IVF/ICSI - cycle buddies

Gracie,

dont go to private hospital..KKH abt 7k.. is cheaper then private much much more.don't give up ok? now still young go for it
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Hi Jolene/Hui,

How's the KKH waiting time cpd to private hospital if one goes to SF Loh?

Just checking how's SF Loh's skills?

U r right....Private hospital IVF cost can go up to as much as S$25K......but success rates - nver published...and yet have to fork out so much money....

Gracie,

Rest well.....know that it is rather depressing after going thru so much.......

I also keep on telling myself to have more faith in God and myself.....dreaming now that I can play with my kids in the very near future........just like Jolene.....

Let's jia U together....
 
Hi buddies

Went for baseline scan this morning. I will be starting puregon this Thursday.

I think KK waiting time is longer compared to private clinics. Usually for KK appointments, I have to take half day leave. But for private ones, I can be seen at the appointment time quite promptly. However, I still choose KK over private ones as it is cheaper.
 
Gracie

Sorry to know abt wat u have been through. U've been great.

May God helps us too in showing us the right way one day.

For the time being, just take a good rest first.

Best Regards
Koala
 
Hi sisters, it all depends on which private fertility docs you go to, waiting time for me at KKH is a breeze compare to my former fertility doc which I have to wait for few hours
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Gracie,

Don't give up your dream. On the financial part, you just need to work that out.

Take a good rest now and prepare yourself for future.

By the way, did you do a review with your Doctor?
 
Hi Bodhi,
Do you mean hcg blood test, Dr Fong is using Innovative Diagnostics.

Which stage are you now?

Hi MK,
I am lucky, my first visit is at clinic D and the waiting time is only about half an hour, probably it's because my appointment is in the morning. Once you confirm for IVF, you will see him at KKIVF and heard that the waiting time is also ok. Will be going for 2nd appointment this week. Maybe you can try to book in the morning. So you are now considering KK??
 
Hi Jo,

Not the HCG Blood test. What i mean was which lab handle your embyro? The lab that handle the eggs and sperms.

Me at no stage. I was asked to cancel my treatment due to a cyst was found outside my ovary after 18 days of Lucrin. I went to remove it. At the meantime, try to conceive it naturally or/and wait for 2 cycles after to start the treatment again.

I see you starting your treatment soon. Please take care and stay very positive har.
 
Hi Gracie,

I failed my 1st IVF attempt in May 06 so I know how sad you feel. I was completely devastated when I learnt that I was not pregnant. I too felt that I cldn't try again - becos I was so emotionally drained. I questioned God a lot back then, wondering why He chose to withold His blessing of a child. I started to get some closure when I went back to see Dr SF Loh for a review. I found out then that my embryo did implant for a little while but didn't cling on...perhaps it was a weak embryo and if it didn't 'drop' off then, it might have happened later. That review helped me to see that there is hope & Dr Loh was also very reassuring. I've certainly moved on since then and I realise that God has a reason and timing for everything and for some reason, that first IVF attempt just wasn't at the right time for me. I'll be attempting my 2nd try this month and I'm going into this with the clear mind that I only want what God wants for me......like you said in one of your previous postings - let His will be done. Sorry for this cheong hei post but I just wanted to encourage you, Gracie. Allow yourself some time to grieve, to pray and to listen to what God has to say. Take care!
 
Buddies,
I'M STARTING MY 1ST JAB ON 3RD OCT!!!

Was so happy that nurse Nora called me this afternoon to tell me that they can squeeze me in next month. Baby dream, here I come.
 
Catherine

Good, Yes, Your baby dream is very very nearby already, Jia Yu..

Buddies,
Today is my DPO 12 and BBT is dropping this morning, even though I still feel bloated, nausea and sore breast. But I guess all these are the effect of the HCG jab I took last Thursday.

I still hope I can strike, but also telling myself to be strong so that I can face the outcome.
 
Catherine,
Yeh, very glad that you could start this month. We will cycle together. Mine should be on 18th Oct.

Bodhi,
at mount E. You are also under mount E now right.

I am really worried that I will have cyst, just feel tat will have tons of problems each time I wanted to start something. so keeping my fingers cross.
 
Jolene,

I am just thinking aloud what r my next steps?

Well, not too sure though if I should consider KK.......

Was it rather tedious process for IVF to be done at KK?

In the meantime, taking a break from doctors after the recent failure of IUI....

Trying to console myself that baby cannot be rushed....the more anxious one gets, the more the baby wont come......

Me here trying to take one step at a time...

Cheers!
 
Jo,

Please don't allow "worries" to "follow" you. Just take thing one at a time and enjoy the process and experience. I know it will be emotionally drain but that's life. By the way, do you have any medical/hospitalisation insurance to cover you 100%? I'm not referring to the ivf insurance. Is the insurance that cover you in case you need to do an urgent operation such as Cyst or Polyps. If a cyst found, usually a Gynae will perform a Lapo and that will easily cost close to 7K. Just be sure you are cover....just in case.

