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Infertility

Our Infertility Support forum is a space to connect with others in the same position, discuss causes, treatment and IVF, and share infertility stories of hope and success.

Original poster

ABC IVF 2024

16 replies

teetwenty20 · 21/12/2023 22:22

Anyone starting a cycle in January with abc IVF?

This is going to be our first IVF cycle.
We are 33M & 32F, TTC for 4 years, had one ectopic 2 years ago.

We have been investigated by the NHS and they have given us a diagnosis of "unexplained infertility" which I do not really agree on but it is what it is.

We lost at the NHS postcode lottery and did not want to wait for a long period anyway so went private.
We have opted to go for ABC as its cheaper and we can maybe do 2 cycles there. We planned to start treatment in November, but they were not happy with DH's semen analysis result from the NHS! By the time he had got an appointment and another semen analysis was done, I started my period and we lost the window to start treatment! The teat was normal in the end.

I had my heart set on starting the cycle in December as I had time off from work. But my cycle date did not meet their cut off date hence things have been pushed to January! Not the greatest start! 😞

To make matters worse, my work has no IVF leave policy and I have taken annual leave as much as I could, but I did not get leaves approved for few days right in the middle of my treatment cycle due to staff shortage. The more time goes the more I feel nervous and keep wondering what will happen.

I am a bit worried about all the hidden cost that abc is throwing at us and seems like the initial costing of £2750 won't go that far.
I am now rethinking our decision to go with abc and wondering whether we would have been better luck in a "bespoke" clinic!

I would love to hear from others in the similar boat. Please do share your experiences if you have any!

OP posts:
CB2805 · 22/12/2023 11:57

Hi, I have no experience with abc but I have a long IVF journey here to share! It took us about 4yrs to achieve a BFP with all the ups and downs!
When we first started the journey I was so impatient as you are at the moment and always thought that everything will be so straight forward. And it was for the first transfer!
But lots of ups and downs, surgeries in between, lots of extra costs out of nowhere every time.We lost a small fortune in the process.
We were so fead up that we decided to go for a treatment abroad with lower costs and tbh in my experience better care as well!

it can be a long journey or can be so straight forward it depends on your luck I guess!
But with IVF patience is a key.

I wish you the best of luck and I hope you start your journey soon🫶🏻

Original poster
teetwenty20 · 22/12/2023 18:36

Thank you so much for your comment! Do you mind sharing where in abroad you went for IVF?

We did consider Spain, but neither of us can take leave from our jobs for more than 2 weeks so we postponed that idea.

OP posts:
CB2805 · 22/12/2023 22:02

@teetwenty20 we did choose Greece.
it was so hard for as well that’s why everything took so long. Also we had to travel twice to Greece as they preferred frozen transfers. But we planned everything on annual leave so we enjoyed a bit of holiday as well

anongirl133 · 23/12/2023 04:51

teetwenty20 · 21/12/2023 22:22

Anyone starting a cycle in January with abc IVF?

This is going to be our first IVF cycle.
We are 33M & 32F, TTC for 4 years, had one ectopic 2 years ago.

We have been investigated by the NHS and they have given us a diagnosis of "unexplained infertility" which I do not really agree on but it is what it is.

We lost at the NHS postcode lottery and did not want to wait for a long period anyway so went private.
We have opted to go for ABC as its cheaper and we can maybe do 2 cycles there. We planned to start treatment in November, but they were not happy with DH's semen analysis result from the NHS! By the time he had got an appointment and another semen analysis was done, I started my period and we lost the window to start treatment! The teat was normal in the end.

I had my heart set on starting the cycle in December as I had time off from work. But my cycle date did not meet their cut off date hence things have been pushed to January! Not the greatest start! 😞

To make matters worse, my work has no IVF leave policy and I have taken annual leave as much as I could, but I did not get leaves approved for few days right in the middle of my treatment cycle due to staff shortage. The more time goes the more I feel nervous and keep wondering what will happen.

I am a bit worried about all the hidden cost that abc is throwing at us and seems like the initial costing of £2750 won't go that far.
I am now rethinking our decision to go with abc and wondering whether we would have been better luck in a "bespoke" clinic!

