Can anyone recommend a good IVF clinic? Failed a few times already :(

[OrangeJellySpread]

Hi all,

We are looking to give a last go at IVF. We have done 3 IVF cycles so far, we were told we had male fertility issue, however, in the last one we got 1 good embryo but in the end it wouldn't stick. The hospital said it's unexplained and left it at that.

We have now saved enough money to try another go and more importantly I think I am mentally ready now after almost 2 years getting over the failures. We were considering doing it abroad but with our work commitments it seems impractical and expensive.

So, ladies, did you have success in your clinic especially with male fertility issue? We live up North btw.

Thank you in advance for any recommendation.

Hi @OrangeJellySpread - so sorry to hear you've been through the mill; I empathise as it took 4 cycles to finally get my BFP so I know it's a gruelling journey.

Do you exactly what the issue is with your partner's sperm?

Hi @RedPandaFluff, thank you. It is encouraging to hear positive stories like yours.

It's low count and low motility. He improved on both count in our last cycle, hence the 1 good embryo, so I am still hoping there is a chance for us.

I'm wondering if there might be other factors at play, as ICSI should address the low-count/low-motility issue (assuming you had ICSI for all three cycles?)

Have your clinics tried anything beyond the usual oestrogen/progesterone? I did two cycles at Care Fertility in Manchester and they were brilliant - they tried some extras on the basis that they wouldn't do any harm but potentially could do some good, so for my successful cycle I was on prednisone (steroid), inhixa injections (anticoagulants) and low dose aspirin.

There are so many variables - lack of success can be down to any one of a hundred medical reasons or just plain bad luck. I think that's why it's so blimmin' hard - trying to guess what to "fix".

I agree about the many variables. The clinic we did our IVF at, the service felt very impersonal. They didn't try different things/extras, they just did the normal procedures. Do you mind if i ask you how much did you pay for your IVF cycle at Care Fertility? I am close to 40 so I don't qualify at a few clinics unfortunately.

I'm so sorry to hear you've had a hard time. The whole process is so gruelling. We had issues on both sides, got one good embryo from 8 eggs and had a baby following treatment from the Lister clinic in Chelsea. I know it's aLong way though 😔 but if you had the time available to travel, I can't recommend them enough. I'm sure someone will be able to recommend a good clinic closer, but I'm absolutely rooting for you xx

Where ‘up north’? It’s pretty big up here.

I’m with care fertility in Sheffield and they have been amazing

Icsi at reprofit in Czechia. Honestly, look it up. Much cheaper than the U.K. and brilliant

Reprofit in Czech is not very expensive, we did picsi and macs sperm and got 100% fertilization and ended up with 3 blasts, 2 in the freezer. Although I'm still waiting for a bfp these results are much better comparing to what we had in London women clinic in Cardiff - 30% fertilized with icsi and one embryo at day 3.

Another vote for Reprofit here.
32 weeks after multiple uk failures.

However at the moment the best of the best is New Life in Greece. Their success rates are astonishing.
A little more pricey than Czech Republic, but if you can push the boat out i dont think youll be disappointed..
I wouldn't recommend anywhere in uk im afraid but that's just my opinion
xx

Thanks so much for all the recommendation, ladies!

If anyone has some more, please keep them coming :-)

For those of you who did it at Reprofit, I looked at the map and checked the flights, it's a couple of hours away from Prague? How did you get there? Is there a closer airport?

Airports nearby: Brno, Bratislava, Vienna, Prague.

@OrangeJellySpread there's a calculator on the Care website so you'll be able to get an estimate of charges. I think they do a free consultation as well, so nothing to lose by speaking to them.

I had two cycles at Care Manchester but my first two were at Praga Medica (GEST) in Prague. There are definitely advantages to going abroad (often cheaper, sometimes better technologies and techniques) but I didn't find it to be the smoothest of experiences. I wrote a thread on it, will see if I can post a link.

Hope this works:

IVF abroad - things I wish I'd known . . . www.mumsnet.com/Talk/infertility/3307381-ivf-abroad-things-i-wish-i-d-known#79452350

Just some things to consider when you're doing your research.

Care do a free 1 2 1 appointment and will go through charges etc

Irema in Alicante.

Thanks everyone and @RedPandaFluff for the thread. I am sure I will find it so useful!

I've contacted Care as well to setup an appointment with them.

Another vote for Reprofit here. Also heard good things about Serum in Athens and IVI in Spain.

Thanks @AliceAbsolum. Anyone cares to share their experience? How long do you have to stay in the country for?

Orange jelly there's a coach from Prague Central Station which takes you Straight into Brno. It costs about a fiver return with comfy seats and Internet.
X

Check out "your ivf journey" they're great you don't have to do much because they sort the admin.

My friend has 4 x dc conceived at The Queen Elizabeth hospital Gateshead.

crgh.co.uk/
you need to check & compare like with like ie age group etc via
www.hfea.gov.uk/treatments/explore-all-treatments/costs-and-funding/
the above site they show these figures - the issue is that it may be difficult to get an objective outside comparison of overseas clinics .

With regard to overseas clinics, I would steer away from any clinic that does not publish publicly transparent live birth rates and abide by standardised methods in doing so e.g. ESHRE principles - on that basis, as well as my experience there, I would not recommend Serum Athens although they are lovely people.