We have had great responses from Concept with Dr Mazzucchelli. He sent us off to do a few tests to discover if anything could be causing our issues.
I recently went for a HSG and blood test DH went for a Sperm Test and Bloodwork. It seems that he has started producing sperm that are mature now. They found a few in his latest sample so we are now suffering from a low count. DH works as a welder though and didn't use any breathing equiptment and has done so for the past 2 months. We are thinking that this might be the cause of his pick up in sperm count.
Through the HSG we found that I might have a Fibroid Tumor on the top of my uterus that we would not otherwise of known about. I need an ultrasound to confirm though. This could be a reason for non conception as the fertilized egg might be having problems in attatching itself due to the growth.
So all in all we are quite content with Dr Mazz.
His initial appointment is $100 ($70 odd from Medicare) then its $50 for additional appointments for us.
The blood and semen analysis were done for free but the HSG was rather costly which we had done at St John of God Hospital at the SKG labs for $258 with $96.55 returned through medicare.
Hope all is well for you both.
Mona this new clinic sounds good with the low waiting period. Lord knows we need more specialists. My husband was referred to a male specialist and we need to wait nearly 3 months for him to get an appointment. EEPP!! My specialist was not that bad but it was still about a month to wait.
We had our first appointment. Dr Aitkin is really great. The details of the clinic are as follows incase you are wondering. Fertility Specialists of Western Australia, 9340 6419, Consulting suites, Bethesda Hospital, 25 Queenslea Drive Claremont. He also has a private room at suite 209, St John of God Medical Clinic 9382 9435. He used to work at Concept. I suppose that is just incase your husband doesnt want to wait that long.
The new clinic sounds good, I hope it works for you. We have been trying now for 3 years, the past 1 year with Dr Nichols, but no luck so far, and he is very frustrating to get information from. I have been on clomid and done IUI, but my hormones seem to be all over the place, so I want to go to someone who is proactive and doesn't just say lets see how it goes and doesn't explain what is going on very well. I know it is a lottery and a waiting game, but I think more can be done - very frustrating! I am with Concept at the moment and they seem very good. I have heard that Dr Mazzachelli is meant to be very good, as is Dr Love. I have decided to make an appointment with Dr Graeme Thompson as I have heard also that he is meant to be excellent. I guess in the end they all do the same thing, but it is who you feel comfortable with is what counts??? I am also seeing a Natropath so hopefully both will work together. I am also thinking/looking into acupuncture, has anyone tried this or know of someone good?
I have had one appointment with Dr Mazzucchelli at Concept, and I am unsure if I should look elsewhere. I did not feel that comfortable with him, he seemed a little vague and not very friendly. I guess that sounds stupid, if he has a good reputation then thats the main thing? Can anyone let me know if they, or someone they know have used Dr Mazzucchelli and had success? He mentioned he would only transfer one blastocyst, and if possible I would prefer 2.
Also, can anyone give me a very rough approx out of pocket cost to have IVF at Pivot or Hollywood? I do have the top level of HBF (not sure how much they give back anyway !). Dr Mazzucchelli said the out of pocket expense with him at Concept would be approx $2000. Also do you know if they transfer one or two blastocyst?
Kat
I don't want to say anything bad about anyone but I saw Dr Mazzuchelli and to be honest I agree with you. I was unfortunately on the public system and did not have a choice but to see him. I did 1/2 an IVF cycle and he couldn't access my ovaries so that was it. I was told I needed an op to free them up. I had that op and then went back to see Dr Mazzuchelli but this time as a private patient. I was told after the op that the only way to get to my ovaries for EPU was via laparoscopy. Dr Mazzuchelli told me they don't do laps for EPU anymore. He was vague and he wasn't very nice about it. He basically looked out the window when he said he couldn't help us. DH then started getting angry and asked what we can do now?? We want kids!
He then fluffed around and basically fobbed us off to another Dr. I then thought about Pivet but then decided on Hollywood in the end. We had an appointment with Dr Perkins in May, I was on my first IVF cycle in June. They managed to do an EPU transvaginally. I was then told that if the ultrasound tech can see my ovaries with an internal u/s, he can access them. And he did. Dr Mazzuchelli DID an internal u/s and saw my ovaries but then said he couldn't do an EPU. I ahve been with Holltwood since May and I have found them so great. The nurses are awesome and honestly it was the best move I made.
