appointment at UCH.

I agree - Massimo Ranieri is great - a v good doctor and a really nice man.

Good luck.

Thank you. I reckon my next move is to call ACU at UCH and get a consultation.
Phew. That's that sorted, then.

Yehudi Gordon or one of his team at Viveka, St John & St ELizabeths. I couldn't recommend him highly enough. If he's good enough for Gwyneth and Madonna he is good enough for me, seriously, he's absolutely wonderful and offers a really personal service with excellent results