IVF at Concept Fertility Center (Perth)

[pascalia]

Hi everyone, I am a newbie and this is my first post. DH and I have been TTC#2 for 2 years with no luck. I have recently gone through a series of fertility tests suggested by my FS. All results are good, ie I'm ovulating fine, post coital test is very normal, SA is ok, and the lap and hysteroscopy result is normal. Therefore I we fall under "unexplained infertility" :( It is very frustrating and hard for me to accept the fact. DH and I have decided to go ahead with IVF through Concept Fertility center and will prob be starting in the next couple of weeks.

I am quite scared :crying: and fell uneasy but try to be strong and hope for the best. I am wondering if anyone has experienced the IVF procedure through the Concept Fertility Center in Perth or any IVF clinic in Perth. Would really appreciate any comments or feedback or any inof that you can share with me.

pascalia (30)
DH (33)
DD (5)

[cindyc]

Hi Pascalia, I'm currently going through Pivet Medical Centre in Leederville. So far DH and I have had a very good experience with them. All of the staff are very nice and answer any questions we have. Unfortunately my first IVF cycle ended in m/c at 11 weeks and I had to have a d&c on 24/3/06. I have just started AF again today, and go in to pick up my Gonal-F injections tomorrow to start 2nd cycle.

I have read the Concept website because they have much more stuff online than Pivet and they seem good. My doctor gave me a choice of Concept or Pivet originally & I only chose Pivet because my sister had success with them. So i'd heard of them.

From reading all of the other girls experiences in the other threads every clinic seems to do some things slightly different so don't worry if you read of things that they are doing and you aren't.

The whole thought of IVF to me was stressful but the treatment and hormones make it especially bad. (The things we women do, the men get off relatively lightly although mine did have to suffer severe mood swings. haha)

DH and I knew this was going to be a stressful year so we have gone to see some comedians when they came over to Perth. (Billy Connolly was one and he was great) We make the effort to go out for dinner once a week and also make sure we talk about our feelings and stress we are going through.

Hope I've helped, if I can answer any of your questions I'd be glad to. Cindy.

[pascalia]

Hi Cindy, thanks for sharing your experience with me. I'm so sorry to hear about your loss...Hope it'll be a success for you soon. Would you mind me asking what d&c is? Apologies for my ignorance, but I'm still new to all these terms. I wish there's a glossary somewhere on this forum where the newbie can refer to ;)

I'm planning to start the IVF soon...prob as soon as my next cycle (if Concept can fit me in and if I'm not pregnant by then). I don't know exactly what will be involved yet and how much of time-off work I will have to take. I believe the BTs can be done anywhere (such as SJOG Murdoch as it's more convenient for me). Then there will be ultrasound/egg-collection/embryo transfer that have to be performed at the clinic? I am sure the Concept staff will explain all the process to me. I have briefly read the IVF fact sheet from Concept which explains the procedure summary. I think you right, IVF is quite of a stressfull and demanding process physically and mentally. I'm hoping it won't take too long for me to see a successful outcome.

Just wondering, did you have to do the immune tests in the past before or as part of your treatment?

Hm...seeing the comedians sounds like a very good idea :rolleyes:

Well hope things are going well with you. Wish you the best of luck!

pascalia

[cindyc]

Hi, :)

I'm not sure if we had immune tests, but we had lots of blood taken on our first visit, all for different things.
When I started taking the hormones I had blood tests(BT) and ultrasounds every couple of days. Even DH had an ultrasound done on him, it was very funny he was a bit embarrased.
D&C is a dilation & curette where they suction out any m/c remains( sorry if too much info.)
If you go into the first forum at the top Useful Site Info and then into the third thread Acronyms & Abbreviations it might help a bit with a glossary. I still refer to it sometimes.
I went into Pivet today to collect the Gonal-F injections and have a BT. They rang back this afternoon and said my Projesterone is still a bit high after the m/c so I have to put off starting to jab myself. Got another BT on Saturday so I hope to get some good news then, otherwise we might have to wait until next month.
I hope everything goes well for you in the next couple of weeks, let me know how you go. Talk to you soon, Cindy

[pascalia]

Hi Cindy, thanks for the great tips about acronyms info. It's very useful for a newbie like me :)

Just thought I'd share with you where I'm at... I have booked for an initial appointment to see the coordinator of Concept on the 14th May. I believe in the meeting, she'll explain to me all about the IVF procedure, medications, etc. My FS said he has sent thought some orders for the medications that I will use. I was told that the first EPU will be done around early of June. My concern is that we will be going to NZ for a family holiday in mid July for 2 weeks. We've planned this holiday half a year ago. I'm afraid if the holiday would put a risk on the success of IVF. If say I could get PG on the first attempt, then I am going away, I wonder how much of a risk I would have... I may bring this up with Concept during our first meeting.

Anyway, how did you go with the weekend? You mentioned that you were going to have another BT.

Regards
pascalia

[leefour]

hi everyone i am a newbie at this i am starting all the ivf treatments next month does anyone have any tips and advice for me
thanks

[daddysgirl]

Hi Pascalia,:wave:
I have been going through Concept for 4 yrs. We have a beautiful daughter, 9 months and currently trying for our 2nd. Tow weeks until results.
We found concept to be great. All the staff were really wonderful to us and so understanding.
Wishing you all the very best for your experience, and don't forget, have faith!!

[pascalia]

Hi there daddysgirl :wave:
Thanks for your feedback.
I had my first consultation appointment with the coordinator at Concept mid last month. Her suggestion is to postpone the start of IVF process till we come back from our holiday which is late July. It means we'll start IVF early August. Can't wait to start IVF and get PG! But in the meantime, I keep my thought busy with other things, work, and the preparation of our holiday.

Can I ask who is your gyn/specialist at Concept? Thanks

Hope your journey for the no. 2 is short. Goodluck for your two weeks wait!

[daddysgirl]

Hi,:wave:
Hope you have a great holiday. Who knows, you might fall pg's over there.
Our specialist is from St John of God, Lucy Williams. She is fantastic!! She has been away for a conference this month, so Dr Mazzacelle transfered our embryo. He also transferred our 1st one, which resulted in our DD.

Try not to worry about what is to come. All the staff explain everything really well and go through things with you. They are always a phone call away if you need them.

Happy hols!!
Hope its not too cold for you :gloomy: