Hi there
my partner and I (same sex female couple) are about to start investigating options for TTC. Has anyone had any experience with Create Fertility in Bristol?
there’s so much info out there on donor conception generally, not to mention anecdotal evidence from friends, some of whom have been successful in conceiving with treatment etc, but we have recently moved quite far away from our friend network up north, haven’t met anyone in the area yet and I feel like we’re striking out into the unknown a bit!
All research done so far suggests as I am 33 with no known fertility issues and am a “healthy” BMI, it looks like IUI would be a sensible starting point, assuming nothing shows up on the initial investigations but I’m aware private health care is a profit making enterprise, and a lot of the clinics seem very keen on promoting IVF. Not to mention three cycle packages coming to an end after a successful clinical pregnancy, regardless of whether that actually results in a birth!
I’m feeling fairly anxious as it all feels like such a huge gamble 😳
if anyone has any advice or experience to share, would love to hear from you.
thank you!
On the Mumsnet Donor Conception forum, you can discuss sperm and egg donation with people in the same situation.
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Quickdraw23 · 26/02/2023 11:36
TunicFox · 27/02/2023 08:27
Hi OP.
You are right that basically it is a huge gamble, whatever you choose to do.
I'm a similar age to you, healthy, and doing IUI. I've had 4 rounds so far, currenty in the middle of my 5th, so I would say you need to expect it to be a long hall with IUI.
Having said that, I've also had 2 rounds of IVF and wouldn't wish it on anyone. I reacted badly to the drugs (despite being healthy/ no indications that I would), and had a really bad time with it all.
So I would always advocate for IUI in the first instance, despite it having not worked for me yet, because it's just an easier procedure and less invasive.
Just go into it with your eyes open and expect it to take a while. Even if you are totally healthy there is only a 10-15% chance of it working each time, so you shouldn't be surprised if it takes 8-10 rounds. This is what they don't really make clear in the initial appointments, as I was fully expecting to be pregnant in 3! But when you look at the numbers, it makes sense that I wasn't.
Good luck, whatever you decide.
BF111 · 08/03/2023 17:11
We’re also in the same boat as you, slightly younger but in Bristol area. We’ve considered BCRM and CRGW. BCRM are more expensive, but were the clinic who found our friend had PCOS and determined IUI wasn’t suitable (after 4 failed IUI attempts with London Women’s Clinic who said IUI would be fine) - they come recommended from friends.
We’re looking into CRGW (IVF lite) after the clinic was recommended to us last year - we’re sticking with them as we don’t have a reason to switch clinics and we’ve already had a fertility MOT with them. So far so good. Only downfall, egg retrieval and transfer take place in their Cardiff centre. All other tests are done in their Bristol clinic.
BF111 · 08/03/2023 18:07
Oh wow that’s really interesting to hear! When you say you’ve ‘gone back to BCRM’ - had you been there previously? What are they like with communication, appointment availability etc?
We are at the consent stage so understandably worried about your post. Just want to make sure we’re making the right decision! We are mid-late 20s, nothing picked up on ultrasound, blood work normal etc. we need treatment because we are two women using donor sperm, so not due to infertility, if that makes sense.
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