doctor loyalty or the 'best' clinics?

[Sayulita]

After a failed first round of IVF with l have one more in me financially and emotionally. My doctor was Stuart Lavery at Boston Place and I really liked him, even if it didn't work. He wants to change from a short to a long protocol for the next round. However, he has now left to join the London Women's Clinic and it's given me pause for thought: if there are other clinics (I'm referring to CRGH and ARGC) with better stats for my age group (just turned 42) should I go to them or stick with the Dr who already knows me? How important is the consultant over the clinic itself? The lab plays a vital role and the constant can't influence that really, right?

Background: DS, 2.5 yrs. Miscarriage in March. Low AMH and high FSH.

How high is your FSH? When I went to the ARGC, they told me they wouldn’t treat me unless my FSH was below 10.

The stats don’t tell the whole story, as if the ARGC exclude poor responders/people who are less likely to be successful it’s hardly surprising their success rates are higher.

Often the first IVF cycle is considered a bit of a trial eg they don’t know how you will respond to the drugs. It’ll be much easier for a consultant who knows you to decide how to tweak your protocol than it will for someone new.

My FSH was 14 last time checked a few months ago. I think I'm more keen on looking at CRGH, but I do hear you on your previous consultant knowing your body better, but do new consultants go through past records from previous clinics? Or do they all have their own approach they stick to slavishly?

I had my son through Dr Lavery at Hammersmith Hospital and then a failed IVF and FET with him at Boston Place. I then went to Serum in Athens which also failed

Sorry to hear that twinkeldag - it's a tough old game. Did you lose faith in Boston Place?

I’m under Stuart Lavery at Hammersmith hospital, we’ll be going private for NHS there & he is listed under private care. He is lovely, been reassuring and honest with us. We were referred to him under NHS so all my tests have been carried out under the NHS & I’ve asked to stay with him. I suffer from anxiety at the best of times so will always stay with someone who I feel comfortable with.

There is an open evening on Monday, night be worth going to see the clinic:

imperialprivatehealthcare.co.uk/our-services/fertility-services/meet-our-team/

@Sayulita it was the cost that sent me abroad but I'm not really sure how much I saved after you factor in last minute flights