Which clinic is best for UK girls? Recent experiences?

[3lovelyboys]

Hello everyone,

I'm new to the site and wondered if there's anyone out there that is in a similar position to me. We are blessed to have 3 gorgeous sons but would love a girl to complete our family. Boys are aged 8,6 and 1. We are considering the HT approach and want to know which clinic is considered best at the moment, particularly as I'm 40 so feel I'm running out of time. It doesn't help that my sister in law has recently given birth to a daughter after also having two boys so feeling it all so acutely at the moment:sad:

I've seen some posts where people have debated the merits of genesis and HRC? I also have info on fertility institute in NYC so wondered of any experiences of that?

Any responses would be amazing. I don't do facebook or forums at all so all this is v new!!

Xxx

[nuthinbutpink]

At 40, IVF is very difficult. I wouldn't bother at genesis. There are several excellent NY clinics and HRC is really good too. New York is more expensive.

[lisvna]

many people from the UK travel nowadays to clinic R in C zech because it's affordable and it has better succes rates then Genesis at the moment.

We have a specials thread for people who cycle at clinic R.

[3lovelyboys]

Can you possibly tell me the names of the NY clinics you know of? I know about dr Steinberg at the Fertility Institute. It would be useful to know though I'm not sure we'll proceed now as I'm quite put off by your negative response that it's v difficult at 40. I don't think I'd fully appreciated that was the case as I hear of lots of later babies these days but perhaps they aren't pgd/ivf.

[Jany1025]

Can you possibly tell me the names of the NY clinics you know of? I know about dr Steinberg at the Fertility Institute. It would be useful to know though I'm not sure we'll proceed now as I'm quite put off by your negative response that it's v difficult at 40. I don't think I'd fully appreciated that was the case as I hear of lots of later babies these days but perhaps they aren't pgd/ivf.

I live in NY and do not know of anyone who has cycled there and definitely not for PGD/Gender selection. I think the top choices right know is Clinic R in Czech, HRC in California and I cycled at SIRM NY. I am 42 with a 16 month old.

NBP was just being realistic. IVF at 40 is extremely tough throw in gender selection and it becomes even harder. Though I am living proof that it is NOT impossible.

Good Luck!

[deaks66]

Clinic R got me a sticky bfp when Hrc couldn't and it's waaay cheaper so you aren't putting all your eggs in one basket so to speak!

[3lovelyboys]

thanks for those responses it's nice to hear of a positive story!!! I had seen your story Jany and was so moved and inspired by you and your positivity! I don't think I'd fully appreciated how difficult it would be at my age though I had seen quite a few negative posts about being 40+, on the fertility scrap heap...:wink: it seems. I guess it's best not to sugar coat the message and NPB didn't do that for which I should be grateful!

We will have to have a good think about it with the changes being so low.

Thanks for the info on clinics. Is SIRM outside of NY? But still east coast?

[3lovelyboys]

Thanks deaks too I will look at clinic r. Great to hear you had a positive expense there! Nervous of going to Eastern Europe with language barrier. I assume it wasn't a problem. How many goes did you have? Also why do you call it a "sticky" BFP ...

[nuthinbutpink]

I'm just trying to tell you the truth. IVF with gender selection is difficult because you lose half your embryos or more due to the wrong gender. Statistically, for 40, the percentage of abnormal embryos is high. That coupled with losing half to gender makes it difficult. Here is a site that goes into a lot of detail- Fertility & IVF After Age 40, Older Women & Infertility (http://www.advancedfertility.com/fertility-after-age-40-ivf.htm)

First, you need a consult with a doctor. SIRM is a great clinic in New York. RMANJ has excellent success rates too. Dr Braverman on here is in New York and offers a free consult. You can get pretesting orders and see what your ovarian reserve looks like and decide if it makes sense to cycle.

I'm not trying to be negative. I just want you to be informed. Clinic R will be your least expensive option and it may take a few attempts at 40 so take that into consideration too.

