Clinics in Ireland - IVF

[Clara202]

We want to be prepared if the time comes to make that decision. We will likely qualify for the publicly funded scheme. What clinic did you use, why and were you happy? Any recommendations on consultants? We have had some tests done and are awaiting the results. TTC for 7 months, age 38. Thank you

I got treatment via the public funded scheme and I went to the Waterstone Clinic because I'm from Cork and it was the most convenient option for me. You get to rank your choices of clinic like the CAO form.

There were some annoying delays with my referral but I was happy with the treatment. It's a very busy clinic and you rarely see the same person twice, but I didn't mind that at all. If you're looking for continuity of care then another clinic might suit you better.

I ended up having to have a freeze all cycle because I responded too strongly to the stims so it would have been too dangerous to proceed with a fresh transfer. I ended up with way too many eggs but that resulted in lots of embryos making it to the freezing stage. The HSE will pay for transfers of frozen embryos until you either have a baby or run out of embryos. They will also pay for the storage of any frozen embryos until your baby's second birthday.

My first frozen transfer worked and my baby is due soon. If you have any questions about the process, feel free to ask.

@RitaFires thank you so much for that information and congratulations on your impending arrival. My clinic choices will likely be one of the Dublin ones. I am undergoing tests privately at the Merrion at the moment as it’s walking distance from work, but I have no other real information on them or any reviews. We just wanted a few scans and tests done anywhere before the public referral crops up to hopefully save time when we are eventually called to the Coombe. All depends on what comes from results of the tests I suppose. I will definitely refer back here if I have any more questions on the public process. Thanks again.

My friend used Sims had success, I've heard great things about them! I had 2 self funded rounds of ivf in TF both terrible rounds, my issue was low amh I just feel TF are not experienced in certain issues if your not a straight forward case

@Clocloxx The impression I got from TF from reading forums is that they’ll treat everyone and anyone, people who might not be suitable for treatment in one place for whatever reason seem to always get treated in TF. That said, I’ve seen plenty of success stories from there also. What’s your plan going forward? Have you another clinic in mind or anything?

Hi Clara I asked TF to change to lower stims for a 3rd round and Dr J told me that's ridiculous I should be going higher, it contradicted everything I read about lower stims for low amh, I feel they have a one size fits all, anyway I done my final round in serum in athens low does stims tripled the amount of eggs collected transfer on day 3 and now currently 18 weeks pregnant, I regret doing a second round with TF

@Clocloxx that’s great, congratulations! Can I ask why you didn’t go with another clinic in Ireland? Or did you just feel that you’d have a better chance abroad?

I had success with sims on the first round at 37. Went for pgta due to my age and miscarriage history. I was going to go for the 3 rounds with access fertility but I couldn’t do that with the pgta. First frozen transfer was a success (well so far I’m still pregnant, due in summer). It’s a busy place and I had appointments with the dr by phone only but that didn’t bother me. Found the nurses mostly very helpful and any query I had was answered quickly.

@TheIceBear congratulations! I just had to research what pgta is. There’s so many abbreviations around IVF that I wasn’t aware of. The months are flying by so quickly, I hoped I’d be pregnant by now but I’m realising now there’s a lot to think about if/when we have to do IVF. This forum has been so helpful so far. I hadn’t looked into sims much at all, but I will now.

Thank you, well everyone I spoke too always insisted ivf is more advanced aboard better labs better doctors/embryologist etc and from my experience I have to agree, it's just alot of time and money to go aboard but obviously if it works it's worth it!

@Clocloxx if I was to pay privately I probably would go abroad but as I’ll meet the criteria for a free round here I figured I may as well try so I’m just hoping I strike gold and choose the right place!

Sims seems to be really good in Ireland, best of luck 💫x

Hi there - can I ask what clinic you went to abroad? Getting a lot of resistance at my clinic in Ireland to do additional testing (PGT / environment / etc.). Hearing the same about experience, innovation, and quality abroad.

@Margiegirl which clinic are you currently with, if you don’t mind me asking?

I’m with MFC, I chose them for convenience to work, their association with NMH and the fact they are a non-profit. My experience has largely been positive but then I have nothing to compare it to! But we’re happy with our consultant, consultations are never rushed, we always have plenty of time to ask a million questions. All of the staff are lovely and very professional. We considered going abroad, but for us IVF is stressful enough without adding travel into the mix.

@GabbyGal would you mind if I sent you a private message?

Waterstone. I have had friends at other clinics with similar feedback as well.