Sydney IVF ladies...

Hi all,

I'm new to the forums, but would like to ask a question. For those ladies doing ivf in Sydney, which clinics did you choose and why- if thats not too personal?

I need to choose one and don't understand why they vary so much in costing. Does it mean that the cheaper they are, the less quality care? Or does it just mean that some doctors are greedier than others? (Without meaning to bag any of them out).

Do they have waiting lists? Also- are there any girls from the country undertaking ivf? How do you find all the travelling or do you stay down there short term?

Please help, Thankyou muchly,

Sandy xoxo

I'm going through similar processes at the moment, but while I know we do need some help, I'm hoping that it won't get to the point of IVF (but I guess everyone does, don't they!).

For me, I'm looking at the doctors first, and the clinic is secondary. I do know that there are some regional centres... IVF Australia has a clinic on the central coast, while Sydney IVF has centres in quite a few places, so you may find that you won't need to come all the way to Sydney.

BW

Honestly I think it really depends on the doctor in the end. You will find that initially it seems there are huge cost differences but often it ends up very similar when you consider all things you need. I have found that the various clinics tend to layout the costs differently which makes it difficult to compare directly.

I have previously been with a clinic of Sydney IVF and was not all that happy and am now with IVF Australia and much happier (although am yet to complete a cycle with them - but happy with service and testing so far). For us it came down to the doctor.

Hope you get some results soon... Good Luck and feel free to ask any more questions - if we can help, we are more than happy to!

Hi Sandy,
I have been with Sydney IVF for 2years working with the satelite team out of Coffs Harbour - whilst I liked the doctors and especially the co-ordinating nurse I have now found that Sydney IVF do not offer as many other services as other IVF clinic, eg if you do end up requireing donors of any sort Sydney IVF do not have registers and you must find your own, Sydney IVF do not have embryo donors where as most the others do. The other clinics seem to be more flexible , it has been explained to me from other clinics that most IVF treatments do not vary too much but its what other treatments they can offer you that counts and most of all you must like and trust the doctor as this is such a very personal journey you do not want to feel like a number. I have nothing against Sydney IVF I just feel now we have more chance with another clinic as we are now looking at donor embryos. Do some research on the computer, look up leading IVF clinics Australia (google search) read all their info and then call them for a chat. Good luck and I hope all your dreams come true. If I can be of any more help let me know.

Lissie

Hi There,

Im seeing a dr at IVF Australia, but Ive heard through a gyno that the best success rates at the moment with IVF are at a place called Fertilty First in Hurstville. Ive made an app to go and have a chat and see if I like it!

Hope this help!

HI matey.. I saw SIVF in O'Connell street in the city, but was living in Taree at the time of undergoing treatment. It was a 4 hour trip both ways... the reason why i went with these guys was, we used to live in Sydney prior to living in Taree, and my old gyno in sydney worked for these guys. I could of used SIVF port macquarie, but didn't want to deal with a new doctor. SIVF in the city is really expensive, but IVF Australia is cheaper in Sydney. However SIVF satellite clinics are cheaper than their city clinic... I don't know why?

Leis x

Thankyou very much ladies, your replies were greatly appreciated.

Yes, I've spoken to the "go-between" (as I like to call her LOL) lady at Tamworth for Sydney IVF, but she kindly informed me that they no longer do the monthly visits and procedures in Tamworth.. not sure if that's the same for all of their regional clinics, but is so for Tamworth, just our luck... 6hr down and back here we come for the next 3 or so months :) So, yeah, we have to go to Sydney, so now I figure I have a free choice, so I'm just doing lots of reading, emailing and phoning.

Having said that though, we are heading down this weekend to Sydney IVF's Kent St clinic to get DH's trial wash done. The report will be sent back to the Go-between at Tamworth, she will explain it and it will basically have a reccommendation in it which will advise us of which treatment plan we will have done, should we decide to go with Sydney IVF... figured it would be good to get it out of the way before xmas gets too hectic and then we have a few weeks to think things through.

