Has anyone used YourIVFJourney / done treatment abroad?

[VSRCM]

Hi all - has anyone done treatment abroad?
I've done 1 cycle on the NHS and 1 with Create Fertility; first was a long protocol, got pregnant but missed miscarriage at week 5, and the second was a short protocol and unsuccessful altogether.

At the moment, I'm weighing my options as I'm not ready to give up yet. I am 41 this year..

Wondering if anyone has used YourIVFJourney and if so, how has your experience been? They are an agency who can facilitate treatment in Prague.

Also wondering if anyone has done it abroad to help me understand what the process might look like?

Any input will be appreciated!

Just thought I would post my reply on here too:

As we went to Prague, we used IVF Praga Medica who were amazing. They took our background and history and told us what clinics in Prague they thought were best to assist us, and we went with their first choice which was Fertility Port.

Before going over for Egg Collection, I had a scan on cycle day 10 in the UK to check how I was responding to the medication, how many follicles I had, lining thickness etc. As I was responding well, we then were booked in for the collection. I then had multiple scans at the clinic in Prague (I think 4-5) prior to collection which were included in the cost of the treatment. We stayed for 12 days in total and some of the days I didn't visit the clinic at all. We could have had the transfer done too but I was high risk of OHSS so had a freeze all cycle and went back over in May for the transfer.

I had to have blood tests prior to going over such as TSH/FSH/LH - These were done by my GP when we went to them when struggling to conceive.

I then had to pay for an AMH blood test (I had this done with Asda Doctor Online for around £30) and did it myself at home.

When we got to the clinic we both had to have STD tests, again these were included in the cost of the treatment. I had to have a pre-op done prior to collection at a nearby hospital in Prague which was around £75.

It all sounds so daunting but it was actually quite an easy process.

Is there anything in particular you'd like to know?

@Infertilitylife Was this your first cycle and can I ask your age? I'm 41 this year and and the next cycle will probably be my last so I need to make sure I choose the correct facility!

I chanced upon YourIVFJourney and they are an agency founded by a couple who were trying and went to Prague for treatment and now have 2 beautiful girls.

My only concern is that Create currenly have my notes which they said they can release but how comprehensive will that be? The scans will be done in the UK according to the agency and I'll only need to be in Prague for 5 days for embryo creation (we are doing PGTA) and then come back (when the PGTA is completed) for 2 days for the FET. They are also partnered with a pharmacy in the UK so meds will be procured from them. I havent actually seen the actual breakdown of the costs as I haven't completed the questionnaire (which once complete is a payment of £475 to kick start the process). So I feel a little bit blinded if I have to pay £475 to know how much it might cost in total.

Are IVF Praga Medica an agency? Or did you do eveything yourself?

I am also contemplating a 2-cycle upgrade with Create Fertility..

It doesn't seem like you'll have to be in Prague for too long then really which is a bonus. It is lovely over there too.

IVF Praga Medica are an agency but I didn't have to pay them a penny. They gave us 2 free transfer rides to/from the airport and also 2 taxi rides to or from the clinic. We also got prolonged cultivation for free.

I emailed Praga Medica and the following day they arranged a consultation with the clinic. We then did the consultation via Teams. We didn't have to pay anything until we paid our deposit to the clinic. We were then sent our protocol etc.

What is the £475 for? I did look at some companies like Your IVF Abroad but they all seemed extortionate.

Sorry I'm 35. Our issue was Male Factor problems. This was our first ever cycle of IVF anywhere - so we have been really lucky.

@Infertilitylife That's my first impression of YourIVFJourney, I mean they are not hard-selling their service but at the same time it's a 'you-need-to-want-this' approach i.e., the information they are offering is limited until I complete and pay for the questionnaire. I would commit if this was my first try I think but I know a lot more than I did 1.5 years ago so I am skeptical.

I will do my research on IVF Praga Medica, thank you, you have been helpful :)

One more question on the AMH blood test as I'm just curious, did you just walk in and ask for one? You mentioned you did it at home; did you draw your own blood? I bought a dodgy finger prick HCG blood test thing from Amazon but I would assume you need more blood than that for AMH?

@VSRCM I would be really reluctant to pay an agency personally. Definitely research Praga Medica and see what you think.

I ordered the kit from Asda Online Doctor and they sent everything in the post. It is a finger prick test but you have to fill up the whole vial. My sister in law helped as it was really tricky trying to get enough blood myself. I also had to do the finger prick about 4 times to get enough blood. I do believe though you can pay extra for a doctor/nurse to do it for you.