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Our Infertility Support forum is a space to connect with others in the same position, discuss causes, treatment and IVF, and share infertility stories of hope and success.

Original poster

Consultant too positive???

50 replies

Fishface199 · 26/04/2017 20:57

This sounds rather crazy but I would like to pick the brainboxes of the Board for advice.

I had my first consultation with a gynaecologist today regarding IVF. He was honest and said my AMH was a bit low at 7 ish (he wanted it 10- 12) but said at my age (40) not to worry too much.

He then said something that utterly threw me. I had a miscarriage 6 months ago and am considering IVF because of age. I asked about multiple rounds. He said if I had 3 rounds, my chances of live birth would be about 70%. I am amazed as this was much higher than I expected and seems to indicate that as long as I keep trying I would most likely have a successful pregnancy.

He also wished me well and said "you will get pregnant".Confused My sister who had accompanied me (DH is out of the country) grinned and nudged me when he said that.

I am confused , are these genuine stats or the patter of a salesman? I am a realist but don't want to get too excited when I know IVF is a painful gruelling process that is often unsuccessful.

OP posts:
Original poster
Fishface199 · 27/04/2017 08:44

Would anyone be able to help?

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Scottishgirl85 · 27/04/2017 09:12

I'm doing ivf abroad so a bit different as it's all been over email so far. However they have always just spoken the facts from their success rates. I don't see the harm in being positive, but nobody should be given false hope. I do however strongly believe you should enter into ivf believing it can work and maintaining a positive attitude can only be a good thing. Good luck!

cluelessnewmum · 27/04/2017 11:40

Hi fishface, I've not started the ivf process yet but I have seen a fertility specialist where ivf is the next step.

He told me for a couple like us with no obvious issues and maybe our age (dh is your age, I'm 34, I'm afraid I don't know my amh offhand) our chances would be about 60-70% (based on his results) but I assume that was for one round not three. He never said 'you'll get pregnant', he just said our chances were good.

So maybe that is accurate with 3 rounds for someone a little bit older? But I don't think he should say "you will get pregnant", as even if it is 70% no one knows whether we'll be in the unlucky 30%. I think all fertility doctors want you to know their personal success rates but I don't think you should feel like you're being 'sold'.

I think it would be good to get from his secretary his actual results, ideally for women 40+, which will give you a better idea.

Good luck with it x

broodynmoody · 27/04/2017 11:45

I genuinely think success with IVF is down to luck in the end. They can give us percentages but there's just no guarantee. He's probably genuine in giving you that percentage but it doesn't mean to say you'll get pregnant. Try not to get your hopes up but also dont have a negative attitude. Take each day as it comesSmile

Dozer · 27/04/2017 11:46

Those odds do sound "too good to be true".

welshweasel · 27/04/2017 11:46

National average for your age is 16% chance of live birth per cycle. What clinic are you considering using? I'd be very sceptical of someone who told you that and I think it's giving you false hope.

Dozer · 27/04/2017 11:49

Also, there is nothing wrong with asking Qs/being skeptical, part of choosing the right provider for youz

Original poster
Fishface199 · 27/04/2017 13:28

I think my worry was false hope. I checked the HFEA website and for women my age the clinic has a 12% live birth rate so a bit at a loss as to how the 70% figure was derived.

I may ask again. They had my DH do a sperm analysis but say I need to book a £220 consultation to discuss the results (after paying for the sperm analysis test) . Again this sounds a bit dodgy surely they could pass the result straight to us and we csn pass it to GP for interpretation?? Maybe this is standard practice though.

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Scottishgirl85 · 27/04/2017 15:01

We had all my tests and scans plus sperm count done via GP on the nhs. We are doing ivf privately as we already have a child. The only test we paid for was amh privately at £39 as nhs don't do it. Private clinics are taking advantage and making a killing! I've now started my ivf cycle and have never had a consultation, all done via forms and email!

cluelessnewmum · 27/04/2017 15:13

Dh had sperm test done at Zita West (actually using a different clinic now) and only paid for the test, but I don't remember how much that was. He just had a phone call about it after with the doctor, which was not an extra charge.

I would ask for the test to be sent to you and ask your gp to look at it as a first port of call,as if it is normal there's no point in paying £200 just to be told that!

Original poster
Fishface199 · 27/04/2017 15:27

Will ask for DH to do that. Spoke to a frien,d who said first IVF is often a diagnostic exercise (this has calmed me somewhat) as even if we go with this clinic, we will at least know what can be improved for next time should this not work.

Scottishgirl £39 for AMH is unbelievable I paid £140!

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Chattycat78 · 27/04/2017 16:55

I remember reading the 70 percent stat somewhere. But I think it was based on doing 3 cycles and assuming Under 35. TBH I think the stat does sound a bit high at 40. Sorry.

That's not to say it won't happen of course.

Dozer · 27/04/2017 17:09

I bet if you ask the Q by email they will not reiterate that claim in writing. It would put me off the doctor tbh.

user1490948702 · 30/04/2017 12:32

I recently had my first consult and the consultant showed me the results at his clinic for my age (split between two brackets), which were around 40% (pregnancy not live birth I think) but then also added that he was fairly hopeful given my scan and that I have a child already (a long time ago). I felt happy he wasn't overstating things but giving me a balanced view. My previous consultant did say 'we'll get you pregnant one way or the other!' Hmm and then didn't really adjust focus for three IUIs and not dealing with my particular issues (thyroid) for the ivf plan, which is one of the reasons I moved clinics. I felt he was over confident to say the least!

