Hi, I just wanted to let viewers know about our experience with our first International IVF/ICSI cycle, after two failed attempts in London (Guys).
We chose Greece, as we were considering a donor program and our first meeting was via Skype, to ask any initial questions and put to rest our concerns with going abroad. The team at New Life have all been trained in London, US and Greece and all speak perfect English. Chrysa and Aphrodite are the Embryologists and along with Demetrios, the three gave me all the time we needed to ask our questions. From this initial meeting, they requested all of our notes, which Guy's provided (at a cost) and we scanned them and emailed them over. Within a few days, they had read ALL of our notes and could quote page numbers, issues and outcomes more than any nurse or doctor had in the UK and they advised that we try a further cycle of IVF, which would also earn them less money, so we knew they had our best interests at heart. They explained that they use a British consultant who organises all of the drugs, tests, scans prior to UK departure and she was always on hand to discuss anything before being handed over to the Greece team on arrival. Up until flying to Greece, I felt incredibly assured and comfortable with everything and we booked a 2 week stay in thessaloniki, Greece. On flying out, the next day, we met the team for the first time and I have never in all UK experience, felt so supported by a medical team. We were welcomed with open arms, scanned every other day during drug phase and had a blood test every time, which was instantly tested, providing results within 15 minutes. From that, they could up or down the dosage. No waiting for results and times that we were early, they saw us straight away. We saw many couples from all around the world and it was nice to see so many happy couples with their treatment.
From day one to ET, Demetrios performed every scan and did every treatment, as you are 'his' patient. Compared to our other experiences where you rarely see the same nurse or doctor twice, it was great to have someone to see it through with you. Chrysa and Aphrodite and the midwife and other nurses are there all of the time and they get to know you personally.
At ET stage, I suffered stage-fright and within a few hours they had arranged sedation to ease me and to ensure best possible results for implantation and my husband was at my side throughout and said that they were incredible with me.
The equipment is advanced technology, speedy, image-clear and as with most Greeks, they are straight talking and you get answers. We even brought home all of our notes, images of all of our scans and embryo's and progesterone in alternate forms. We arrived back in London on Sunday and are currently day 10 after ET, so we are still awaiting outcome, but that said, they have called or text most days, answered any queries within an hour and should the outcome be negative, we feel confident that we have done everything possible with possibly one of the best clinics out there.
If you are thinking of going abroad, whether for IVF/ICSI/Donor etc. Please consider your choices wisely. We researched fully, met with many and chose better than we could have hoped. There are many out there that claim they offer the best service for fertility, but this has been proven in this case. You also get a little holiday out of it. Ruth, the UK advisor can help with all of your travel, accommodation requests etc and because you're abroad, you're relaxed and can enjoy the treatment rather than expose yourself to worry. Any questions, i'd be happy to answer them and wish you the same experience that we had with them.
