Private IVF clinic recommendations in London

[Peap0d]

Hi all,

I know there are probably a million similar posts to this out there but I was wondering if anyone had any recent/more up to date recommendations on private IVF clinics in London - Especially those that deal with male infertility issues.

I am 29 and DH is 28. My AMH and antral follicle count is normal. Mild endometriosis not requiring surgery as no symptoms and supposedly won't affect pregnancy. DH has had microTESE surgery and we have 4 ampoules of sperm frozen to use.

It's difficult to just base initial thoughts on a clinics success rates because these can vary so much according to the criteria of patients they see or don't see.

I want to go somewhere where I'll be treated as a human being and supported with compassion and understanding.
I also would like a place that is open, honest and transparent with their costs and recommendations. I don't want to be baited into paying hundreds of thousands for tests that are either not necessary or have no significant evidential backing.

I am looking to do mild IVF / short protocol.

I have got a few places on my research list:
ARGC
CRGH
ABC IVF
CREATE St Paul's
Herts&Essex
Lister fertility
Kings fertility
Care Fertility

Thanks for any advice!!

Hi OP,
I don't have anything else to compare to as this is my first cycle but I am currently getting ICSI with ABC IVF, which now actually operates out of Create St Pauls. They only do mild IVF and I have been very impressed with the process so far. I had my egg transfer on Friday so most of my interactions with the clinic are complete. I found the follow your natural cycle and mild approach relatively stress free in terms of medications. The process and treatment schedule itself has been as seamless/ relaxing as it could have been but I appreciate this is partly the clinic, partly luck as we managed to transfer a good quality embryo and freeze three others and may have been a poorer experience if the result had been different.
I have found all the staff to be lovely, and the upfront costs includes all tests and medication they would ask you do to, which took stress out of the process.
I hope your treatment goes well when you make your decision.

@LondonladyTTC

Hi OP, I don't have anything else to compare to as this is my first cycle but I am currently getting ICSI with ABC IVF, which now actually operates out of Create St Pauls. They only do mild IVF and I have been very impressed with the process so far. I had my egg transfer on Friday so most of my interactions with the clinic are complete. I found the follow your natural cycle and mild approach relatively stress free in terms of medications. The process and treatment schedule itself has been as seamless/ relaxing as it could have been but I appreciate this is partly the clinic, partly luck as we managed to transfer a good quality embryo and freeze three others and may have been a poorer experience if the result had been different. I have found all the staff to be lovely, and the upfront costs includes all tests and medication they would ask you do to, which took stress out of the process. I hope your treatment goes well when you make your decision.

Thanks so much for responding! :) The cost and all inclusivity of ABC IVF is what drew me to them as well. But according to their website you have to meet their eligibility criteria and not be a complex case. Did they explain what that was when you went for your initial consultation (besides age, AMH, and BMI)?

Hello, I had success with Create Wimbledon, however I do not have any other clinic to compare it too. Overall I good experience

They do seem to take the shoebox approach (which I guess is what keeps the costs down) but the only criteria they mentioned to me was on the woman's side (the AMH, BMI, age that you mentioned). Might be worth dropping them an email and see what they say. They are quite good at getting a doctor to call back to answer questions! There is also a weekly live webinar where you can submit questions in case you fancy listening to it.

I had success with CRGH, they have excellent success rates but I wouldn't recommend them if your preference is for mild IVF, I found their approach extremely medication heavy.

Hi, I've been looking at abc ivf and noticed there criteria has actually been extended. Know they work really closely with CREATE so might be helpful for those who were rejected before.

I recommend Dr Gudi at Fertility Plus (you can find a lot of his videos on YouTube where he does mini seminars). I like that all your appointments are with him, not different consultants/nurses (and he does the egg collection too). Costs are fixed/transparent. He doesn’t favour the long protocol nor does he push add-ons, and his decision making is very evidence based. Not sure how he is with sperm issues particularly as we are a same sex couple. He’s also really kind and gentle, which made a stressful process a lot easier.

I had my first cycle at ABC and I don't recommend the if you age a more complex case. We are still unexplained but they wouldn't do anything outside of their shoebox protocol - even when I asked for and was willing to pay extra for progesterone monitoring as I bled the first cycle. I didn't even have a WTF appointment after my second cycle because I had no interest in anything they had to say and did not want to hear "it was bad luck" again. I didn't feel listened too. Mind you it started off well. I didn't want intense meds so that was the main draw.

I'm with CRGH now and am happy with them, they are more medication heavy but they are quick, thorough, nice and my consultant is amazing, she is open to new things but also backs everything she recommends with research. She doesn't push for tests that she doesn't feel we have an indication for.

I do wish I could have more contact with my consultant in between treatment but you barely speak to them except for set consultations. They advise on your treatment behind the scenes. That's the only thing I wish we had from the US more consultant led treatment.

I hated CRGH, we were put in the two hard box and treatment was a bit dehumanising. Moved to Gennet City Fertility and they have been amazing. Very kind and understanding, always took the time. Not plugged unnecessary extras. Not on your list but I’d consider.

Too hard. Fucking knackered. Sorry!