Hi Cassie,
Was just reading this thread & thought I would give some feedback regarding SIVF. My DH & I have been doing IVF for 2yrs, we were firstly with Westmead Fertility Centre, but with all the failed cycles & the "waiting around" and "feeling like a number" with them, we got fed up & switched to SIVF, yes VERY expensive, almost triple the price of WFC, but in saying that, we are so happy with them. We actually had our first BFP with them, but unfortunatley, I m/c this month. We actually go to the clinic at Baulkam Hills (Norwest) and cannot fault them, my Doc (Dr.Jackie Greig, Castle Hill) & my nurse gave me their mbl numbers if I had any concerns, they are very caring, personable & are there to help.
I guess what I am saying is that IVF is an extremely personal, hard journey for both you and your partner/husband & sometimes we need that support and some "hand holding" from our clinics, so go with who ever you feel comfortable with. If you are not happy, than dont' stay, move onto the next clinic, my biggest regret is not leaving WFC earlier to go to SIVF, dont feel "locked in" to the one clinic.
Good luck with it all on this journey, I hope you find the right clinic
Shell xo
Hi Everyone,
Thought I'd add my comments regarding my experience between IVF Aust & Syd IVF.
I had 5 ICSI cycles & 1 frozen cycle with IVF Aust due to male infertility (May 07 - June 08). I also unfortunately had 2 miscarriages during 2 of these ICSI cycles and was extremely disappointed with the care I received by our FS at IVF Aust.
On 2+ occassions we requested a DNA fragmentation test to be done (as we had good egg numbers, fantastic fert rates, but 99% of embryos didnt get to blast stage - we had over 40 eggs collected but we only got 2 early blastocycts out of 5 fresh cycles & only ever got 1 frozen), but our FS said this wasnt necessary and husband should keep taking Menevit.
After 2nd miscarriage (scan at 6wks) showed no heart beat, we were told by our FS to "go away & came back in a few days if you start to bleed". At no stage they did suggest to run any more tests or suggest I do their miscarriage program.
I immediately rang Syd IVF and made an appointment to see Dr Helen Peric (Chatswood). The difference of care from Helen and Syd IVF is amazing, its like comparing a Hyundai (IVF Aust) & BMW (Syd IVF).
I completed their miscarriage management program & they found 2 things, my husbands DNA frag was high (39%) - even though IVF Aust said this test wasnt required!Thats why we did PICSI. I also had "high levels of Natural Killer Cells" which can cause miscarriages. Have been taking Clexane to treat this.
We have just completed out 1st cycle doing PICSI (like ICSI but a new & better solution for male infert). We got 10 eggs & 10 fertilised. We ended up getting 1 Blast, 3 expanded Blast & 1 hatched blast - The best result ever. We also got 4 in the freezer. Waiting for preg bld test result today....fingers crossed.
So I would definitely suggest Syd IVF and Helen Peric, they provide advanced & super friendly care.
Please dont waste your time at a clinic, like we did, if you dont feel comfortable with the care you are receiving, particularly if your FS doesnt seem to listen to your requests for additional tests.
IVF is such an emotional roller coaster, but hang in there, hopefully one day soon many of you will be blessed "with a little miracle"
Hi Roxygirl, thanks for sharing your story, its always helpful to hear various stories from different people.
I had some average/not so good experience with IVFA but luckily switched to SIVF after I decide to go full swing with IVF, I only did a clomid cycle with IVFA and wasn't impressed ....
I had one missed m/c in my 1st FET cycle due to Trisomy 22 (which they explained is the 2nd common cause of m/c) and wondering did IVFA bother to test what's the cause for your 2 m/cs?
My DH's sperm DNA is on the high end as well (30%) and he is doing the 2nd test hopefully the result is improving and we are due to hear from our FS how we are going with this upcoming cycle, whether its IVF, ICSI or PICSI. Just want to ask you since you did PICSI, was it because DH's DNA result that they suggested PICSI for you or there are other factors contributed to this approach?
Last edited by Cuddlepie; November 10th, 2008 at 07:50 AM.
Unfortunately IVF Aust didnt do any tests for my 2 miscarriages under their care, even though they run a miscarriage program.
But Syd IVF did & found the natural killer cells issue, which they said was probably the cause for 2 previous miscarriages. At least we know & are now trying something different - Clexane.
We are doing PICSI due to husbands high DNA frag. It has definitely given us our best result ever: - 50% (5) of eggs retreived (10) were Blast.
So would def recommend talking to your FS about it.
