Anyone experienced change from SIVF to IVF Aust?

[Cuddlepie]

Has anyone had any experience of changing clinic from SIVF to IVF Australia?

Although I am comfortable with my current clinic regarding admin, nurses and how the process works, due to my NK cell issue, I have to choose the right FS to treat this condition and he is at IVF Aust. I have lot of confidence in Dr S as he is much loved on BB but just wondering if the clinic is up to the standard comparing to SIVF (who claim they are the best) such as monitoring process (b/t and u/s), services (nurses, admins) and flexibility on EPU and Transfers (do they do weekend EPU and TF?) etc...

Anyone who have similar experience would love to hear your feedback...

[turner]

Hi,

I was at IVF A then it became Next Gen. We moved to SIVF after 4 fresh failures. I've had a much better experience at SIVF. My doctor at NextGen was horrific. She would be late for appointments by 45 minutes to an hour then rush us through. We'd be in her office for 3 to 5 minutes then both be charged. My husband's bill was $80 and he didn't even speak (there was no time). They do egg pick up on specific days - at least when I was there - rather than when it is best for you. I got a severe case of OHSS - ie was in acute care in hospital for 6 days - after an egg pick up. After the egg collection, I was sent home with no one actually saying to me I could be at risk. The nurse handed me a prescription and just said the doctor needs you to get that. And that was it. Then that night, I could barely breathe and DH rushed me to hospital.

My husband is still quite angry about the whole experience. We found at SIVF, the service was really smooth. They took our test results and didn't re test for things that we already had done. But investigated other things. We've had a much better experience. And our new FS has been really reassuring.

[butterfly_warrior]

Just want to comment that being a patient of another doctor at Next Gen who also suffered from nasty OHSS, I was treated MUCH better than that! My doctor was brilliant. Sadly, no longer at next gen, though. I honestly believe, Turner, that your experience is a reflection on your doctor and NOT the clinic. I can't comment to IVF Aust, however, but I am under the impression that they can do blood tests, transfers and egg collections when needed - not just on specific days. If I recall with any accuracy at all, this was one of the reasons Hollybolly changed to Dr S and IVF Aust.

BW

[turner]

Oh Butterfly warrior. The last thing I wanted to do was offend. I felt very hesitant writing a negative review but that was MY experience. On a positive note, the nurses I referred to were at the day surgery, not at Next Gen. I found ALL of the nurses absolutely lovely at Next Gen. And as we know, we mainly deal with our nurses. However the buck does stop with the FS and yes, that wasn't a crash hot experience at all.

To clarify again, that was MY OWN personal experience. I do believe with service, one person can have a great experience and the next not a fantastic one.

[Cuddlepie]

Thanks Turner for poping in, I am sorry you had such a shocking experience and glad you are now in good hands...I hope the one you went wasn't in the city.

Sorry I probably should have made it clear, I will be at IVF Australia city clinic and will have EPU and TF at Maroubra...

BW, good idea, I will check with Holly about some details when she needs some distraction during TWW, following her journal at the moment...

[*Paula*]

Just thought i would pop in and share my experience with IVF Aust. I was at the Kogarah clinic for BT and at Maroubra for TF and EPU, but im sure the process would be similar at either.

It is true that they only do EPU on specific days unlike SIVF. BT's are done by appoinment (not always convenient times) not on a first in first served basis and they would always be running late. Another thing that i didnt like was the fact that i had to go to a different clinic to do the procedures. This meant that my file would be constantly transfered from clinic to clinic and whenever i was at Maroubra no one could answer my questions or know what was going on and if i was to call Kogarah that day, they didnt have my file so they couldnt help me much either (there arent nurses assigned to each FS like at SIVF). Plus EPU and ET was never done by my FS, just whoever was there on the day. I basically had a different person everytime.

These are just a few differences that i can think of that i have noticed since moving to SIVF. Now being at SIVF i feel like i am my FS patient not just another number at a big clinic.