[3lovelyboys]

Thanks I really appreciate your responses. I'm just so heartbroken with it all as the dream seems to slipping away that it's hard to hear the truth that it may not be for me. X

[nuthinbutpink]

It's not impossible after 40. Just harder. You can always get pretestibg done and go from there. You can always start a cycle, be monitored from home before you travel and if you do not respond to meds, cancel the cycle and save the vast majority of money.

[ever hopeful]

It's certainly not impossible at 40...I did my first cycle at 44 at Genesis and got a BFP (despite v low odds, around 10%) but sadly had a m/c at 9 weeks. I then did a tandem cycle at 45 (my eggs fully tested and donor eggs FISH tested) and put 1 of each back and my DD is now 14 months old. I don't know if she is from my XX or the donor XX, but we love her to bits and it's the best thing that we did (even DH who didn't want 4 children and certainly didn't want HT absolutely adores her). If your pre-testing is ok, and money isn't too much of an issue I would certainly try HRC first (purely because you can be honest with them and discuss this openly, which personally I think is v important on a first cycle). If it's not successful you could then try Clinic R, which has good results at the moment, but those cycling there do need to do some of the leg works themselves. Really good luck xxx

[3lovelyboys]

Thank you NBP that's really sensible advice and thanks again for the clinic info

[3lovelyboys]

Thanks ever hopeful. I felt so low today after endless research which can end up being a bit confusing! and hearing the chances are low for me. To hear your story has given me some hope :happy:not to give up.

Thanks also for the clinic tips. The US seems to be the general consensus for me so I will do more research there. Di you do pre testing in the UK by any chance? If so where do you recommend?

Enjoy your beautiful daughter, how wonderful!

[chattymonkey]

I cycled with Dr P (see my sigi) at 39, and it took me 2 goea to get my DD. At our age you should expect a lot of abnormal embryos, and then as NBP says, you loose 50% to gender, but it only takes 1 so it's not impossible at all. Just before me, someone called Katiecool (she's not on the site anymore) cycled and was a OHW at HRC and she was 40. Def get ur pretesting done and have the free consult with Dr P, then decide from there. X

[Bettybleu]

Hi 3lovelyboys, I have five lovely boys! I am, like you, towards the older end of the scale at 39! I'm quite upset about the statistics, I still feel 'fertile' I always know when I Ovulate and have been so lucky to never have to try to get pregnancy for longer than the one month, even on last pregnancy which was only 2 years ago. Anyway I digress..... I just wanted to say hi, I am desperate to try PGD for our last baby. Id love to try Dr Potter but travelling that far with my boys in tow plus the expense of all that would entail makes it highly unlikely for us. I'm clinging to any positive stories from Genesis as this would work really well logistically for us as a family. I've emailed him and had a detailed response so I'm now thinking through my next move.... I know it has to be this year ideally. I'm full of indecision right now though :-(
xx

[lisvna]

Bettybleu which testing is Savvas offering nowadays? Is it acgh day 5? So full chromosome testing or still fish 5 probe day 3?

I would go to a clinic who will offer acgh day 5 (not day 3 because from what I understand it's not accurate for gender) because it gives higher succesrates and less attempts.

[Bettybleu]

Bettybleu which testing is Savvas offering nowadays? Is it acgh day 5? So full chromosome testing or still fish 5 probe day 3?

I would go to a clinic who will offer acgh day 5 (not day 3 because from what I understand it's not accurate for gender) because it gives higher succesrates and less attempts.

Hi Lisvna thanks for the reply.

I haven't spoken to Savvas yet, only first email so that is on my list of questions!
Could you explain what acgh and fish 5 day probe are and the differences? This is all new to me and I feel like my head is full of new information from all the googling I've done these past few days. I desperately want this to work but I have a few doubts about doing it in Europe..... but the US is not possible for me.

Thanks x