Ivf Level Of Care

I have done my first round of IVF/ICSI and will be back for seconds soon! (I am sounding like going to eat at a buffet). Anyway, although I am generally pretty happy with my clinic, FS and the team of nurses - they have been nice along the way, there are a couple of things bugging me ... so wondering whether anyone had the same experience - or what was your experience:

1. Only saw my FS during consultations prior to starting cycle. Not throughout cycle - just the nurses. It would have been nice to get an update from him just to reassure me. Perhaps its not standard or depends on the clinic.

2.I was told by my FS that they usually have the 4 FS that rotate to do the EPU's and although he might do me, he was actually o/s for a conference. The FS that did my EPU was wonderful though. Is this standard though?

3. How much information were you given from the nurses throughout the cycle. I think that given I didnt know much I wasnt really able to ask the right questions anyway, (I sure do now), but they didnt really allude to there being any problems or anything like that IFYKWIM. So the information they gave me seemed to be topline rather than detailed (which is what I prefer).

Anyway be keen to hear your thoughts!!!!

Mon :)

Mon,

In my experience I only ever saw my FS in my appt prior to my cycle, at EPU and at transfer. My clinic's policy is that your FS does your EPU and transfer, but on one occasion he was on leave and another Dr did my EPU. He did warn me he wouldn't be there, so that was fine. The clinic rotates the Drs who do the follicular scan though.

The first few cycles, I was okay about only seeing my Dr at those times, but in latter cycles, I did not hesitate to contact him before/during/after a cycle with any questions, ideas or concerns I had. This is always an option available to you.

And yes, I hear from a lot of women that the nurses will only give you enough information to get by, and will often not volunteer any more. I reckon that they think it's easy to overload on information when you're just starting out, or can be intimidated by it, but personally I would rather not be left in the dark about it, and would prefer if they gave me a full and detailed explanation from the get-go. I found most of my answers on the net and armed myself with questions and bombarded my FS and the clinic with them. In time they stopped treating me like I was incapable of understanding and told me everything up front. But I don't think this is the usual default mode for most clinics though, unfortunately!

Thanks for the info Sushee! Much appreciated! Probably more than what my clinic does. Looks like I am going to have to ask more questions of my clinic.
Mon :)

Mon, I think you'll find most clinics are about the same. We've seen our FS at the two appts prior to starting IVF, and then on EPU day. Apart from that it's always the nurses and that is fine by us as they have been able to answer all of our questions, bar one, and in that case the FS rang us back very quickly despite being very busy.

The rotating FS' seems normal based upon what other people have said (there is only one FS at our clinic). They have a lot of commitments and of course things like annual leave etc so they can't be there for everyone all of the time.

And I think the nurses try and keep it reasonably simple unless someone requests detailed explanations. I think this is a good thing unless you have a strong interest/knowledge of medical related matters.

Mon, from my experience it seems to be fairly standard.

I only ever saw my FS at appointments. Everything else (blood tests, scans, etc) was handled by the nurses. If I had a tricky question, the nurses would ask my FS and then get back to me. When I was extremely sick with OHSS, my FS did call to check on me and see how I was going. When the scientists rang me to give me an update on my embryos that day, I told them I was feeling pretty bad, so they got the on call doctor for that day to call me. Just happened to be my FS.

My clinic also has different doctors do EPUs on different days. They actually try to plan to have a different doctor do EPU from what I've seen. I think it's so that you can have your own FS for transfer. Strange, but it works. I've encountered two of the four doctors that work at my clinic, and have been happy with both.

As for getting information from the nurses, mine were pretty good. There were some that I had to ask, others volunteered the information. I did get into an awkward situation during my stim cycle that I was doing things so weirdly that they couldn't predict what would be next - it became a frustrating process of taking one day at a time, but it all worked out ok in the end.

Overall, I've been pretty happy with the way I've been treated by the nurses, doctors and scientists at my clinic. The nurses have done a brilliant job of going between me and the FS, sometimes it can be frustrating, but you do know that when you are in there for an appointment you won't be interrupted by somebody else's questions popping up during your time with the doctor!

