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?

[Serendipity24]

Welcome to the forum, @BekkiAnne

We didn't ask for the PA to be switched, but got ours changed by them because apparently she moved to a different department. I was not very happy about it as the new one was not as good as the previous. Initially she was not very attentive and took longer to get back to us. But she caught up and we don't have any problems now.

PAs are so important to this process, so feel free to request a change if it causes you stress.

[Eiremogra]

Hi @BekkiAnne , I would absolutely advise that you request a change of PA and not give it another seconds thought. This process is stressful enough and if you feel that you would be more comfortable with another PA then just make it happen. You don’t need to feel bad or (if you’re anything like me) overthink it. Im
not sure what stage you’re at but regardless, moving forward you will be in constant contact with your PA and you need to feel that they are reliable and there for you. End of the day,it’s what you’re paying for right! Don’t let this be a source of anxiety, I’m sure you have a lot more important things to worry about. Good luck xxx

[LucyFab]

Totally agree with @Eiremogra - we also had some issues with our PA at the beginning but we reached out to her and the IB team and Told them that this is not the level of attention we would expect given the delicate journey we are undergoing. From that email she has been very responsive - I suggest you speak to her or get it changed. Questione from me: anyone from London doing with IB? where did you do the scans and injection? Thanks!

[BekkiAnne]

Thanks so much to everyone, super helpful! I got mine exchanged and am now much happier!
Quick other question: Can anyone tell me whether a mock cycle is required for double IVF with own eggs or is this done for DE normally? Does one just start with the menstrual cycle or does one have to take the pill first? I am trying to figure out my travel plans and only have my next appointment with the Doctor in 10 days... any input would be super helpful!!!

[PinkGold]

@LucyFab I used either Ultrasound Direct or a scan clinic on Harley Street, UD actually pretty good and flexible, IB we’re happy with the quality of the images from there.

@BekkiAnne I had a mock transfer before own egg treatment but not a mock cycle. IB didn’t put me on the pill. If you have questions you can always ask your patient coordinator, don’t feel you have to wait 10 days wondering (and Googling!)

[LucyFab]

@PinkGold

@LucyFab I used either Ultrasound Direct or a scan clinic on Harley Street, UD actually pretty good and flexible, IB we’re happy with the quality of the images from there.

@BekkiAnne I had a mock transfer before own egg treatment but not a mock cycle. IB didn’t put me on the pill. If you have questions you can always ask your patient coordinator, don’t feel you have to wait 10 days wondering (and Googling!)

Thanks @PinkGold - did they also do your injection? Did you have any side effect from the injection? Thanks!

[PinkGold]

@LucyFab a private GP did my injection, I got the prescription via the clinic and then paid for an appointment for a doctor to do it.
I can’t remember any specific side effects, I think I was tired but I was taking other medication too so couldn’t blame it all on the injection!

[Serendipity24]

@LucyFab I had previously used The Birth Company in London for scans. They are very good with lots of availability but a little pricey.

This time I used Ultrasound Direct, but not in London. They are also good.

[Serendipity24]

Just wanted to share an update- unfortunately the "top quality" embryo did not stick for me. I realise I am lucky to have FET to look forward to but it still hurts 😥

Those on a similar boat, did you just go for FET or were there further investigations done prior to that? I have never had anything implanted and so far the assumption for the failure was the poor egg quality (which is true). But now failure even with an apparent good embryo on a DE cycle makes me wonder if I have additional issues.

[Worstusername]

@Serendipity24 sorry to hear that. I am 32 weeks pregnant with DE after a cycle at IB. To give you some background, I had a fresh transfer last year and I also 2 good quality ones to freezer I had both of those FETs - none worked. After the 3 negative transfers, I did have some further investigations before starting our second (and final) cycle. Nothing in particular was found but I did have a different protocol on this cycle - an additional medication, and also a HCG injection prior to transfer. I also had acupuncture immediately after the embryo transfer. We got 3 good quality embryos from the 2nd cycle - froze all of them (due to convenience) and the 1st FET worked. I don't know if it was a result of the changes on the last transfer - I could have just been unlucky with the first 3. Was this your first transfer?