[Hollybolly]

Hunny, I'm sorry I haven't seen this thread until now

BW is right - my main reason for changing clinics was for the FS also but also because my clinic only did EPU & transfer on certain days... and a big issues for me with my previous cycles was that I always had too many immature eggs due to the EPU being manipulated for only the one day a week......

Dr S works from Kogarah, Bondi & the city... when I spoke to him at length before starting the cycle, I initially saw him in his rooms in the city clinic - mainly because the number I had for him initially was for there.

He explained to me that he worked primarily from the Bondi clinic - is only at the city one day a week (Thursdays) & Kogarah the same...
He was hesitant about asking me to see him at Bondi (he said he didn't want to inconvenience me as I was travelling to see him) but said that he was most flexible from that clinic.
He gave me the option though

I chose to see him from Bondi & my experience has been fantastic

I had 2 nurses allocated to me for all scans, BT, etc... I had the one nurse mainly, but was introduced to a 2nd in case the main one was sick, etc.

As far as admin goes, there are 2 ladies in the Bondi clinic (one in particular) that is there the majority of the time... and they were lovely.
After only a week, they both knew me by name/face & knew enough about me & my cycle without having to look at my file... I felt very comfortable & at ease.

The nurses were the same - I asked the one who did my scan about a few shops in Bondi as I was looking for a present for my mum... and 2 weeks later when I saw her again she asked me if I managed to get to the shop she recommended & did I find the gift I was looking for?
Very personal & I have felt like I've been a person rather than 'a number' the whole time.

As you know, a lot of the cycle we deal with the nurses rather than the FS (once started)... but throughout the cycle, Dr S has been in contact with me via email, and has had messages passed on through the nurses, so I've felt like I've had much more 'attention' from him than any other FS previously

I had all of my monitoring/scans at the Bondi clinic (bar one blood test which was on a Saturday that I went to Maroubra) - they have specific times allocated for the nurses to do the scans & bloods - times in the mornings & the afternoons/evenings.... I've been driving from the Central Coast for each blood/scan & always found a convenient time to see them.
I also took my book with me each time in case they were late/behind & throughout the cycle I didn't open my book once in the clinic.Everytime I got there, I went straight in.... actually, each time I had a scan they had to wait for me to use the bathroom first

The EPU & transfer is done at Maroubra - really wasn't an issue for us at all- they do EPU/transfer 7 days a week - my EPU was supposed to be on the Saturday but was moved to the Monday as my follies weren't quite ready at the time.
They also have an IVF Australia Acupuncture Support Clinic right next door to the Day surgery where you have EPU... fantastic as they are so flexible & made the appointment available for me so I could walk straight out of recovery & straight into an acupuncture treatment.
They're doing the same for both before & after transfer.

I'm not sure about other FS's but I know that Dr S is an active OB as well, so there is always the risk that he may be called to deliver a baby... not an issue for me either - my main concern was to have him in charge of my treatment/drugs/protocol.... I'm relieved to know that if I do fall pregnant from this cycle that he will be the one guiding me through my pregnancy

If there's anything else hunny, please don't hesitate to PM me... I think you'll find all of us that have been through treatment with Dr S will all sing the same tune - he is amazing & his bedside manner as an FS is brilliant.
I've had a few nervous moments with much anxiety over the last 6 months with all of my issues & this cycle... he has kept me grounded... and most definately has treated me with upmost importance & priority.

I can't wait for you to get started & hear how your cycle pans out

[Cuddlepie]

Thanks ladies for your input! Seems different FS and clinics can make quite a bit difference hey?

Paula, glad to hear that your experience at SIVF is better, good luck with your next cycle!

Holly, hope soon you will be able to use Dr S OB service after this cycle!

[Sara69]

Hi CPie, just dropping in to wish you good luck with the move form SIVF to IVFAustralia. Really hope this works for you.

Sara

[grevinde]

We've only ever been with IVF A and our experience has been mostly positive.

Prior to actually starting a cycle, I found the process of constantly moved appointments and appointments that were constantly running late very frustrating.

Since our cycle started, it's been quite positive. The nurses are lovely and it's very convenient having all blood tests, ultrasounds and procedures done at the same place.

Best wishes with your move to IVF A.