IVF pregnancies - ARGC, CRGH or Lister

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Hi, just wondered if anyone has had ivf at ARGC, CRGH or Lister? Trying to work out which clinic to go with and it’s so hard to choose between them…

Good luck first of all! We had our DD (14 years ago) with CRGH. Just felt right. Herts and Essex fertility clinic was our other choice. It worked first time with us. All I can advise is to have a consultation with those you are seriously considering. CRGH was in King’s Cross at the time and fairly easy to get to for tests and that helped with time off from work to do so. I also just ‘had a feeling’ a positive feeling that it would work there. I feel like our Dr was Dr Saab or something like that. It just felt right. But you will get your own feeling. Wishing you all the very very best. X

Lister is a good hospital from what I know. No experience for IVF- just for other things. Also- wanted to add, they initially said ICI but someone once said, if you can afford it, go straight for IVF.

@toomuchgoingonhere thanks so much for replying. My gut instinct has been saying CRGH but I think that’s a great shout to meet with the others too to be sure. It just feels like such a huge decision. I had two miscarriages and an ectopic last year (after 18 months of trying) but nothing so far this year and due to my age I’ve decided it’s now or never for IVF. That’s so reassuring that your ‘feeling’ worked out. I’ll contact all three and then go with my gut. Thank you x

@toomuchgoingonhere I’ve heard that about Lister too - and it’s the closest one to us which is why we are considering it. Thanks for the tip on going straight for IVF rather than ICI too. There’s so much information out there it feels like a lot to get my head around! Thank you for replying x

We had DD at the Lister in 2020 on the second cycle - a lot can change in 5 years, but no complaints from our experience. Communication was good, staff were great, and I didn’t feel pressured with the hard sell for various unproven extras. Bit of a pain in the bum to get to using public transport but doable, and I was given early morning appointments to minimise the impact on my job.

Thank you for the reply. After reading comments on another thread I’m now leaning towards the Lister (although making enquiries to all three initially). I’m just about able to walk there and work from home… which I’m grateful of given the time commitment involved. So glad it worked for you on second cycle - positive stories like that fill me with hope.

My friend gave me some completely non-evidenced based tips, which seem ridiculous typing them out, but which I reasoned couldn’t hurt at the time. Most likely a placebo effect but we went from one embryo which failed to implant in cycle 1, to 3 high quality in cycle 2 including DD. They were: regular doing of the deed in the month before starting ivf, taking a high strength liposomal vitamin C supplement, and then looking at pictures of cute babies for 5 mins a day after embryo transfer. The only risk, if they were complete poppycock, was that I was down the cost of the £50 supplements (but they supposedly give you better skin so, silver lining).

We used CRGH for our unsuccessful cycle. I wasn’t a huge fan personally; the consultant we saw originally was quite rude although we then moved to a consultant who was much better. They were spectacularly unhelpful when I felt terrible after one procedure (I think the dummy transfer) and I ended up hiding in the toilet, thinking I was going to pass out.

@IrrationalIvy, i will most definitely now be adding these to the list! Thank you! I’m sure my OH will approve of the first one 🤣

@mynameiscalypso that’s really good to know - thank you. I’ve seen similar reviews online which is definitely putting me off them. I went through a lot last year so definitely want to try and make sure I’m somewhere that’s as empathetic and helpful as possible. I hope you’ve since had better luck elsewhere x

Another insane tip - talk to the back of your car as if you're driving and talking to a baby in a car seat!

(I cannot tell you how much weird shit I did - best of luck x )

I don’t know whether it helped or not but the Zita West hypno stuff and acupuncture. The acupuncture was during the ivf. Never know do you?

We had our DD with crgh in 2019, about to head back there for a fet. We found them a bit cold but that's where our embryos are stored and they seem to know the right formula to get me pregnant. Possibly my feelings are complicated by having a cycle that ended in miscarriage there, and then them discovering that I had cancer which has delayed having another baby by 4 years, I should probably be grateful but it's been a hugely traumatic period of my life so I'm not keen to go somewhere I associate with everything that's happened. Hopefully it will work and I can complete my family and not have to go to a fertility clinic ever again!

