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Infertility

Our Infertility Support forum is a space to connect with others in the same position, discuss causes, treatment and IVF, and share infertility stories of hope and success.

How on earth do you choose a clinic?

7 replies

Shamoo · 04/07/2020 23:05

We have been with Lister for 18 months but never been very happy with them and now it is time for us to change. Have spent hours on the HFEA website looking at all of the stats, as well as on websites of the clinics themselves. Based in Herts but very happy to travel to London or beyond.

It's just impossible to know what to do. Experience with Lister has been poor and so that's probably making it harder. Cost is not a key factor for us. I have just turned 40 (few days ago) and had two full rounds of IVF so far (5 transfers in total), with two BFPs from fresh and 3 miscarriages from frozen. We have the option of using my partner (same sex) instead, she is only early 30s, but I would like one more go - so I need to get it right. But ideally we would like a good clinic for both of us so we don't have to move again.

How have other people decided? With Lister we went word of mouth and I really have not enjoyed the experience at all (too impersonal and disorganised, plus feels like you are on a conveyor belt and they don't care or amend the treatments specifically for you, just give everyone pretty much the same - plus aftercare is literally zero). HELLLLP!!!

OP posts:
LouiseTrees · 04/07/2020 23:09

Join Infertility Support UK group on Facebook or IVF ICSI Support UK group. Ask for recommendations on there but preface what your troubles have been with the other clinic and try and find someone in the same boat.

Shamoo · 04/07/2020 23:27

Thanks @LouiseTrees - I will check that out now!

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Sylva123 · 05/07/2020 07:31

I just started at Evewell in London after a bad experience with my NHS treatment. I really just wanted an organised, calm & kind process after such a chaotic time, so kind of like you! Evewell have free "open days" on video call at the moment where you meet the consultant, the egg collection scientist person, the nutritionist and the super kind patient services lady and you can ask lots of questions. Haven't met them in person yet but have had a paid consult now & they've been the right choice for me. Someone on here recommended them to me last year.
There are SO many options though so worth asking around and seeing if you can get some free open days in a variety of places to get a feel for them. I went to the fertility show last year and was given loads of flyers from the Herts & Essex fertility place that might be near you and worth checking out. It is overwhelming to choose such a big thing! Good luck!

Shamoo · 05/07/2020 13:30

Thanks @Sylva123 for your reply, much appreciated. Can I ask how you got comfortable with their results when they aren’t provided on the HFEA website, it’s the only thing putting me off Evewell at the moment? I have messaged them about arranging an openday session so thank you!🙏

Would be grateful for anymore views from anyone 😀

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Sylva123 · 05/07/2020 16:49

Yes I must say that I am hesitant about that too. It's because they're too new I think. They do have their results on their own website, but still - it's not the same as having it independently verified by HFEA. I suppose I'm just trusting their website and going with my gut a bit. I wonder at what point in the year they get uploaded. They've been open since 2018 so maybe soon?

Shamoo · 05/07/2020 16:51

Yes I think most of the data on the HFEA website is from 2017, which seems a bit out of date given how fast things change!!!

OP posts:
Lauren83 · 05/07/2020 17:06

The HFEA have to verify the success rates collated by the clinic, some will take longer due to being recorded as live births. The inspections carried out by the HFEA have been delayed due to Covid so new success rates are taking even longer to be published

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