IVF at Care Fertility, anyone?

[ClassicIntrovert]

Just wondering if anyone has had any recent experiences of Care Fertility for IVF? I'd be going to the London clinic but experience of any of the others would be welcome too.

I'm at risk of being overstimulated as I have PCOS, and have heard horror stories about some other clinics not caring if you get OHSS as long as you get lots of eggs, poor bedside manner, disorganisation, poor communication, 2 hour waiting times for a blood test etc.

I don't need to be wrapped in cotton wool and am pragmatic (appreciate more pain can mean more likelihood of success in this scenario), but also don't want to tell work I'm doing this, so I want the process to be smooth, predictable (within reason) and patient-friendly.

Thanks all.

Hi OP,

I’ve had ICSI via care fertility in Northampton and can’t speak highly enough of them.

They were great at monitoring for OHSS and ensuring everything was working as planned. They are super proactive about checking everything on track

However, it is a gruelling process and you have to be very flexible about attending appointments...if you need to go in for a scan or treatment on the day they tell you then you have to go. Timing is everything with IVF/ICSI. this is why I made sure my work knew and I was very well supported throughout - if you feel able to tell your work I would as I found it helpful to have them understand why I may be distracted, or needing to take meds or having days off (my HR policy is also to allow all fertility treatment time off as paid leave so worth checking if you have a policy or not). That’s just my personal choice and it’s completely your call but thought I’d share my experience

Thanks Willow,

I'm glad to hear that and I'm actually comforted by the fact they test a lot as there does seem to be a correlation between that and success rates. I have my first consultation tomorrow but so far everyone I have spoken to has been so lovely and helpful and bent over backwards to answer my (many) questions and be accommodating.

I so wish I felt comfortable telling work, but unfortunately I work in a very cut-throat environment with a very old-school male boss. Once people know I am even thinking of trying to have a baby I fear it would go against me (and I guess I'd rather people never knew it was on the cards if it doesn't work). I think I will say I need to have a medical procedure and some tests leading up to it, and hope they don't guess...

Good luck for your first appointment! Don’t worry about all of the questions. They’re completely used to it. I went in with a whole list and they couldn’t have been nicer

That’s a shame about your work. Good idea about the medical procedure. I’m sure it will be ok

My one tip for IVF is to try not to stress about it too much. I tried to remain calm and not put too much pressure on myself (I know that’s much easier said than done). Try to see it as little stages and it’s all about getting to the next stage rather than the ultimate goal of having a baby. It made it easier to manage for menust focusing on the next few days/weeks

Also the his and hers guide to surviving IVF is a really good (and funny at times) read. I read this just before starting injections and it really helped put me in the right frame of mind

I’ve got my fingers crossed for you!

We used Care at Sheffield and they were honestly amazing.
I had pcos and overstimulated- 33 eggs retrieved. All embryos were frozen at day 1 and treatment stopped until I recovered a couple of months later, then we had a frozen transfer.

The care was brilliant, the staff were fantastic and the treatment resulted in our son. Would highly recommend.

ChristmasAccountant - A couple of months?!?! I thought it was only meant to last a couple of days? What was it like, honestly? (If you don’t mind talking about it - don’t worry about freaking me out, I’d rather know...)

It didn’t take that long for my hormone levels to fall back down, just they wouldn’t do a transfer for a couple of months as it was too risky.

I can’t actually remember what it felt like - uncomfortable though I know that much!

Op, I remember them saying that if the round didn’t work they’d wait a few months to allow your body to return to normal and then restart so might be the same with OHSS?

@Willow4987, it seems that I will be using Care Fertility but in London and most likely we will also have to use ICSI.

May I ask if you also took a PGS/PGD?

@NV42 sorry it’s been over a year since we did the IVF and baby brain has kicked in, remind me what PGS/PGD is?

@Willow4987

Totally understand.. :-)

It is when they screen single cells from embryos for genetic diseases and chromosomal disorders. This testing is performed prior to embryo transfer and if one needs to have ICSI sometimes they recommend to carry out a PGS as well.

@NV42 ah I see! No we didn’t as it was an NHS funded cycle so you don’t get all of those extra treatments included