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

hi everyone I know this thread is getting a bit old but wanted to know how everyone is doing including any new people who are starting at abc. Am due to start injections next week. @QS88 how are you doing ? Hopefully everything went okay after your faint bfp!

Hey @Blessing786,
I have my prescription being delivered on the 10th June. All feels very real all of a sudden! I thought we'd all be waiting a lot longer than this before we could continue with the process to be honest.

How do you feel about starting next week x

Hi all,

I have my treatment plan online consult in a few days. I'm really nervous as this is my first cycle of ivf. Is there anything you recommend I ask? I'm with Manchester ABC xx

Hi @Jessloug nice to know there is someone else commencing treatment as well. We had our initial consultation in March and then obv everything got delayed. I am due to start injections June 2 and my drugs are coming tomorrow! I completely agree with you I was so devastated when covid came and everything got delayed but now it’s happening quite fast and I am getting slightly nervous. I am at Wimbledon branch in London and this is my first ivf cycle. We been ttc for 2 and half years I am 28 and my partner is 34 and it’s unexplained although partner does have slight low motility.
What about you and how do you feel about abc ? I still not sure how good mild ivf will be sometimes I have my doubts but I feel optimistic at the moment reading everyone’s stories on here.

@kelbel initial consultation doesn’t happen much they just explain the stages of ivf just make sure they do the initial scan on you and determine that “mild” ivf will be effective for you

Ah thanks for the reply. I've already had all my scans, hubby has had his analysis and we have both had all our blood tests. The next appointment is to go through signing the forms and the treatment plan I was told?
All the reviews seem to be good about the mild ivf and I'm on a support group that seem to rate ABC's approach so hopefully that can only mean good things

@Blessing786 we're pretty much the same. 2.5 years, unexplained and this is our first cycle.
We're hoping to use Oxford but at the moment it still isn't open so we've been going to St Paul's for the last couple of appointments. I feel good about it, there's been a lot to take in regarding times and what happens when but I'm sure it'll run smoothly when we start. I'm concerned about what day to start as it says after full flow but it can take me a few days to get to that so I'm sure I'll be calling them for advice at the time hoping as its mild the mood swings etc will be better (think hubby is too!). Just going to put my trust in them and keep everything crossed! Dreading the 2ww though...

@Kelbell86 we had that consultation a couple of weeks ago and it was fine. A lot to take in so keep a pen with you, but we got sent all of the info too so don't stress too much. We pretty much asked questions as we thought of them when we we're talking to them.

@Jessloug thank you very much for the advice. I'm dreading the 2ww as well, I know they say to stay calm but I can be quite anxious in that time from previous waits through other meds.
Are you doing any other stuff such as acupuncture, yoga etc? I hear people mention it but don't know whether to try or not?!
(p.s I've only just realised how to respond using your name, I'm so sorry, I'm quite new to posting on here, I wasn't being ignorant).

Hi everyone !
I thought I’ll give you guys an update! So things happened unexpectedly and my period actually came two days early (not necessarily a bad thing) but I was lucky that I had ordered the medication two days early on that same day so I could start on day 2 of my cycle ! Everything has been happening super fast and I had my first stim Bemfola injection today ! So yes @that’s what’s been happening with me so far ! The injection wasn’t bad at all! My first scan on on Thursday the 4th already and I hope I am responding well to the meds ...

@Kelbell86 I have heard of acupuncture but I am not doing it at the moment ..I guess we just wanna see first how this round goes so I haven’t looked much into it

Hope everyone is doing well though look forward to hearing from you guys once you start as well !