Syd IVF has been doing PICSI for a while, but I have also heard in past 2wks from 2 people who are going through IVF Aust that when they asked their FS (the same one I used) about PICSI they were told they dont offer it. But perhaps this was only my ex FS, not sure about other FS at IVF Aust
Good luck with your latest round - I'm sure good things are just around the corner
Just wanted to bump up this thread to see if anyone can add to it, I am currently with Dr Alison gee from SIVF - I am not unhappy with her but have decided to change FS if this cycle doesn't work. Was wondering if anyone has made a positive experience with another FS from SIVF - I am doing PGD because of a genetic conditions.
Its cassie2928 but i have changed address and forgot my password so I opened a new account....oppps
i cant believe all the feedback! Thanks so much everyone for all your help!
I have decided to go with Dr Lahoud at IVF Australia!
I am currently just at beginning of first cycle of IUI
very excited!
I am finding everyone there lovely and they always call with blood test results ontime and we always get the appt time we like before work, so far so good!
Terrible Experience with Ivf Australia St george Private Hospital
I want to share my experience with everyone that is going through this tough journey called IVF. My husband and I have been trying to fall pregnant naturally. Our Gp did our normal test that you do and we found out that my husband has low sperm and I dont ovulate
I was ref to IVF australia and I will tell you that it was the worst experience that I have ever encountered in my life. You are treated like a number and there is def no compassion or empathy at all. During my treatment i had alot of pain and as it was my first time so i didnt know what to expect and so i called the number given to me after hours to call. The nurse that answered the phone was like annoyed that i called and said to me just take PANADOL. NO explanation on any of my symptoms or any form of understanding.
When i went to Maroubra day surgery to have my egg collection it was such a cold experience that I wish no one to go through this. As soon as you woke up you see the number of eggs on your hand then they make sure that you go in the recovery room and couldn't wait for you to leave the surgery with a survey to fill out. YOU HAVE TO BE JOKING i think it would be more appropiate to post it in the mail not just hand it to you and make sure that you have the appropiate information to consider when you come of surgery!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
what has devasted me the most and has totally made me def leave this clinic is when i started bleeding I was in so much pain that i called St George Clinic where IVF australia to see if i could rush in and get looked out. This happened on a Saturday the head nurse in charge said i see you have an appointment on monday you will have to come in then and get your blood test. This was so upsetting for me that she was not understanding AT ALL. i asked to get my doctors number and she wouldnt contact him at all or give me a number i can call him on.
Please if you are considering to go to IVF australia you are making a big mistake as my friends warned me of them and i didnt listen as i was ref by my gyno and i thought they know best. Well i should of listened to my friends.
Please consider SIVF as I find them great, understanding, efficent and very compassionate. I met alot of women that went to IVF australia that left and now are in SIVF and find that they are more successful. Yes you do pay a bit more but you get the service and the success rate is there.
I also was told to do acupuncture with the ivf treatment as the percentage is high.
My girlfriends around me that have done this treatment has been succesful and now all have two kids each. I have just finished the total cycle of IVF australia and now doing acupuncture and will keep you posted with the update. But i really want to express this to those couples that need to go through this tough journey you need the support and the guidance through this time and you will not get this with IVF australia.
IF you wish to ask me any quesitons please dont hesitate to contact me
I came across this post when I was trying to get some info about IVFA. I tried to fall pregnant naturally but it do not work as most woman face. I found out that I had PCOS and my husband with low sperm count. I underwent 2 back to back cycles of ivf at IVFA which failed. I went back to my doctor who then suggested I give Westmead Fertility Hospital a go and I transfered 2 embroyos which 1 implanted successfully. 2005 I had a lovely boy and was a proud mum. My son now is 5.5 and I have been thinking of the attempt of having another child through ivf. This time its harder since I'm an Australian citizen but residing in USA. On a very short time framed journey to Australia in March 2010 I attempted a cycle of ivf at IVFA, with 18 eggs retreived and 1 embroyo transfered and 2 frozen. Once again with a failed attempt. I'm considering a journey back to Sydney this June 2011 to attempt to do a frozen embroyo transfer. I'm 34 and dont want to wait much longer with more my chances reducing as I get older.
After reading some of the blogs on this website about IVFA it's making me think if I'm doing a good decision. I was told the success rates are at 50% for under 35. I guess will have to wait and see the outcome. Fingers crossed and toes crossed it's a good one! I do agree that IVFA need to learn alot from SydneyIVF such as it's close client relationship but I guess at the end of the day it all depends on the doctor doing the procedure/treatment and how well they do it.
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April 2011
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