Instituto Bernabeu - experiences?

[Botanica]

Just starting out on exploring this avenue after four failed attempts at IVF. It still feels like a large leap to make as I still had hope that I might be successful with my own eggs but starting to come to terms with this and now looking into alternate options.

My clinic works closely with IB in Spain, and I'd love to hear experiences from anyone who has been through a donor cycle with them. How did you find the whole process? What worked well and not so well? Any advice that you can share?

[lalody]

@Serendipity24 You’re welcome. They may have staff on the emergency email throughout the holidays.

[PinkGold]

@Serendipity24 I was with IB Madrid and got my prescriptions, including the Prostap injection, from Fertility2U. At a push there were also some pharmacies in London that supplied the meds short notice but more expensive.

Remember for Spain 26th December is not a bank holiday but for any doubts there is always an emergency email or number.

Thinking back the most hassle with the Prostap injection was that IB insisted it needed to be done by a doctor. I arranged a private GP appointment for it. I probably could have done it myself but didn’t want to deviate from the plan at all!
I had successful treatment there, hope it works out well for you and others on the thread.

[Serendipity24]

Thanks so much @PinkGold and @lalody You have no idea how helpful you guys have been tonight!

I have already contacted Zen pharmacy and will check out Fertility2U now. DH is a doctor, so hopefully IB wouldn't mind if he does the Prostap injection.

[PinkGold]

Oh that’s handy @Serendipity24 , of course they wouldn’t mind that.
They just went on at me that it had to be someone medically trained as this was trickier than stims injections (and then the private doctor I was paying for the privilege wanted to do it in my abdomen instead of my arm as had been advised by IB). Stress city, I had to argue with her and it needed to be done that day. She had her glasses on top of her head and swooped them down at the last minute saying she couldn’t see what she was doing!

IB used to send my prescriptions to Fertility2U as they had some kind of system going on where they accepted the electronic signature from the clinic, then I rang them and paid for the medication and delivery fee.

[Missdel]

@Cooclette
Thank you so much for coming back to me. I hear a lot of good things about the guaranteed program.

I hope you get some good news next week and those week isn't too stressful xx

[PinkGold]

@Cooclette sending best wishes for your test day when it comes.

[Serendipity24]

Happy new year, everyone

I am on my mock cycle and today is the last day of the medications. Any idea when should I expect bleed to start?

The real cycle will start immediately after this one. Once the bleed starts I am supposed to inform IB and they will let me know the next steps. I was wondering how long does it take from the bleed to the embryo transfer stage?

[lalody]

@Serendipity24 Happy New Year to you too! . I always started bleeding within 24 - 48hrs. I hope it's not too long for you 🙂

As for the time frame, should all your scans a/ blood tests come back fine I think the transfer could take place in about a couple of weeks.

[Serendipity24]

Thanks for replying, @lalody and also for Zen pharmacy recommendation a few weeks ago. They were very easy to deal with, will be using them again if needed. Boots and Asda were being too difficult.

Wow, two weeks from the next bleed is pretty soon. We have been looking forward to this and suddenly everything is gathering pace and looking real 🙂

[Cooclette]

Thank you @PinkGold and @Missdel. Unfortunately it didn't work for us this time, which was our first DE cycle with IB. I got a few faint lines on home pregnancy tests and a HCG blood test result that seemed hopeful (it was 20), which is more than has happened before, but the line kept getting fainter on the home tests and the next time I did a blood test my HCG had dropped and was clearly negative. We are obviously gutted as we were really hopeful and thought trying with DE might work, especially with a 5AA embryo. But we still have two more cycles... Unfortunately, we only got one viable embryo in the first cycle so I'm not sure if this will mean they'll need to find another donor and I'll have to do another mock cycle as we don't have anything frozen - we will be speaking to Dr Castillo the week after next week.

I wish you all good luck with any upcoming cycles x

[Serendipity24]

@Cooclette sorry to hear about the outcome of the first cycle. Hopefully the cycle has given some useful information to the doctor to tweak the next one. Since you had faint lines, at least implantation is not a problem.
There's a range of options that can be done differently depending on your specific case- new donor, same donor but different protocol, different fertilization technique, extra support for you post transfer etc.

