Feel like giving up with Create

[RainbowFluff]

I’ve had two cycles with Create now. The first one was ok, I had 13 eggs retrieved but only 4 mature, all fertilised and had 2 healthy at day 5 and one too small to freeze. Ended up with one fresh transfer, got to 7 weeks and then had MMC. My frosty from that round didn’t implant, it was a 4CC so my hopes weren’t that high.

My frustration with Create started when planning the next cycle. They seemed to just agree to anything I suggested from my not very scientific internet research, and didn’t really seem proactive in suggesting any changes to the protocol. For example they said they would keep everything the same other than the trigger shot to try to help the maturity rate to improve, but then when I asked about a higher dose of gonal-F they agreed straight away despite having told me I had the highest dose in my previous cycle. In the end I got fed up with their lack of ownership and had a consultation with a Harley Street clinic but they said my first cycle had been so good that they wouldn’t change anything from what Create had done.

Despite my reservations and a lot of comments I’ve seen about Create not really personalising the protocol, I went ahead with another cycle. Since my first cycle I’d completely quit alcohol (had cut down before first cycle), quit caffeine, reduced exercise and made a lot of dietary and supplement changes so I was expecting the same outcome if not better. Then in my second cycle which was planned for PGT-A, not a single embryo made it to day 5. Create said it’s just random chance, happens sometimes and they wouldn’t change anything in the next cycle. I did have 5 mature eggs this time, only 4 fertilised, so the change in trigger shot didn’t make much difference (I had buserelin). They said I can go back to ovitrelle next cycle if I want to (I’m sure it’s related to buserelin that my MH has been terrible for the last 2 months).

I’m trying to work out if I feel so despondent just because of the medication, if I need to change clinic or if I need to be a bit more resilient and just carry on.

What size do create collect at - can you remember your sizes at trigger? Is one option for increasing maturity potentially pushing for an extra day of stimulation?

I regret going with Create, they caused me so much stress with their admin errors. I did 3 cycles and they didn’t do things differently each time as they said I was a “normal responder”.

I went abroad subsequently; no success yet but 4 embryos created in a DuoStim cycle. Much more pleasant and almost stress-free. Very competent coordinators, the doctor will consider my requests/opinions and will either agree or disagree based on their experience. They also don’t make me drink till my bladder is about to explode before the transfer.

That said, I see success stories with Create on here. I just don't think the overall experience was worth it.

I actually don’t know this, I guess I could ask them? They have a line on the computer screen and book the EC when enough follicles are over the line, I’ve always had the minimum days of stims so could definitely be worth asking for an extra day.

@RainbowFluff see if they'll give you a photo or screenshot of your follicular growth graph. It may yield some interesting info, particularly if you need to discuss your situation with a different clinic.

@RainbowFluff arghhh sorry to hear you're struggling with Create - I have similar frustrations with the admin & patient coordinators (loose term I think!). I overresponded to the gonal-F so I had to freeze; 15 eggs at EC, 10 fertilised but only 1 embryo on day 5, it was so gutting and they were surprised too, looked into it for me but it just was "no reason" so can't give any indication as to how to improve next time.

The worst part was that on the EC treatment summary, they mistakingly wrote 24 discarded when they meant 14, and it just pissed me off - that's an error I can notice, and picked up on - but what else are they messing up?

This isn't the first thing by a long shot; started with them in August booking me into IVF when I wanted IUI, then when it was unsuccessful, gave me a follow up over the phone with the wrong doctor who berated me for trying IUI in the first place - I kicked up a fuss then and got a new patient coordinator and a proper consultation with my doctor who calmed me down a bit.. but all of this doesnt fill you with confidence when you are trusting them with something so huge!

They've also got my payments wrong at least 3 times trying to charge the wrong amount.

Anyway, moan over! The nurses are all lovely and kind but the admin being rubbish causes unnecessary stress I think, and doubt when you all you want is to be reassured.

Let me know if you do end up changing clinic, I've thought about it but been worried about fees for transporting sperm & starting somewhere new is a bit daunting

@RainbowFluff I had my initial scan with Create, and they've recommended further scans for myself and tests for my husband. However, I’ve been having to chase the patient coordinator to get these booked in myself. She barely responds to my emails, and when she does, the questions aren't answered, and I don't hear back until the next day. She never calls back either. This is just the initial stage, and I'm really worried that if I go ahead and continue treatment with them, it’s going to be a very stressful experience.

I’m with the St Paul’s clinic and found they do need a lot of chasing. Our patient co-ordinator sent us quite a few incorrect cost plans when we were initially discussing treatment, and even now when I’ve asked for a meeting to discuss if I’m having another cycle they told me that I don’t need to see a doctor (even though they told my partner that I do because they want to change some things due to my last cycle not being good). So now I’m having to chase up because they’ve booked me the wrong kind of appointment. I wish I could tell you that the admin was better but it’s not great unfortunately.