BW

BW

hi mon

i recently read a book on IVF written in the US, "dummies guide to ivf" i think it was, and it mentions that IVF patients over there also have a shock once they start their cycle and rarely see or talk to their FS. the authors seem to say this lack of contact is a common occurrence and how clinics are designed to operate.

i hardly see or speak to my FS except at EPU or ET. one time i had ET on a public holiday and another dr from the clinic did this, but i was forewarned by the nurses.

the thing i find strange is you can go from cycle to cycle w/out seeing your FS unless you make a point of it. they seem to be able to treat you based on your results. not optimum IMO as a couple of times i have had to pick my FS up on things she has forgotten about me and my treatment. like giving me the wrong drug!

that all said, my experience has been largely positive as the clinic nurses in SIVF canberra have been simply wonderful, going out of their way to help. they don't venture too much specific info, but like sushee said they are beginning to understand i want and expect more. i need to know levels, what they mean and how that may affect my treatment. they will also clarify things with my FS for me if i ask as they have direct contact with her and i don't.

ask questions, follow up on things and request a second opinion or clarification if you have ANY doubts. i regret not doing this at least once when my cycle was canceled and i feel i lost opportunities to conceive.

dusty

That's odd. I wondered why my clinic was even there apart from to draw my blood. I saw my FS for EVERYTHING. I also called his rooms directly with any questions, and for all test results!

i have only ever dealt with my FS for appointments - everything has been done by the nurse - but we were made aware of this from the outset because it is part of us using a regional clinic - i don't have any issue with it because i consider her to be our true specialist and i can contact her for anything i need - FS is really just the figurehead for us!

Hi Just thought i would throw in my 2 cents :)

We see our FS for everything, all scans are done in her room and then we have her for EPU and transfer. I much prefer it that way because we know exactly what is happening all the time and she is getting the info direct rather than 2nd or 3rd person. We only see nurses at the clinic to pick up drugs.

Shan

Mon
I have always seen both the FS & the nurse at every appointment right through from Day 1. I know they only tell me as much info as I need to know, unless I ask questions (which, thanks to this wonderful website, I am now starting to learn what to ask). My FS conducted EPU & the scientist from our clinic was present also. This FS came highly recommended & he does take very good care of all the patients. It is comforting to have the same team work with you right the way through - I don't think I would be much good at having different people all the time. My clinic only has 1 each of FS, Nurse, Scientist, Counsellor & Practice Manager, so I guess it's quite small compared to some (though always busy). Keep asking questions & remember you are paying so you need to be happy with everything!

Mon
this is a really interesting thread thanks! I knew clinics work differently but did not realise to such an extent. In Victoria we have ultrasonographers that do the scans so it is very rare that our FS would do the scans. The two main melbourne based clinics have a different model of care to each other. ONe has that you see the FS and they do your pickup and transfer (i think both) but the other you see mainly nurses and get whoever is rostered on for EPU and transfer. I go to that clinic and I quite like that model. I know that my nurse is in close consultation with my doctor and my doctor rings during the cycle to check I am happy with everything.
I think it is OK for the little clinics to have the doctors do everything for their patients but it would be physically impossible for the doctors in the bigger clinics to do everything for their patients as timing is so important and they just can't be in 3 places at once.
As for how much information I get from nurses. I have had 2 diferent nurses. the one I have now is happy to answer any of my questions but the first one was more reluctant. I think that will depend on the nurse. they will tell you the basics and then you probably need to ask the rest. I am not much into details if everythign is going OK, but want to know everything if it is not OK. LOL

Hi and thanks everyone for posting! means a lot. I think I will give my FS another chance, I do like him, but will just ask more questions second time around and see how I go.
Looks like each clinic is different. Perhaps I pack it in and move to QLD - ha ha! AT least the weather is constantly hot!

If anyone goes to or has been to IVF Australia, would love to get their point of view as well!

thanks for all your advise too .. its such a learning curve this IVF journey!

Wishing you all BFPs so we can take the PG journey together!

Mon :)

mon i was thinking the same thing, qld seems like a good choice for the personal touch :)

I noticed that too, there are 3 main clinics in Brisbane and they all seem to do it the same way FS takes care of everything. You may have to have 6am scans or Sundays etc but you still always see the FS. Although it probably costs more?

not sure shannon, SIVF is pretty pricey (now $8750). i was thinking anney's comments that it isn't practical for the larger clinics to have personalised care from FS may be spot on, but perhaps your brissy clinics are also large?

I have only begun with my clinic (in Victoria), but saw my FS to begin, and see her again for scans and I assume EPU/ET but not sure. I have also had to email her with a couple of queries and her response time etc has been exemplary. I think shes great! The nurses have been less impressive thus far forgetting to schedule me then assuming I knew when and how to collect my injections and so on, though its my first cycle with them. They are friendly etc though, so am assuming I have just had one off mistakes. Time will tell I guess!