Good luck with the next cycle, hope it starts soon.

[lalody]

@Serendipity24 you’re welcome. Sorry I didn’t explain well. The transfer could be around a couple of weeks after your scan. ( the scan was around day 12-14). So it will be a bit longer than a couple of weeks from the bleed I’d say, but it all happens very quickly after the baseline scan.

[Eiremogra]

@Cooclette Im sorry to hear things didn’t go as hoped this transfer. It will be interesting to hear what Dr Castillo says, they really are such experts in this field -no doubt they will have another approach for you next time.
@Serendipity24 i am just a few weeks ahead of you. In the middle of my treatment cycle and going for a scan tomorrow. Hoping to have transfer as soon as next week?! It’s nuts. Waiting all this time and now it’s here - hoping that everything goes well with my scan. My last scan showed a thin lining so my meds have been increased. I’ve had the worst heartburn! Anyone else experiencing this?x

[Serendipity24]

Thanks for the clarification @lalody

@Eiremogra thanks for sharing. How many scans did you have?
I experienced some heartburn but didn't think much of it as I generally suffer from it and take Omeprazole. Now that you mentioned it, it might be the side effects because I had it despite taking Omeprazole.
Best wishes for the transfer next week!

[Eiremogra]

Thanks @Serendipity24 , like you I often have heartburn but this feels extreme..I was awake all night with it. I have omprazole too,must dig it out! So I had one scan during my mock cycle,based on that the dose of Progynova was increased. Doing the treatment cycle now and have a scan on Monday. Tbh I’ve had numerous scans because unfortunately I’ve had to have numerous mock cycles. Along the way I’ve had 2 surgeries for Fibriods and had to have 3D scans after each. Tue 3D scans are fascinating (despite all the delays to my treatment that they’ve caused)x

[LucyFab]

Hello all, would anyone of you be available to share they egg donation experience? I am undergoing treatment with IB in Spain but am struggling to find people who would like to talk about the emotional impact of going thought egg donation to conceive your baby. Please shoot me a private message if you have time or want to share your journey. It would be very helpful. Thank you all in advance!

[Eiremogra]

Have sent a pm @LucyFab xx

[Serendipity24]

So today is Day 13 of my treatment day. I had a scan on Friday and it was okay. They said they would give us two days notice to fly to Spain.

The donor had a scan on Friday and today. On Friday IB said egg collection would most likely be at the end the week but would be able to give more information on Monday (i.e. today).

Today they simply said the donor will have another scan on Wednesday. What is the most likely scenario here- egg collection on Friday or Monday? If on Monday, then a Day 5 transfer falls on the following weekend. Are they even open on weekends? I am also worried how well the donor is responding to the stimulation.

I would be grateful to know about your experiences and how long before the collection you were informed. Thanks :)

[PinkGold]

@Serendipity24 I can’t answer all your questions but yes they do open on weekends for embryo transfers. And I would have thought also for egg collection if it was the best day for it clinically but your patient coordinator should be able to advise on that (even if they can’t tell you yet about the flights).

[Serendipity24]

@PinkGold thanks so much for replying. It's reassuring to know they are open on weekends for transfers. I will write to our coordinator for more information.

[Eiremogra]

@Serendipity24 We just had our transfer done on Saturday. The clinic is definitely quieter but there are assistants and doctors/embryologists there to answer all your questions x

[PinkGold]

Keeping everything crossed for you @Eiremogra

[Eiremogra]

Thankyou @PinkGold xx

[Serendipity24]

Thanks for letting me know @Eiremogra, much appreciated, and best wishes for the TWW

[BekkiAnne]

Hey ladies! I am new to this forum...
Anyone who has requested to switch PA at IB? I feel not so great about mine....not sure what to do. She seems stressed out and cold and makes lots of mistakes....
Any answer is much appreciated!!