Create Fertility - Experiences

[Sunflower360]

Hi 👋

I was hoping for people's experiences and thoughts on Create Fertility? I am considering them, so any thoughts would be much appreciated.

I am currently going through a short protocol with high stims with another clinic, baseline scan showed 4-5 follicles (expected that as I have low AMH/low ovarian reserves) but through my high stimulation am only showing 1, maybe 2 follicles that are growing...so cycle is not looking great.

So I wanted to consider Create as they specialise in natural modified and mild IVF, but would appreciate feedback on people's experiences as we would be going in multi cycle with my low AFC/AMH and want to ensure it's the best decision in those circumstances.

Thanks!

Hello, had my eggs collected on Monday. It was disappointing as only 4 eggs were collected (we were expecting 6-8). only 1 fertilised and they've advised to freeze it on day 3.
They seemed surprised and I'm still waiting to hear back from them post their internal review.

Can I ask why a Karyotype test was required? I wasn't tested for that and wondering if I should have been because of my age.

@VSRCM sorry to hear that, but hopefully that one frozen will be a good one. Karyotype was suggested to rule out any chromosome issues, because on the surface everything else appears ok bar from my low AMH. I have read it is usually advised where people have not fallen pregnant after a year and are advancing age (so 35+ I think). Have you considered natural modified? Also are you taking supplements at all?

@HopefulElle I'm so sorry your cycle was cancelled, I know how disappointing it can be. I cried most of the way home back to Scotland from Manchester after our second cycle was cancelled, but at least they were able to tell me at the first scan and not many meds had been used. I hope that you can go again next month, and can do something nice this weekend xx

@VSRCM sorry to hear that you didn't get as many eggs as they had hoped for. It's so hard when things don't go as we wish they would. Great news that you have an embryo in the freezer though from this round. Hopefully they will have some insight and perhaps a change to meds next round. Is it ICSI you are doing? xx

Hi @Sunflower360 I was advised to go for mild stim as natural modified aims to collect fewer eggs. This is an age factor I believe. And yes, I'm taking all the necessary supplements (folic acid/vit d/omega 3/co-enzyme). I did take additional traditional chinese meds/herbs last time and I had 10 eggs collected, I didnt this cycle as I couldnt get hold of it in time (I had to order them in from Malaysia) so I'm going to try the chinese meds again this time to see if that was the contributing factor. Making the husband take it this time too so fingers crossed! I wasn't advised to take a Karyotype test, I'm not sure why..

@Jx3303 It is ICSI, but even that didnt help with the fertilisation rate this time so very dishearted. I am waiting for a follow-up call from the doctor to advise, they might change the dose although I'm already on gonal-F 225 so not sure if it can go any higher?

@VSRCM Im sorry to hear that your cycle has been cancelled. My very first cycle was also cancelled. Im a poor responder, low AMH and 42 :( the doctor from lister fertility put me on high stims of 450iu menopur. In the end i only have 1 follicle 😭starting at 4. They also saw some cysts during my last scan.

I am thinking of getting some chinese herbs too, what can you recommend? I am taking Folic Acid, CoQ10 600mg, Vit D & C. Doctor also advise 75mg DHEA but my order has not arrive yet.

@VSRCM do you have the same Dr each time? Perhaps could be worth asking about karyotype?

@ka3rine have you tried less stims? I was a poor responder to max stims but responded better to less stims

@Doxy21 for my 2nd cycle we will try less stims. Doctor mentioned 150iu Menopur and a table (forgot what it was). I just don't know if it will be a short or long protocol. Does not help as well that I haven't bleed for 2 months :( Doctor says it's fine and that when I am ready to start again, that I should do a scan first to see the Uterus lining.

Hi @ka3rine the chinese meds were recommended by a friend in Malaysia, what I understand is it encourages blood flow to the uterus and to keep it warm. I've also been advised to keep my feet warm as they are linked to the womb. Does DHEA help too? I just googled.. Also, there should be medication to induce a bleed, do check with the doctor.

Hi @Sunflower360 Different doctor every time, I will ask.

@Jx3303 oh bless you..Such a disappointment isn’t it? Same for me though, found out on first day so at least it wasn’t drawn out.
@Sunflower360 you’re right, keep reminding myself one in the freezer was beyond what I dared to hope for. Hopefully more food cycles to come; for all of us!

@VSRCM @Doxy21 how are your cycles going? I'm hoping to start in 2 weeks

Hope everyone else is getting on ok?

I have my nurses appointment Thursday. My coordinator said my meds will come straight after as I’m due AF early next week. I’m worried they won’t come in time. Have you signed any paperwork? I haven’t really apart from the bits before the baseline scan and appointment

@Doxy21 don’t worry about the meds - I was worried about this too, especially as I had to wait for my karyotype results first, I thought I might miss a cycle. But they are really quick, you get sent a link to book your own delivery date/time and both times for me I was able to get them delivered within a couple of days. Both times delivered exactly when they said. If you’re doing Natural Modified then the absolute earliest you’ll need them is day 4/5 when they do your first scan.

@HopefulElle oh amazing! Thank you so much :)

@Doxy21 I've signed all the consents. Got the nurse consultation next week as my AF is due the following week, I was told meds arrive within 24-48 hours but as @HopefulElle mentioned with natural modified there is a bit of wiggle room time wise

@Sunflower360 what consents did you sign? I’m a bit worried. I did the online forms where you had to put in nhs number and your passport etc and watch a video about monkey pox or something with a quiz at the end. But that’s it.

@Doxy21 yep their the consent forms, it's all on that portal. Have you had the nurse consultation? That is the session before you start treatment, after which you make payment, from what I understand

@Sunflower360 my nurse appointment is this Thursday. I made payment last week as I went in for a blood test so just did it then. We are using duologi. We were accepted and I paid the deposit to create but haven’t heard anything else from duologi 🤷🏽‍♀️

@Sunflower360 I would echo what @GreyZebra is saying as we have a serious male factor and the consultant didn't even know what IMSI or PMSI treatments are! I also quizzed him about calcium ionophore which really does help boost fertilisation in sperm with poor morphology and yet again, he didn't have a clue! Shame really as all other aspects of the clinic seemed good but their lack of male factor knowledge was really really substandard imo xx

@Doxy21 I think Duologi pay directly to Create...but perhaps worth chasing if you don't hear anything

@Sheepsheeps I do not know a lot about MFI as our main issue (so far) appears low AMH and perhaps age now as I'm not far off 38...but we are yet to get through fertilisation hence the advice for ICSI for this 2nd IVF cycle...if we needed more investigations/MFI treatment then that is where we may notice those issues more....will see how things pan out fertilisation wise next time round

@Doxy21 how did you get on with your nurse appointment? Got ours next week

@VSRCM how is everything following EC? Did you ask alt karyotype tests?

Hi @Sunflower360 it was fine but then it’s not our first rodeo. She mentioned 150 of gonal f and then I looked at what I had been charged for and it was 300 so I queried right away after hearing they could be disorganised. They clarified right away that it only comes in 300 but is a reusable pen. I was a bit bummed they kept referring to collecting one embryo - I would like to aim for more but my husband said they are managing expectations. The medication email came straight away and my coordinator phoned to check if I had any queries. So far so good. Did all the forms. Had a mini emotional breakdown though last night. How are you coping emotionally?