Really, none of them can say for sure and shouldn't, so I prefer to hear something that feels realistic, but I think that can vary according to the individual and could be higher chances for different people. I've read on here about people who were told by consultants that IVF or more IVF wasn't worth it so I think some consultants will be honest, but it is such a massive business that there always feels like there's an element of selling going on.

mynameisscott · 30/04/2017 14:20

I felt similarly sceptical when our consultant acted super positive, like it was all in a day's work. Didn't get any wild stats but he did start talking cheerfully about twins!! We're doing everything privately as DH has a child already (vasectomy reversal didn't work), so that 20 min appointment alone cost £175. We are doing ICSI and can only afford one go (I'm 39 but everything appears to be working fine). I can't help thinking with private consultants it makes no difference whether the outcome is positive or not as they get paid for the treatment anyway... we have our consent appt tomorrow and will have to pay in full then. We are trying to be realistic about the odds - if this was anything else, even 50% would seem crazy to me - but my thinking is (and this is after 4 really tough years of trying) that everyone is different and this is giving us the best chance we have, and I'm just trying to ignore all the other stuff as we're in it now! Good luck to you.

Original poster
Fishface199 · 01/05/2017 07:59

Its very difficult. I am now considering my options. My local clinic has a poor success rate and I am tempted to explore further afield(London) but my DP says he wants to accompany me on all my appointments and won't be able to if I choose a clinic in London.

Natural conception is 5% for a 40 yr old, any given month, my clinic will raise it upto 12%. Think I need better odds?!

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LalaDipsey · 01/05/2017 08:08

I had unsuccessful tx elsewhere and then went to ARGC in London (& I believe they now have some remote clinics for some of the testing). Best success rates in the country for your age bracket. They are not cheap but they are amazing - the only place where they tailor your tx to you. And would your husband rather accompany you to every appt at a clinic which doesn't have such a good chance or you attend some appts on your own and manage a bfp? I have 3 beautiful children courtesy of the ARGC and I honestly believe it's their strategy which worked. Good luck

JoJoSM2 · 06/05/2017 08:53

If the consultant said that stuff to me, I'd probably go elsewhere straight away. My doctor is very positive and often says about a particular test result that it's great/fantastic/excellent and has said that things are looking very good. But no one at the clinic would make comments that could give us false hope. Not to mention that your doctor said things that were plain untrue.

When it comes to the semen analysis, presumably the fee for the test goes to the lab. Personally, I'd expect a quick call for free if the results were ok. However, if the SA have come back poor, then the doctor might want to see you in person to discuss them in detail + further treatment options. That might require quite a long time so it's only fair that he gets paid for a normal appointment. Also, a GP would be unlikely to have a clue as they don't have much training in the details of infertility treatments.

Good luck choosing the best clinic for yourselves. I know even that isn't easy in this process lol

Original poster
Fishface199 · 08/05/2017 13:53

So its happened again.

Went to a consultation. Asked for honest feedback. I am 40. He told me my AMH is low.

Then quotes a success rate of 40%.

I am startled! It sounds very high I say. He then says thats if you get to two blastocysts at Day 5.

Great.

Now tell me what are my xhances if getting to 2 blasts at Day 5?!?

It is terrible feels like a complete sales job!!

OP posts:
Chattycat78 · 08/05/2017 14:08

Did U ask what your chances of getting 2 blasts to day 5 are?

Is that success rate based on one go? I think hfea quote around 30 percent success per cycle based on age 35 and under, unless I've misinterpreted it.

I don't know- you need to be able to trust the clinic. Not feel like they are spinning you a line to get your cash. Ivf is very stressful as it is. If you feel like you don't trust them then maybe they aren't the clinic for you.

One other idea- why don't you contact Robert winston? He has a free q and a on his genesis website and you'd definitely get an honest opinion from him. I don't know how long it would take to get a reply though,

wickerlampshade · 08/05/2017 14:11

Again this sounds a bit dodgy surely they could pass the result straight to us and we csn pass it to GP for interpretation??

Your GP would love that - I'm sure they are just sitting around twiddling their thumbs waiting to do unfunded work for secondary care.

Don't mean to be arsey, but I'm a GP and the world and its wife thinks we can "just" do their work for them, when in reality we are hugely overstretched trying to look after our own patients. I have neither the expertise nor the time to interpret a semen analysis done privately (or indeed if the IVF was on the NHS)

Original poster
Fishface199 · 08/05/2017 14:24

Oo er Wickerlampshade who got out of the wrong side of the bed this morning?!

We are not going to pass the results on to the GP. I asked cos these private clinics seem to be taking more money to intrepret results, which seems odd. We have actually asked the results to come straight to us. And yes some lovely GPs actually don't mind helping even with blood tests and even with interpretation of results.

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Original poster
Fishface199 · 08/05/2017 14:29

Hi Chatty, yes I have been reading Winstons website and like his clarity. I did submit a question but due to the number he gets doubt we will hear back.

I did ask about chances to day 5 blasts, i got an answer "we will have to see once we look at the embryos etc". Confused

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alwaysthepessimist · 08/05/2017 14:36

Fishface can I ask what your history is? Just wondered why you were thinking of the IVF route, have you had problems previously?