Time to change IVF clinic?

[TimetoChangeClinics]

Hi,

I posted under a similar username about our failed IVF cycle where we had a vy low fertilisation rate and no blastocysts. Based on the experiences of some other posters here, I was expecting the clinic to suggest things that we could do differently to try and make the cycle more successful if we go for round two.

Maybe I was expecting too much, but we had a cycle review meeting a few days ago and I honestly wasn't that impressed with the quality of the feedback. We know that there was a pretty severe morphology issue with my DP which impacted the cycle but the doctor didn't have the lab/embryology report in front of him to talk about how bad his sample was, whether it had deteriorated since his last semen sample was taken etc. The NHS consultant didn't seem that concerned around DP's sperm when she reviewed his initial test, so we were really keen to understand this more. We had to suggest that maybe it would be a good idea to see a urologist before trying another cycle. They also now think egg quality might be an issue. We asked about anything the clinic could vary next time to try and increase success but the clinic seem to want to follow the exact same protocol.

I thought that it would be best to stay with the same clinic for round two but I'm not wholly convinced by a) the lack of interest in exploring DP's issues and b) continuing with the exact same approach as before. Could we do better elsewhere? Is it worth changing clinic for a second round?

I'd be tempted to at least have a look at your other clinic options; maybe have a consultation at another clinic and see what they'd suggest doing? An IVF cycle is a big commitment of time, energy and money, so I'd be wary of just doing the same protocol again without at least having some consideration of whether any adjustments moght be helpful.

Thanks, a couple of consultations sounds like the right way to go. Our current provider have good reviews/pregnancy rates but I'm worried about doing exactly the same thing twice and potentially ending up with the same outcome.

I changed clinics three times & will tell you 1 negative aspect of changing clinics often

When you go to a new clinic, they generally put you on a standard protocol that they have based on your age, AMH value & if you have any problem. They hardly use your previous treatment's outcome as a learning experience. Unfortunately, 1st cycle at a new clinic is always a learning experience for them. Not that they will admit that you are paying thousands of pounds for them to learn about you.

I changed clinics for the following reasons -

1. During the treatment didn't feel that the clinic was being flexible to adjust protocol (number of scans, dosage of medicine, stimulation days etc) if I needed it
2. After a failed treatment, they weren't ready to try something different
3. I couldn't trust them to have more treatment with them

Hi I'm starting my ivf journey In a couple of weeks. Hope you are all ok. I'm very nervous

Hi OP, I am so sorry that you didn't have a better experience at your feedback appointment.

I would start "shopping around" for ivf clinics, and while you do that, you can ask them if they are going to (or even if they can) use your 1st round's data from another clinic.