I can tell you what I paid also (out of pocket)
$1600 for the IVF cycle
$655 for the hospital bed (EPU)
$350 for the anaesthetist ( take to medicare for rebate)
$100 for the Dr consult ( that was in may)
$275 for the embryo freezing
$150 for blastocyst
I have a lot of other info on here, if you want I can scan this and email it to you.
I do have to say I know a lot of people do like Dr Mazzuchelli and have had success with him. But if you don't feel comfortable with him I would suggest either seeing another Dr at Concept or going somewhere else. I think that being comfortable with your Dr and the nurses at the clinic helps.
Here is my email if you'd like to email me
Hi Mona,
We are with Concept at the moment and while they seem fine, I dont know how I feel about my Dr. I was a few minutes late for an appt and he just walked out, no phone call etc. This makes me a little unsure of what to expect next time. I couldnt get in for another appt with him for 6 weeks so i just left it and am seeing my GP who used to work in a fertility clinic & hope she can answer my questions. I was thinking about other clinics and have heard good things about FSWA - what are your thoughts? Also, are they significantly more expensive than the other clinics?
star gazer - I am currently at FSWA and really like all of the staff there.
Although they haven't yet achieved the results that we want, it is a really friendly environment. They aren't cheap though (I have curent cost sheets, PM me if you like) and they are only a couple of years old so they haven't got a huge set-up.
I also went to Concept and the clinic was lovely and so was my FS. There are many consulting specialists who work out of Concept so if you're having issues with your FS, you can change dr without changing clinics. Who's your current FS?
Hi Sushee,
My FS is Dr Thompson. I dont like to say anything negative about ppl, and realise that we all have personalities that we click with or dont, but i was rather put off by the walk out. Other drs/ppl in allied health have said he can be difficult so i guess i bore the brunt of it this time! I think i will do my next cycle and see how he is with me at pick up/transfer. If i still feel uncomfortable, will look on. I didnt know if Drs would take on a patient from a peer at their clinic - ie to avoid "office politics" emerging. What do you think?
I think it's fair to expect that, sometimes, a relationship between Dr and patient just doesn't work, and I suspect they would rather you changed Drs than clinics, IYKWIM. I know of at least two women who changed Drs within Concept.
Often when we're going in for the first time, we choose the Dr who is closest to home or can get us in the earliest - not the best way to pick a Dr! If you're lucky you get someone you gel with and all is good, but sometimes you get someone who just doesn't work out. You are paying for the service, by all means don't be afraid to shop around for someone you can connect with. And personally if your current FS ever bothers to ask you why you switched, I'd be honest with him just so he knows for next time.
BTW as an on-going patient, we've never waited more than 2 weeks to see my FS, so if you're having to wait 6 weeks between appts, I'd switch too if I were you.
Hi Bec,
Not sure if i have responded directly to you, but i am at Concept. Im having difficulty getting in to see my FS and spoke to my GP about this. She suggested another FS perhaps - Dr Yeap at FSWA - where you said you were. How do you find it there? What time do they open for blood tests? Do they allow you to pay the gap or do you have to pay in full up front? Sorry - so many questions! Could you send me the fee schedule for FSWA - Im hoping they arent significantly more expensive than Concept as we are building at the moment, am off on a short break on tuesday and everything is adding up to be a bit of a financial drain at the moment!
Whis is your FP?
Thanks so much!
I was just wondering if anyone is still reading this thread. My clinic has dropped the ball yet again and I want to know if I should change or do they all make a lot of mistakes and if I should, then where to?
I'm not sure what you mean by 'mistakes' but I've never really had any issues with Concept and my FS (though my FS doesn't consult for Concept anymore, I understand). Concept was professional and wel-organised and I was more than happy with their service.
I guess it all depends of why your current clinic isn't meeting your expectations in the first place. Would another clinic meet those expectations? It's hard to say without knowing exactly what went wrong in the first place.
Though ultimately, I don't think switching clinics because you're unhappy with your current one is unreasonable.
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I know of at least two women who changed Drs within Concept. 
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