I haven't posted on this form for ages but just saw your post and wanted to reply
When we found out that we would probably need IVF to conceive, I started looking at websites and specialists. After thoroughly reading through several sites, Sydney IVF was at the top of my list. There was 1 specialist there (Dr Derek Lok) that I wanted so badly to see as he specialises in Male Factor and thats what our problem is, he sounded so good. He operates from 3 city clinics but even the closest clinic to us was a whopping 9hr drive away! So I reluctantly chose a regional SIVF clinic which in hindsight was a massive mistake.
Anyway, the regional clinic (in Lismore NSW) was basically a gyno's office and he had an IVF programme that ran every 3 months which was when the scientists came up. This Dr put me through the ringer with 1001 tests and after I checked out fine he wanted to put me on clomid for 6 months 'because we're only young' (me 25, DH 26 at the time) and if that didn't work then we'd do IUI, then IVF then ICSI even though DH had a motility rate of 1%!!!
I thought this was outrageous and after lots of thinking I decided to email Dr Lok (who I originally wanted to see) to see if he'd give me his thoughts on our then Dr's plan. In a careful way he basically said it was pointless and that from what we've told him we would definitely need IVF, probably ICSI and that because we were young and hadn't fallen pg in 18months that it meant that there was a problem and that we needed help, rather than brushing us off due to our age.
So I had a phone appt with him, then we were off to Sydney for DH's test.
To cut a huge long story short (lots of complications inbetween) we are now in teh 2WW of our first IVF/ICSI cycle and we cannot speak highly enough of Dr Lok regardless of the results. From the first time we met him, during EPU, ET etc he has put us at ease straight away, made us feel comfortable, I am happy to leave everything up to him, I feel safe and trust his decisions. (We saw him at the Liverpool clinic). The nurses were also really good, very friendly, happy to answer any questions etc. I have felt a bit neglected being in a regional area, but I cleared all of that up with them in Sydney last week.
Honestly, ring SIVF. On their website I think they have a number to call that is specifically for feedback/complaints. I have found them to be fantastic (haven't been to the city clinic though, well, I have once but only for DH's 2nd sperm test) very thorough and careful, helpful and supportive.
Feel free to ask any questions and best of luck to you.
My husband and I are also with Dr.Lok and I can't agree more with what FJL has said above.
I am a Sydney-sider and I work in the city. For the initial testing my husband went to IVF Australia and once we got the results (100% binding anti-sperm anti-bodies) we were referred to Dr. Lok at Sydney IVF. We see him in the city.
I have never once felt rushed when we have met with him and he has been very helpful in explaining things and answering questions vai email if I had any.
The nurses at Sydney IVF have been great as well (very calming and reassuring). I am in my first ICSI cycle and it's all been quite overwhelming with the injections etc. Hopefully EPU sometime this week.
I am very happy with Dr. Lok and very happy to let him do what he does best - help people get pregnant.
Anyway - I haven't been anywhere else to give any different comparison, but I'm happy. I don't feel lilke I'm missing anything, if you know what I mean.
I've been going to IVF Australia for over a year now, for 6 rounds of clomid, and just had my 3rd IUI today. The nurses there are absolutely wonderful. They are so empathetic and you definitely do not feel like a 'number'.
The doctors there are really great too. I would highly recommend them
I went with IVF Australia and I highly recommend them, Dr Gavin Sacks was our FS and I have been to their clinics in the City, Maroubra, Kogarah and Westmead - Staff were always friendly, empathetic, helpful and professional at every clinic. And Dr Sacks just rocks the universe LOL!
Personallly, I think the prices charged by SIVF are outrageous...
I firstly went to IVF Aust, I don't have issues with the nurses there but I do have a problem with my FS. I don't find him empathy enought and it seems that everytime in our precious 1 hour consultation (which cost me a lot), he is more interested in his Japan skiing experience than my ovary.
So I changed to SIVF. We have done 2 stim cycles now with Dr. Mark Livingstone and he is wonderful. I also think the nurses there are brilliant, very thorough, professional and caring.
I also heard that SIVF has higher standard/or tighter guildlines than most clinics technically as well, for example, their standard transfer is 5-day blastcyst to ensure the quality of the embyros while other clinics can do 2 or 3 day embyros. Their guildline for sperm analysis is also the toughest for motility, morphology and counts. My husband's morphology tested at IVF Aust was 46% normal and it dropped a lot when we re-tested in SIVF.
That's just my personal story/opinion, not neccesarily to say the SIVF is better than IVF Aust (I heard lots of great things about Dr.S from IVF Aust). So I guess it is about what you feel comfortable with, whether you have chemistry with the particular person you are seeing.
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