[Cooclette]

@Serendipity24 I'm really, really sorry. I had a similar experience in early January. We had our first embryo transfer using DE in mid December - it was a top grade embryo (5AA) which was transferred fresh. It was also the only embryo we got from that round so we don't have any more in the freezer. Anyway, I had a borderline HCG blood test (it was 20 and needed to be 25) and then a couple of positive home pregnancies tests, but another blood test a week later revealed I wasn't pregnant. I found it really hard as I'd always been told the issue was with my eggs and was therefore convinced DE would work. Anyway, we are using a new donor for the next round and IB have recommended a PGT-A test on any embryos we get as they want to check whether there is also an issue with my husband's sperm. His sample was fine and we were accepted onto the guarantee programme based on lots of tests (on both of us), but they are concerned about the fact we only got one embryo from the first cycle with DE. They don't know why that happened because, as I said, the sperm sample was fine but they are assuming it's because of his age as the donor was in her twenties and he is over 50. Hearing that there might be an issue on his side too was really gutting, but I guess we will have to wait for the PGT-A test... After that (providing we at least get an embryo) we'll know if I can have a frozen transfer. I don't know if they'll recommend changing anything else for me (I've never had a frozen transfer before so that alone is different).

I know it's not easy, I found it really hard, so look after yourself and don't give up hope x

[Serendipity24]

Thank you both for replying and sharing your experiences in detail, much much appreciated

@Worstusername This was my third transfer but first using DE. I previously had two own-egg transfers with double embryos each time and was told that it was the egg quality that caused the failures. I had acupunctures after all transfers too. I also had acupuncture and reflexology in the run up to this cycle.

Did you initiate the investigations or the clinic? What type of tests did you do? I have started reading about it all, so curious. I really want something to be done after three failed transfers, I don't want to 'waste' a good embryo by doing nothing.

Wishing you all the best with the remainder of the pregnancy and birth :)

@Cooclette I am so sorry for your loss. I remember your post a few week earlier. Our embryos were not PGT-A tested because IB thought with DE the likelihood of abnormality is quite low. Maybe we should have done the testing because there are some male factor issues for which we had to do ICSI. The fertilization rate was very good though.

I know how you feel, after being told over and over that our eggs were the problem and how DE would be the solution and then having to face failure again with a young DE. It's like starting all over again without any new information really.

I hope your next cycle with the new donor goes smoothly and results in a positive outcome :)

[Worstusername]

@Serendipity24 I've just read back through my e mails from the clinic last year. I too had own egg IVF (in 2017 and 2018). Double transfer each time but all failures. They were good quality embryos but I was 40/41 so it was still a long shot. Like you, I had high hopes for the DE (especially as I have a child naturally conceived in my early 30's) so I was confident the first DE cycle would work, especially when we got 3 embryos. The extra tests/investigations were a result of a conversation with Dr Castillo after the 3rd transfer failure. He seemed surprised that all 3 had failed and therefore wanted to look at implantation failure in more detail. I did have a notebook with loads of notes but I can't find it. However, I do have e mails with their test recommendations - we didn't have them all due to cost, just the ones that seemed the most important. I had a microbiame test, and the IBgenrif test (info on website) which is a genetic test looking at implantation failure. My husband also had a karotype blood test. I think the micobiome identified that I had a higher risk of implantation failure/pregnancy loss. I think this is why I had the HCG injection, and I think the protocol slightly changed too (I was on an additional medication Vs 1st cycle, but I can't remember what). I also had to have additional progesterone injections following a blood test just before the transfer . Some of my treatment/protocol seemed anecdotal (doctor said there was limited research to back it all up) but from general googling there seemed lots of success stores so it seems.worth doing. I hope that helps with your decision making. Is this embryo your last shot or will you do another cycle? Good luck whatever you do X

[Serendipity24]

@Worstusername thank you so much for looking through your stuff, it is very much appreciated.

My progesterone level was checked two days before transfer and it was apparently 'perfect'.

I feel like the problem with me is that everything seems perfect/okay on the surface and therefore nothing gets investigated, yet I cannot fall pregnant. Even with naturally trying for years, I never even had a chemical.

We have four in the freezer of varied qualities. One is good, rest are medium/poor- one barely made it to the freezer on Day 6. So this is not my last shot, but last shot at a good quality embryo as I see it.

We have consultation with the doctor next week, and will see what he suggests. Thanks so much 🤗

[Serendipity24]

May I ask a question- when do you usually travel back to the UK after the transfer? I definitely do not want to travel on the day of the transfer (T), but wondering whether to come back on T+1 or T+2.

[PinkGold]

Good luck with the next transfer @Serendipity24

I would say travel back from T+1 onwards, but if it is the day after transfer I’d not book a very early morning flight. That’s just me and my preference. I know physically a transfer is straightforward but emotionally for me it’s a big deal and I want a good sleep the night after!

[Serendipity24]

Thanks @PinkGold , you made a good point about the time of travel on T+1