Hello
I've just read this thread and feel that I need to speak up about the Genesis clinic in Athens. I have been there and had four unsuccessful donor egg cycles. The only reason I used Genesis is because their medical director, Dr Pantos, has a professional relationship with a fertility clinic in Sydney. At the time it just seemed easier given they have a direct link with the Sydney clinic.
I'm glad some women on FF have had success with Genesis but I haven't. My experience has been pretty negative. Problems with Genesis are many but include:
1. Rude and surly behaviour on the part of Dr Pantos. Just as one example, when I told Dr Pantos about my 12 week miscarriage, he said, 'As far as I am concerned, the cycle was a success because it resulted in a pregnancy'. I can't believe there are still doctors out there who make those kinds of insensitive comments. I don't think this is just a 'Greek' thing as I've since spoken to other IVF medical professionals in Greece who have been far more supportive.
2. No FETs. They only do fresh cycles and if a cycle is unsuccessful, they use a new donor.
3. No consideration of immune issues. Aside from the use of baby aspirin and clexane, the clinic does no immune work whatsoever. The more I read about immunology, the more I think this is crucial, especially for women with several failed IVF cycles or recurrent miscarriages.
4. No attempt to change a cycle protocol if it doesn't work. Their response was simply 'bad luck and try again.' The protocols for all of my four cycles were essentially the same.
I now think Genesis is a money making machine that works for some women but not others. For all the success stories they extole, there is another side and there are definitely women for whom this clinic has not worked. I would urge any woman who has a history of repeated failed IVF cycles and/or miscarriages to find a clinic that looks at immune issues. I would not recommend Genesis to anyone.
