44 and thinking of ivf

[StartleBright]

Can anyone recommend an ivf clinic in london that works well for an older woman? I am 44. I have secondary infertility following the traumatic emergency caesarian of my first which took a while to diagnose and treat (thanks covid...).

I know my statistics are bleak now, but want to throw everything at the chance of having a much longed for second child. And I know so many of you will understand the tears and heartbreak that lie behind that sentence. I have to go private obviously, but the first few clinics I have approached wanted nothing to do with me because of my age.

Does anyone have experience with a clinic that has a focus or a speciality on helping an older woman?

Hi 👋
I’ve just turned 42 and am with Lister. I have low amh so my chances are pretty low too. Have you had a recent test of your amh or antra follicle count?
I also had an emergency Caesarian which caused some of my issues. They never tell you about these things.

You may find no clinics will treat you with your own eggs over the age of 43 so I'd recommend contacting as many as possible and accept you may have to go with a clinic which may not be a first choice or one that isn't local but who will at least give it a go with your own eggs - clinics abroad will often be more relaxed on age too?

If money is no object then why not.

If it is, I would question whether it is worth subjecting yourself given the stats are not in your favour.

Good luck

Create sells itself on being good for older women. I'm at the St Paul's clinic and did 6 cycles starting just after I turned 41, with low AMH. I am happy to recommend them. I previously did one cycle on the NHS, and the experience at Create was vastly more pleasant and efficient. I picked them because they offer low stimulation IVF, so the cycle is quicker and fewer side effects. They claim it's also cheaper due to less meds, but I don't think that's necessarily true.

Create Fertility could be an option for you x

Honestly, at 44 you could waste a lot of time trying with your own eggs and run your clock down. You might be better off going into this with donor eggs straight away, if you could consider that? Unfortunately there is a reason why the NHS doesn't fund treatment for women your age, and why most clinics won't consider private treatment either.

I don’t mean this unkindly but it’s basically throwing away money trying with own eggs at that age. So many clinics find it unethical to do it - that’s why it’s so hard to find one.
I think best advice would be donor eggs if you wanted to persue treatment.

Lister at the Portland is a good one to try - the medical director there is superb and my consultant too. (5th round resulted in DS with donor egg; prior 4 rounds with me resulted in a transfer that didn’t take) - I’m sure he’s be happy to run through the options with you.

I’m 44, on my 2nd ivf cycle. It’s hard going as the chances are low but if like me you need to try then go for it! I’ve decided if this one fails, I’ll do one last one… but I’ll have spent 20k by then. Good luck

Thank you all for your responses, I appreciate your kindness in responding to a random query on the internet!