Ah how exciting @Blessing786! Good luck with the scans and stims, keep us updated 🤞

Hey all,

@Kelbell86 - don't worry about tagging, I still can't get it to work properly! Ha!
I did looking into accupuncture etc months ago. Found a local place and looked at the recommended plan and was going to do all of the recommended things. But I think at the time I just felt a bit desperate to do everything and anything possible. I felt a little abandoned by the NHS (my husband already has a daughter) and I was waiting for months for the final test result and couldn't get hold of anybody so couldn't move forward etc and think my headspace was just desperate and overwhelmed and panicked at the time. But I feel so much more chilled now, the doctor at ABC literally said "we're taking on the stress for you now, you can finally relax and we'll take care of it" and I have, so much. I sound crazy but thinking about it now, I kind of feel like I've known for 2.5 years this was what we'd need to do. We'd need IVF, or some kind of help and that's basically what I've been fighting for this whole time. Not that I had no hope for it to happen naturally just that in the back of mind I knew we'd need help, so to get here is such a relief it feels natural so right now I think I might feel like I'm adding pressure to myself if I did all of that. But that being said, who knows. As we get closer to starting I might feel I need to... If you feel it will help you get in the right space I would go for it.
I didn't intend on going off on such a tangent there, sorry!

@Blessing786 wow! It's all go! Glad the first injection went well. So they've booked your first scan for 5 days after the first injection, I got a bit confused with when the first one would be. Got everything crossed for you! X

Hi there, really pleased I have found this thread. We had been planning to go to the Czech Republic for Ivf for a while but obviously that plans out the window.
We have secondary infertilIty so have a child (6) but have never become pregnant again.
I have had the dildo test thing privately, everything looked fine and I ovulate regularly.
Dh sperm possibly low mobility from one test a few years ago.
I’m 36 - would we be likely to meet the ABC criteria? Weight etc fine

And congratulations and good luck to everyone! Seems like a very positive thread to have found 😊

Hi everyone
So I had my first scan yesterday and after an hour wait the nurse finally told me she was very happy how I am responding so far. I had about 15 follicles growing I think the largest being 12mm and others are good size too (7-10mm is recommended on first scan)

So my next scan should be Saturday however the nurse was bummed as to why I was booked on a Thursday ... Wimbledon does scans Monday Wednesday and Friday and Saturday they serve closed !

I have to be honest and have to say that abc has been very chaotic in terms of communication and organisation and I imagine covid only made it worse... the frustrating thing is that you always get to speak to a different person as they only have a centralised number and you can’t actually call the clinic or branch you’re at ....

So now this person has booked me on Thursday yesterday at Wimbledon when the scans should be 2 days apart and Wimbledon does not open on a Saturday ... the nurse said I am too far long with my follicles and we can’t wait to have scan on a Monday Bcus that may be too late... not to mention we had to wait an hour in the waiting room just to be seen and I overhear the consultant saying I am not even on her list of appointments when the receptionist questioned her as to why she hasn’t called me out yet Bcus I am on her list ....

So now today I will have to go to St. Paul’s in central London to have my scan and somebody should call me with an appointment today as they couldn’t book it there and then since the are fully booked ... they did apologise but I don’t want any mess ups ...understandably since she mentioned my egg collection could be very soon and it’s crucial they don’t miss the window ... so I may go to St. Paul’s and they might say you’re ready for the trigger injection or they say all looks good and I have my third scab on Monday ... all depends ....

So that’s my update waiting for the call now ...@Jessloug yes it was a day 6 scan in terms of my cycle it’s day 6 but in terms of treatment cycle it’s day 5 ...confusing I know but that’s Bcus the first day of your period doesn’t count if you don’t have a proper “flow” before 12 noon. So then your next day becomes day 1 when you do and injection start the day after on day 2 ( really day 3 for you ) hope that makes sense but we called them again when my period started and confirmed everything so don’t worry

Forgot to mention I did start my second injection to stop me from ovulating the certrotide yesterday !

Hey @blessinf786 (sorry never lets me tag you).

Glad it's going well, what happened with your scans in the end? We have found communication isn't 100% to be honest but no major issues because of it. First time we went to St Paul's we were the only ones there. Last week there was lots of people so not sure if it's because they have so many people in just 2 clinics. Really hoping Oxford will be open when we start as it's an easier journey, but what will be will be.

