IUI at a private clinic, confused.

[Trying4ever]

I rang a private clinic enquiring about IUI...how I could go about being seen by a consultant. The nurse or whoever answered the query said the consultation would be £200 and said to me that IUI is a waste of time and you may aswell just have sex normally with clomid.

If clomid doesnt work she says I should have IVF with ICSI. Does she just want me to go for the most expensive treatment or what? Is it true which has the best success rate?

I dont know whether to just wait for IUI on NHS in September?!

 

[Arcanegirl]

I dont think IUI is a waste of time, i was refused clomid as i was ovulating fine by myself and offered IUI instead. It took two goes but it worked.
With clomid youre still doing alot of guesswork with when you ovulate etc, least with IUI its a bit more controlled and has a good chance.

 

[Farie]

It sounds a little like they are trying to guide you to the more expensive option ....
Also £200 seems a lot for the 1st consult?

Get a 2nd opinion on that I'd say.

 

[auntcarrie]

I was told that yes, chances are far greater with IVF than with IUI -- about twice as likely if I remember the information correctly (40-50% versus 20%). BUT -- we will be doing at least 6 months of IUI first because a) way cheaper, and b) our insurance covers the IUI, it is not clear if they cover the IVF yet, and finally c) IUI does in fact increase your chances on its own, too. It puts the swimmers where they need to be - no need to "fight" their way up the river, so to speak.

Keep in mind that even just taking Clomid increases chances as it usually stimulates more eggs being produced. If there are 2 eggs waiting, more chance.

Having said ALL that, if the cost of IVF were not a factor, I might try it sooner rather than wait the 6+ months.

 

[Trying4ever]

Its just an awful guessing game....you would think that the fert nurse would give you impartial advice but they really dont. I think I will def get a second opinion...not sure where from....

 

[tansey]

I was surprised you got that information over the phone from a nurse - i would have thought that you would discuss where you are up to and the options at the consultation. I would defo ring around before deciding which one to goto.
I was going to go for one that had their options and prices on the internet but i asked on here and found other feedback and actually went for one that has it's own forum where the clinic staff are the administrators. (the forum is nowhere as good or developed as here i would just like to add, just somewhere good for info and to ask questions ) Also I emailed the clinic and they replied very fast and have emailed the same member of staff a few times to ask questions. So from the little i know about them i feel quite comfortable before I even go.

 

[Trying4ever]

I was surprised you got that information over the phone from a nurse - i would have thought that you would discuss where you are up to and the options at the consultation. I would defo ring around before deciding which one to goto.
I was going to go for one that had their options and prices on the internet but i asked on here and found other feedback and actually went for one that has it's own forum where the clinic staff are the administrators. (the forum is nowhere as good or developed as here i would just like to add, just somewhere good for info and to ask questions ) Also I emailed the clinic and they replied very fast and have emailed the same member of staff a few times to ask questions. So from the little i know about them i feel quite comfortable before I even go.

Oh thats good. Wherabouts is that? I just dont knwo where to go. I have to think of the feasability with work too cos apparently you have to go for scans quite often. In essex, where I live, there is a private Nuffield hospital and The london bridge clinic are the only two that i know of. I just dont want to pay to go to the consultation appointment to find out i dont like the place...

I'm not sure how i can get private treatment at my NHS hospiatl....is that allowed? And do they give you priority? It will be the same consultant so I dont want him to just give me the same timescale as if i was seeing him on the NHS.

 

[Aria]

That sounds like some shady advice. If you were talking about artificial insemination, then you may as well have sex. IUI is inserting washed sperm directly into the uterus, and has been what's helped some people succeed. And what the hell is she going on about, jumping directly to IVF with ICSI, bypassing even straight IVF? If I were you, I'd call somewhere else. She shouldn't be doling out this kind of "advice" over the phone and without being a doctor who's examined you and gone over your medical history. I'm a strong believer that the first people we talk to and see (usually receptionists) are a good indicator of how good the doctor will be.

 

[tansey]

The one i'm waiting for an appointment for in care fertility Manchester - they have other locations but i don't know if they are near you?

 

[Trying4ever]

You know your right...how could she give me this advice just like that over the phone without me even having a consultation first? They just know how desperate we are and play with our feelings by making us feel that this is the only way. This was at the hollyhouse clinic or something in Essex. I had thought it was good as a lot of people use it...or maybe thats cos its the nearest one around. Its supposed to be affiliated with the London Bridge private fertility clonic in London. There is the Nuffield here so I may just try that...except I know the fertility nurse and she might recognise me...or she might not but what the hell ...I just met her a couple of times at another hospital...but that was for work.

That sounds like some shady advice. If you were talking about artificial insemination, then you may as well have sex. IUI is inserting washed sperm directly into the uterus, and has been what's helped some people succeed. And what the hell is she going on about, jumping directly to IVF with ICSI, bypassing even straight IVF? If I were you, I'd call somewhere else. She shouldn't be doling out this kind of "advice" over the phone and without being a doctor who's examined you and gone over your medical history. I'm a strong believer that the first people we talk to and see (usually receptionists) are a good indicator of how good the doctor will be.

 

[Aria]

You know your right...how could she give me this advice just like that over the phone without me even having a consultation first? They just know how desperate we are and play with our feelings by making us feel that this is the only way. This was at the hollyhouse clinic or something in Essex. I had thought it was good as a lot of people use it...or maybe thats cos its the nearest one around. Its supposed to be affiliated with the London Bridge private fertility clonic in London. There is the Nuffield here so I may just try that...except I know the fertility nurse and she might recognise me...or she might not but what the hell ...I just met her a couple of times at another hospital...but that was for work.

Don't go for a clinic because it's the closest one around. Go for the best one you can. Going through this is hard enough without having bad service. We made the same mistake, went to the closest place, and the financial coordinator made me cry. We didn't go back there. A place half an hour away (Stanford University's program, you might have heard of it there) has been wonderful.

You need to feel comfortable, and a place where the person answering the phone is dolling out advice without seeing you and recommending the most expensive, invasive procedure is only after money, and if you don't get pregnant, more money for them if you try again.