I’ve been doing acupuncture for a little while and my acupuncturist is very sure it helps with IVF. I’ve read evidence both ways but going to carry on as it’s relaxing and, as you say, you never know x

@Octaviathethird oh gosh, I’m so sorry to hear about the cancer diagnosis - can’t imagine how hard it’s been and how horrible it must be to have to go back there again now. I hope it all works out so it will take you full circle in a way… everything crossed for you x

I’m currently pregnant from my first NHS cycle which was at UCLH/CRGH. No complaints with CRGH. Had great service when I was there. They do all collections and transfers and weekend scans for nhs patients.

I was 40 and hit pregnant first cycle which I wasn’t expecting so from an outcome point of view they were great.

all the clinic you are looking at are very good though. It’s a lot of scans and disruption to work so closeness and convenience is a reasonable way to decide I think.

@PrincessofLiechtenstein, congratulations on your pregnancy. And amazing it was your first cycle. It’s so reassuring to hear positive stories (especially over 40). Do you mind me asking if you were taking any extra supplements/made any lifestyle changes? I’m on a fertility multivitamin plus the advised dose of coq-10/ubiquinol already (and including all the recommended ‘fertility boosting foods in diet). My OH is on a fertility multi vitamin and fish oil… just need to work on him reducing/giving up alcohol!

That’s good advice on going close and convenient when choosing a clinic - that’s Lister for me so I’m going to try and get a consultant appointment asap as just want to get moving now.

I took a mixture of ovum, zita west and wild nutrition supplements based on what I could get on offer. A conception multivitamin plus extra DHA, coq-10 and vitamin d.

DH was on a male conception multivitamin, Coq-10 DHA/Omega 3 and vitamin d. We both gave up drinking (95% at least) and he was going to the gym more and gave up cycling. Healthy diet but not dieting with good amounts of eggs and full fat organic dairy to avoid hormones in cows milk (only at home though, wasn’t obsessive if I wanted a coffee or something.)

I also took a vagina health probiotic, although that was mainly because I was getting thrush from the gel they use for scans.

I think some of those things probably helped, but a portion of it is luck as well.

Good luck. Really hope it works for you

Years ago now, but I had multiple cycles at both ARGC and Lister. Two pregnancies via ARGC, but sadly miscarried. Finally got my DS via Dr Gorgy in Wimpole Street. He's ex ARGC .

Lister in comparison to ARGC, was a gentler (and cheaper) experience. ARGC, imho, is not for the faint-hearted; it's incredibly tough.

@PrincessofLiechtenstein, I was on Zits West but switched to Ovum last month as had heard good things. Will look to start taking extra vitamin d too (I’ve been outside a lot this summer so hopefully that’s helped with that too). Thanks for the tip on full fat dairy -don’t usually drink much milk but will add it to the shopping list.

I did a vaginal microbiome test a few weeks ago and came back good but will look at probiotics too as there seems to be a lot of research happening in that area at the moment so will surely help.

And yes, a good dose of luck is really what I need. Going to go into it as positive as I can and just hope I’ll be sharing a positive story on here one day…

@Oriunda , sounds like it was a long journey for you but so glad you got your happy ending. That’s really useful to hear the difference between the two in terms of how tough they are.

Thank for, I hope that wherever you choose to go, your treatment is successful and as non stressful as possible. Good luck! x

I sort of decoded that once you upgraded from the standard multi vitamin the different brands were all about the same so just prioritised what was easiest to get hold of/ on 3 for 2!

The vitamin d is the one thing my clinic recommended so do add that going into the winter.

Its a long process so be kind to yourself and try to find some nice things to do to take your mind off things.

This is similar to me. Did you go with CRGH in the end?
4 miscarriages including 1 ectopic:( with tube removal thank you xx