So if you have full flow before 12 you start injections day 2. If you have full flow after 12 or on day 2 you start injections on day 3. Is that right? I'm sure I'll be calling to check with them anyway when the time comes lol

How are you feeling? Have you got any side affects from the medication at all? X

@Blessing786 sounds like a lot of stress that you don't need right now, how did you get on? Did they contact you the next day?

I'm with Manchester and although they are very minimal on communication I can usually phone and request to speak with my PC so not too bad. I did say to my other half that I always feel like I'm left wondering what the next step is though.

Good news about your follicles! How are you finding the injections?

@Jessloug you don't sound crazy at all, sounds like my journey to this point too. My other half has two children already who are teens, I have none so I wasn't eligible for ivf on the NHS and I was the same as you, although I hoped every month that the letrozole or clomid would work, I always thought I would end up at this point. I think I will leave the acupuncture then. I am just going to concentrate on taking a little time out for walks and relaxing I think, seems to work for lots of other ladies that are on the ivf support page I use.

Where are you upto with your treatment? x

Hi everyone.

Can I jump on board this thread?

First time IVFer with ABC. I have found them absolutely lovely so far.

Meds arriving later this week. Good luck to everyone!!

I haven't had any communication issues. I had my initial consultation on 18th May and had completed all tests and paperwork by the 1st of June.

I did have all my investigations completed prior to lockdown i.e. Hycosy, ovulation tracking scan, bloods for AMH, Thyroid etc which may have helped things move faster.

@Kelbell86 yeah it's strange how we get that feeling.

I have my meds being delivered on Wednesday. Due to start end of next week! Crazy how quickly this end part is happening after waiting 2.5 years! I actually have a puppy arriving this weekend (the timing is not ideal ) so I'm going to be very busy with him and I'm glad of the distraction.

Hey @user1475505106 , of course!

I'm the same I'd had a lot of tests with NHS and then another clinic which we decided not to go with and feel like we've flown through the final processes with abc. I have my meds delivered this week too! Exciting/scary!

@Jessloug thanks . My meds arrive on Friday and we start around the 22nd. Is it your first cycle/baby?

Yes, first for both. I think I'll be around 4 days before you if all goes to plan... !

Sorry @TheFuckingDogs missed your message.

I believe it's based on age, BMI and AMH levels. That's the main criteria if I remember correctly. I then had a scan to check follicles size and amount etc. If all are ok then you're given the go ahead. That's how it was for me anyway x

Hi everyone ! Here’s an update on my scans so far :
So I had my third scan today! Today would be day 9 of injections my follicles look decent and Doctor is predicting 6-10 eggs. I hope it’s in the upper range ..I am getting closer to egg collection and it’s coming closer very quickly. Today she said my follicles are about 12-14mm so not quite there yet and I have two more days of stims which she predicts my eggs technically should be ready by then. If my follicles are ready by then the earliest my egg collection would be is this Friday ! However, the consultant will call me once she has had a look at my bloods so let’s see..

@Kelbell86 Surprisingly I haven’t had any major side effects from the injection.. I get the slight headache immediately after the injection but it’s not bad and gets better after drinking water and I have been drinking 2L of water every day as recommended. But I also cannot wait to finally stop the injections and get to the next stage !
My final scan is on Wednesday and that will decide when I will be taking my trigger injection.
The clinic was also very busy today lots of new people joining etc which is good to see!
Ps: picture from the Wimbledon clinic waiting for my scan if anybody interested

@Jessloug sorry meant to tag you about the injections lol !
The injections looked daunting at first but with the Bemfola you get a nice leaflet and video link which is very useful and easy to follow and for the certroride we were able to see omen of our nurses during scans to give us a quick demo. After the first and second it becomes second nature on how to do them.

But yeah thank god no side effects just lots of cm (sorry tmi and I have to wear daily pads at all times)

Just make sure you drink lots of water