So I'll let you know how we go! Thanks again,

Sandy xoxo

Hiya,

I've done 5 stimulated cycles and one frozen cycle with IVF Australia in Chatswood. I think they are great and have got to know the majority of their doctors and really like and respect them My doctor in particular, was wonderful. I have a 2 year old from my first cycle, and am now 11 weeks pregnant with my second baby (and I'm 40). I really felt he stuck with me the whole way and was postive and didn't give up (whereas if I'd taken the advice of another specialist from another clinic, I'd have stopped before this last cycle)

I've been to see two doctors from Sydney IVF - and felt I didn't really gel with them. That doesn't mean that other people wouldn't and I know people who swear by them.

Finally, I think its impossible to compare results, firstly because they are published differently for each clinic (different age brackets, different end points etc) and also its impossible to compare samples. For example, some of the bigger clinics, might get more difficult cases eg women who have had repeated negative cycles, or who have other issues. I think Sydney IVF and IVF Australia probably have very similar results in reality.

Hope that helps,

Suzy

I went to Westmead Fertility centre and I have nothing but highest praise and thanks for them - twin cherubs 4/12 and not at high cost.They are not for profit organisation and are moving to a new facility /building in New year.They train a large percentage of specialists/nurses/scientists etc in Aust so they told me :). Their success artes are comparable as far as I know.
Go for it and google their website.
They let you do some tests in regional centres too I believe.

:heartbeat: Trish
"~♥~ DD Charlotte Rose 1/9/04 26wks ~♥~"
Samuel & Joel God's Gifts 1st July 06

Sandy, have you checked out SIVF website. It lists all their satellite clinics. I am sure there is a clinic in closer than Sydney.. actually Newcastle has a SIVF clinic, and Hunter IVF also run from Newcastle. Good luck... Who is your SIVF doctor? leis x

Hi girls!

Leis, at SIVF, the reccommended doctor is Mark Livingstone, DH had his trial wash done this morning, we just got home- Newcastle may be the go now, as it's only just over 3 hours down to there, and we could probably go down and back in one day if push came to shove. We're going to wait til his results come back and see what they look like and then make a decision.

Trish, did Westmead Fertility Centre offer 5 day blasts? Just out of curiosity, as it's not on their website- this is the Centre I'm leaning towards if we choose to go all the way to Syds.

Thanks for thinking of me, have a good week if I don't get around to posting again- I'm a school teacher and I'm taking my Year 3's away on their overnight excursion Thursday/Friday, so I could be just a tad busy :)

Cheer, Love Sandy xoxo

yes Sandy Sam & Joel were actually 6 day blasts because WFC don't do transfers on Sunday.They don't charge any extra but I had to ask - it wasn't offered the first cycle.Goodluck whatever way you go.

The only thing they said was you have to have a reasonable number of eggs (?) at pickup as you don't get as many embryos that make it to blasts.

Hi trish,

Decided to make my 1st consultation with Westmed F C. It's with Dr Melhem. How long did it take once you decided IVF was what you wanted to do? On the next cycle? I'm soooooo excited! It sounds silly, I know, but after all these years, this now seems like the "natural" way. :p

Cheers, Sandy xoxo

Oh, meant to tell you- it's the 4th December- only a coupple of weeks away, even more exciting!!!!!!!!!!!

Sandy xoxo

Sandy
We decided once asap they basically said we could go ahead - the very next cycle - our appointment was 21st May and I started taking pill in June when AF came ... first egg pickup was mid July.
I started Synarel mid June and stimming - injections beginning of July.At that appointment we filled out the consents, got forms for Semen analysis, and special u/s for me - and even appointment date with nurse.It was all systems go.

We had one hiccup when the results of my hydrosalpingograph showed I had fluid in my damaged tube but the FS referred me quickly to another Dr and had it fixed via lap mid IVF before stimming. That cycle was BFN but it was all part of the learning curve.

It all happens as quickly as you decide most of the time and have money to pay. WFC is very low up front cost and they wait for most of medicare balance. They even take credit card.:)
ABS (father) is another Westmead FS success ... member search him.

GOODLUCK

Sandy... Dr Mark Livingstone, is really really good.... he sorted my cousins wife out, and another friend of mine. He is really caring.... Best of luck anyway... keep us updated with results etc.. leis x