Newbie - Recommendations for Perth Specialists?

[jules30]

Hello

I am a new member who just this week was told that ivf would be my only chance of conceiving. I am 30 yrs old, fiance' is 31yrs. We had been ttc for 18 months.

Can anyone please assist with offering their experiences with specialists or fertility clinics in Perth. I had a read of some old posts from previous discussions on the topic but just putting it out there again for any other recent experiences.

Thanks.

[Kat]

Hi there

I went to see Fertility Specialist of WA - they are based at Bethesda hospital in Claremont. You have Dr Love, Dr Aitken, and Dr Yeap. They are all wonderful, helpful Dr's !
I couldnt recommend them highly enough... I finished my first IVF cycle a month ago, and got my BFP...

Good luck, I hope it is a quick journey for you..

Kat

[jules30]

Thanks for the tips. I have got some info on costs etc in the mail from Pivet and Concept. I will follow up on getting info on your suggestion.

Excellent news on your BFP Kat. Congratulations!!

[drbeee]

I am with Erica Shellabear and Concept (at KEMH). Concept have been great. the rooms appear a bit rough, and the coffee is appalling, but the staff are lovely and supportive, and I think thats very important.

[Kat]

Hi Caro - I originally saw Dr Love - but Dr Yeap ended up doing my EPU and ET. Missed out on meeting Dr Aitken Have heard he is lovely..

Kat

[sushee]

I went to Concept and saw Dr Chris Nichols, who went on to be my ob too. Was very happy with Dr Nichols and I love Concept. Yes the rooms are a little rough, but it's a great clinic, with the friendliest staff you'd ever meet.

[Aramis7]

We're with Concept. +1 on the friendliness of the staff and the poor coffee ! ;-)

[drbeee]

but at 7.30am in the morning, I will drink anything!

[jules30]

Ive been told by concept that Dr Mazz is going to be the earliest to get into for appt. 1 doc is on hols the others have large waiting lists (apparently..).

But i have held back on making an appt yet with him as i haven't seen him recommended as much as others. Anyone had personal experience with him?

I know that they are all fertility specialist but I also have probs with minimal BUT very painful endometriosis. I had a 3rd lap a couple of weeks ago (previous for endo & adhesions) and the gyno found more endo spots but didn't get them out cos they said it was so minimal wouldn't affect my fertility. Yet I would have appreciated it to actually help alleviate some of my pain!! i was pretty peeved!

So, If anyone also has similar endo issues and could recommend a doc who would help with that too at the same time, please suggest.

[sushee]

Jules,

I'll be blunt because it'll save you time if this applies to you: if you are overweight, forget using Dr Mazz. He will not treat you if you're overweight.

Other than that, I hear he's great, esp with women who have had recurrent m/cs. I called the clinic when I was looking for a Dr and explained that I was overweight (not hugely, but still) and they basically told me which Drs would take me on. My weight has never been a barrier to ovulation, so I have never considered it a problem as far as my fertility was concerned.

You can try booking with an FS (even if it's a far away appt) then calling every week to see if they can get you in earlier. This is what my cousin did with Dr Nichols and ended up getting an appt 2 months earlier than her initial one.

Good luck.

PS I avoided the coffee at Concept at all costs!

[KatieRabbit]

Hi Jules
I was told exact same thing as you (I am 33) but I though I would try Fertility Care in Yokine first (not an IVF clinic though) and I conceived and am now 14 weeks pregnant! I saw Dr Madeleine Kho there and it is all Medicare claimable.
Good luck!

[CrazyOne]

dont know if you have already made your decision but i go to fertility north in joondalup and all the doctors up there are great...isdale, norman ( both females ) and natawala, chappel ( both male ) & the nurses at fert north are fantastic and in the mornings going in for bt's they all greet u by ur name ( dont just lift a hand to wave hello ) and i dont know how they remember all the girls names! its a fantastic place i highly recommend fert north!

[Ellie]

I'm with fert north too and they are fantastic...you feel like you are the only patient...which is really special...for me they showed their 'true colours' when I had my ectopic ...which ruptured...they literally saved my life...my Dr never left my side from when he met me in the clinic to when we went to theatre...they are the best!

[~Debbie~]

i went to Hollywood F/C. The staff where very nice. I cant remember for the life of me the name of the main specialist there, maybe Perkins? Not sure. But, he came recommended to me from several people.
I never ended up needing further treatment thankfully as got my BFP after my initial consult.

[sonya1]

i am a current patient of Dr Mazz. he is brilliant! i dont know about the weight issue as i am underweight and he said it was no problem (and i am VERY underweight- not by choice!) he has been with me every step and answers all my questions without making me feel silly. i would recommend dr mazz and concept anytime. they are better for pricing too. my ivf cycle 1 with blastocyst will cost me $1400 out of pocket! thats only through medicare. next time my private health covers a few more costs...good luck!

[on tra_k]

Thanks to everyone for your recommendations in this thread. I just posted the same question somewhere else ... I was having trouble tracking down the right answer by searching until I stumbled across this thread.

I went to Love/Aitken as OB for my DD so am impressed (although not surprised) that they are also FS. So is that run out of another clinic? I doubt they'd make a TTCer wait in the same waiting room with all the growing bellies.

Thanks again and good luck to everyone on their journey.

[Sequoia]

I doubt they'd make a TTCer wait in the same waiting room with all the growing bellies.

TTC's see them at Bethesda and Mum's to be see them at SJOGS.

[sushee]

My FS is also an ob and his rooms for both fertility patients and pg women are out of the same place, so occasionally I would see a pg woman in the waiting area. Mind you, I think he generally saw his fertility patients and pg patients on different days though, coz it was a rare occurence.