ABC Infertility

[Bubblegum89]

Looking at potential IVF options and to stay with our current fertility clinic, we’re looking in the region of about £6k for IVF including medication. I have come across ABC in London a few times and I’ve also seen women on ttc/infertility fb groups talking about having their IVF done there.

I understand it’s known as “shoebox” IVF which is why it only costs £2500 including meds, scans etc. Which is amazing to be honest when you don’t have thousands and thousands to spare like we don’t. I was just wondering if anyone on here was considering going, is currently or has been through IVF with them and if they’re worth it? I feel like it may be a “too good to be true” situation but if it’s not, it would really be a step in the right direction for us money-wise

One last round of clomid* that should have read

@Ojoy1986 yes you can at abc, and their sister clinic Create, as they don't do a down reg cycle. And you can pretty much start straight away. I did that myself and then actually fell pregnant in the last round! Found out 2 days before my appointment lol! Worth noting they like to have 2 weeks between initial consultation and treatment consultation so you'll need to have been in 2 weeks before the start of the cycle where you want to go for it. Hope that makes sense!

Does IVF treatment take place in line with one natural cycle? Has anyone been to the Manchester clinic ? X

@Ouryear19

Hi hope you're doing well,
Just wondering when you stopped taking your pessarie's we've been away for a week and I totally forgot to pack them it was too late when I realised do you think it's going to cause any harm I'm 10 weeks this week xx

Hi everyone - i've loved following all your abc ivf adventures on here. We are 11 months ttc and I am starting to research my ivf options (its giving me a new sense of hope!)

I am wondering - I haven't had an AMH test, i've just had an AFC (which was very high) - the clinic where i got testing said it was a better measure of ovarian reserve. Am i going to also need to get an AMH test to qualify at ABC?

Incidentally my identical twin sister had had an AMH test which was high, so i'm pretty confident mine will be fine too!

Hi all, please permit me to join this wonderful group? Congratulations to everyone on their positives.
I have a few questions to ask please, I have checked ABC criteria and I think I fit but need to work on my weight as my BMI is currently 32. It’s been a very big struggle loosing weight.
I had IVF abroad but was unsuccessful, everything was fine from start until transfer. I was on menopour I think 225IU and cetrotride 0.75mg.
12eggs retrieved 9 fertilised and 3 made it to blast and 2 was transferred on day 5. I did not freeze the other as it was abroad and was not sure of going back. I also think the stress of travelling a long haul flight was one of the reasons it failed.
My question is do you guys think ABC IVF is going to work for me? My previous clinic never mentioned anything about OHSS which I have been reading. Follow up after failed cycle was over the phone as i could not go back for follow up due to clinic being far away.
This is going to be my last try as I am very tight on budget, right now my head is all over the place and don’t know what to do or ask the lovely ladies in this forum. Any advice will be appreciative. Thank you

@Rovera12 they do accept people who have had a previous failed attempt at ivf I think as they ask about previous attempts on the pre consultation form x

@Sarahloub1 sorry about my late response.

I was instructed to take the pessaries until week 13. Week 11 reduced to 2 x day, then week 12 1x day.
Can you get them on holidays? I know one of the nurses said other IVF clinics say take them just for the first 8 weeks. But Abc advise 13 weeks.

@Courts1609
I hope you don’t mind me asking how you got on? I had my initial appointment last week and the scan showed 34 follicles (i’d taken clomid this cycle) but abc have suggested it’s very likely I would ohss and need a freeze all cycle for a fet three months later. They also noted that I had a very thin lining (5.5mm at cd9) so I’m worrying about this too!

Anyone else have a thin lining and it respond well to ivf?

Hi @Ojoy1986

I haven’t had any issues with my lining (as far as I’ve ever been told). I did have a ridiculous number of follicles though and had 28 eggs collected which we were told was the nurses record, previous being 22! Only 11 fertilised which was a lower fertilisation rate than they would normally like but we ultimately ended up with 7 frozen blastocysts. 2 fully developed and 5 early stage blastocysts. Gladly I didn’t develop OHSS but obvious high risk but avoided with medication. I go back on 23rd to find out when they’ll do the transfer.