I would love to hear from others in the similar boat. Please do share your experiences if you have any!

Hi we are starting with abc in January for secondary infertility!

We waited about 4 months to take supplements, reduce alcohol and other life style choices.

I just need to make payment to them.

I've found them good so far. Are you having ivf or icsi?

Original poster
teetwenty20 · 23/12/2023 07:24

@anongirl133 We are having IVF. what about you?

To be honest, I have found abc good too, I am just full of doubt and worry at the moment and feel like I should have done something different.

OP posts:
anongirl133 · 23/12/2023 08:04

teetwenty20 · 23/12/2023 07:24

@anongirl133 We are having IVF. what about you?

To be honest, I have found abc good too, I am just full of doubt and worry at the moment and feel like I should have done something different.

Ivf with icsi for us.

Yes me too. Just trying to stay positive! Dreading parting with that much money though, hoping it will be worth it.

Which clinic are you with? When do you start Stims?

I think I am due on the first week in January.

Original poster
teetwenty20 · 23/12/2023 08:10

Same! I have been delaying payment as I don't start treatment until 2nd week of January, but finally managed to do it on Friday. And then there will be embryo freezing and payment for that! Just hoping that it will all be worth it and I will get something greater out of it.

I am with Manchester clinic, what about you?

OP posts:
anongirl133 · 23/12/2023 08:33

teetwenty20 · 23/12/2023 08:10

Same! I have been delaying payment as I don't start treatment until 2nd week of January, but finally managed to do it on Friday. And then there will be embryo freezing and payment for that! Just hoping that it will all be worth it and I will get something greater out of it.

I am with Manchester clinic, what about you?

Have you paid for the treatment and freezing separately?

Manchester too!

camelinastorm · 27/12/2023 21:41

@teetwenty20 literally just gone through first cycle with abc it does feel like you do a bit of the leg work yourself but I cannot fault my treatment sometimes it feels that laid back it's strange but honestly it made a more relaxed experience, I just made the Dec cut off and tbh wish I'd waited until Jan as with all the shit downs for Xmas I wouldn't have been able to get in touch with anyone if I needed to, I've just had my positive confirmation we did icsi and are both over 40 had 8 eggs collected 7 fertilised, 5 made day 3 had a day 3 transfer as they were concerned only 5 made day 3, 3 made day 5 and are now froze. The only extra we have paid was the freezing. They even provided a prescription for me to get rather than have them supply the tablets. Your treatment is basically under create fertility just nurse led not dr led

Original poster
teetwenty20 · 28/12/2023 11:28

@anongirl133 Yes the payment for freezing is separate. I guess we don't know whether we will have anything to freeze yet hence the waiting!

@camelinastorm That is some great result, glad to hear that it is working for you!
Yes the laid back attitude is driving me nuts too, but I guess no point in panicking yet.
Which clinic are you with?

OP posts:
Drzoem · 02/01/2024 21:51

Hi
I’m starting with ABC IVF too in January. So far they’ve been good.
we’re both 35 and unexplained infertility. TTC 3 years.
Medications are arriving tomorrow 🤞🏼

Original poster
teetwenty20 · 07/01/2024 07:32

All the best to you @Drzoem! My medications have arrived and we are all ready, just waiting for AF to come!

OP posts:
Drzoem · 13/01/2024 19:43

hi you lovely ladies. I hope you’re all okay. My clinic has only given me 8 bemfolas. I wonder why?!? Would they give me more after scans??

Drzoem · 10/02/2024 10:02

Hi everyone,
travelling to london and that falls on bemfola days. What do I do in terms of having to keep them in fridge?? Do they have to be in the fridge? I mean the ones I’m going to use for 2 nights . Does anyone know??? Thanks

camelinastorm · 10/02/2024 13:34

@Drzoem I took a small hydroflask . I placed it on the fridge to get it as cold as possible then placed the benfola in used as normal

Jkjellyhead · 22/08/2024 09:14

Hi all, thanks for sharing stories so far. Regarding "hidden costs", how much more are we talking per cycle than the quoted £2,750? I know everyone's journey is different but I'm just looking to get a steer. CREATE are coming in around £5-6k per cycle.

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