Wish you all the best of luck x

@Courts1609
I was also at ABC yesterday, hope it all went well for you. Our cycle starts next week. The lady I saw yesterday seemed more optimistic about aiming for a fresh cycle. Starting on 125 bemfola which is a lower dose apparently to try and avoid OHSS.

@Ojoy1986

Good luck with it! I started on 125 too and then they dropped it down to 75 from my second scan.

I have my meds and will start the next cycle. We chose which blastocyst to put back on, hope it’s our lucky one x

Anyone used the Wilmslow clinic, been for a consultation with create who have costed treatment at £6.5K, noticed a sign for abc so looked into it and they advertise £2.5 so a big difference in cost !
Would I have to pay for a new consultation with them does anyone know?

@Ijustlikefood wimslow is my clinic. Not sure if you'd need another consultation but you do need to do ivf within 3 months of the consultation anyway or it needs renewing. I start next month as I need to lower my TSH but they've been really helpful so far. It's always worth ringing the abc call line x

I had egg collection yesterday. 5 eggs retrieved (no sign of OHSS that they had worried about). Had a call this morning to say 4 have fertilised and that we are looking at a day 5 transfer. They said they will update me on Thursday but I’m worrying should I be looking at a day 3 transfer as I have only 4 fertilised eggs?

@Ojoy1986 I'm guessing they think they look like good eggs. Hopefully on Thursday if they'll change the plan if things don't look so certain x

Hi, I know this is an oldish thread, but I was wondering if anyone who has been through it with ABC could help me.
We are really struggling to decide between going to Reprofit in Czech Republic and ABC 🙈. We are now leaning towards ABC.
Just a bit concerned about the cost of a FET if it doesn't work first time. They say it costs £1350, but that doesn't include meds or sedation (do you even need sedation?). Does anyone know what a FET costs in total?
Thanks!

Hi @FlapJackered
I had a Fet transfer last Tuesday with a 5days blastocyst and have been having positive tests since Saturday. Fet seems to have worked well for me. I too have secondary infertility and had to freeze all due to risk of OHSS. There are a number of additional costs. You will be required to freeze the remainder for £950 and a freeze all round is £750 plus £50 for meds. sedation is not required for egg transfer only collection. If it is a second round using frozen embryos then I think it is £1200 plus the £50 for meds. There is a further costs for meds if you are successful.

I would highly recommend ABC. Wishing you all the best x

@Courts1609 congratulations

I need to make an appointment and start ASAP

@Courts1609
Do abc ask for medical history from any previous cycles.

So happy for you...how many did you have to do with abc?

@Solaa thank you, I can’t believe it is finally happened and I keep repeating a mantra for it to stay snuggly and healthy and that it is loved!

I haven’t had any previous cycles of IVF though I do recall there being questions about it on the forms.

I have a 4 year old daughter who was an easy conception and a twin miscarriage (3 years ago today in fact) and then I did not fall pregnant again until now. I have PCOS. No male factor issues.

Wishing you all the very best.

@Courts1609 congratulations!!
Thanks so much, that is really helpful. It's good to know there is not too much in the way of hidden costs.
Do you know anything about the 'shoebox method'? Do you know if this what they use for every cycle?

@FlapJackered
I believe the ‘shoebox’ method is all they use at ABC which I think basically Means that they use less medication (there is no down regulation like with traditional IVF you just start your medication in line with your natural cycle). If you don’t fit into the criteria for ‘shoe box’ then they would refer you to Create Fertility. I think shoebox also refers to the price plan being fixed and transparent though as I say it does start to mount up all in. I think I have spent about £4000 now but that does include keeping our remaining 6 embryos frozen for 2 years. X

Just to update anyone following along. After being at risk of OHSS I was given really low doses of meds only to not respond and have them increased slightly. 5 eggs collected. 4 fertilised. 1 4AA transferred and two 3BC in the freezer. We got a bfp and got to see a little heartbeat at 7 weeks yesterday. Long way to go still but just wanted to share our update. Best of luck to you all.

Huge congratulations @Ojoy1986. I too got my BFP and am 6 weeks today. Just back from a private scan where we got to see a little flickering heartbeat. I’ve had spotting intermittently so it’s not been without stress!

Wishing you all the best for a healthy and happy pregnancy x