On another note, after doing much reading, personally i feel the success on a ivf treatment are bet on a few things - A Skillful Gynae that can do the transfer well, A Good Lab that can handle the Embyro well (how good the embryologist can do to make change to the quality of the embyro), A Good Embyro (the quality of the egg and the sperm) and whether women's body ready to "secure" the embyro and lastly, Faith.

So Jo, enjoy the journey and stay happy. I should be hearing good news from you in a month time.

Anyone knows - Why in australia, they only transfer 2 embyro? It seems like the success rate is higher with 2 embyro transfer. I am wondering will 3 embyro to crowded for our uterus and their survival rate is lower. Just puzzle on this, need to go talk with my Embryologist and see what's the theory behind.
 
dear gals

Suppose to go sign the ivf papers tomorrow but hubby not in town due to work.

i will be putting ttc on hold for the moment.

good luck on all who started this ivf journey.
 
Jo,

O...You did it in Mt E Lab. So your former embryologist might be Ng Lai Cheng.

No. I am with CARE. My embryologist is Angela. I choose to go CARE due to lower traffic. However, there is Pro and Con. The Pro is with lower traffic there is more TLC for the embyro. The Con is lesser embyro for them to handle, less hand on, as compare to KKIVF where they handle alot of embyro.
 
Bodhi,

Could you share with us your experience with CARE-Angela....???

Your gynae is Dr Paul Tseng right?

Is this your first attempt under CARE?

How much do they charge?

Sorry......just checking around the rates...

If you dun mind to share...
 
Hi MK,

My Gynae is not Dr Paul Tseng. My Gynae is Dr CF Koh. He is my long time Gynae. He was my Mum's Gynae too. His specialist is not Fertility, he is specialist in Women Oncology (ovary cancer). You will next ask me why i choose him. Because in my case, i think he can do the job well (he knows me inside/out). I did a reseach, in my opinion any senior Gynae can do IVF treatment, the important of the IVF treatment, as i said is the skill of the Gynae in ET and also Lab that handle the embyro. In Singapore, there are 3 Specialists that i know do alot of research work on Infertility, they operate their own Lab/hospital lab. They are Charles Lim (Mt. E), PC Wong (NUH) and Sheila Loh (KKH).

I believe CARE charge higher than KKHIVF beacuse is privately run. It will probably cost me all in all 10K. Also depending on how much drug you will be using. I only use Lucrin so far. A bottle at Care cost me S$169 as compare to KKHIVF is S$80+. But you should consider, the services that you get from different centre may not be the same. I can do all tests at CARE all under 15mins. I usually dont need to wait because they know that we will have kind of "mood swing". They will never wants us to wait.

Ok..you may want to read about Dr Charles Lim webpage. He wrote quite a good details on IVF treatment. Quite informative i find. He operate his own lab. http://www.ivf-treatment.com
 
Bodhi

Thanks for your well wishes.

I have used up 7 p kits last cycle cos my af was late by 4 days. But ended up still nothing. So for this round me just measure the temp without doing any testing. Anyway, if it has happened, it is there, if it has not happened, we also can't do anything.

And frankly speaking, after ttcing for 3 years, I have "immuned" to all the dissappointments, anger and upset. But I will still stay positive, strong and believe there is always a way if we have the will and believing miracle will happen one day... it is just the matter of time.

How are you now? Everything ok after the surgery?
 
Hi MK,

In my case, i am alittle different from the rest here with KKHIVF. I work with Angela on Embyro issue. Checking the quality of eggs and sperms. She's the expert. She respond very promptly on my inquiries. Usually i dont really ask alot of questions during treatment, only when i experience something "strange" than i will ask her. In my opinion, different people respond differently toward the treatment. Therefore, the more we know what we will anticipate, the more worries we will have. After all, it is an experience that our body is going through not she. For the development of eggs in me. I work with Dr Koh. He will monitor the eggs in me. I will need to engage someone to do my ER & ET though, which i will have to select later.

Lastly, is a FULL lab facilities at CARE.

I hope my info do help you on your selection of centre. There is no good or bad fertility centre. Ultimatly, their aim is to make you pregnant. You just need to weight it yourself, in term of your financial status, the location of the centre that give you the convenience, the services etc. because all these can induce to stress. Which is a big hiccup to IVF treatment.
 
koala,

I tell you har. Dont GIVE UP if your dream is to have a baby. Unless, you have change your mind than we talk about it later. Your AF is still not here. You can be pregnant since you are under treatment to induce it. So, please place one hand at your belly and massage your "little dot".

For myself, i have recovered from the surgery. Now on western medicine to "wash out" all the residue/toxins in me. Will be going for TCM to "tiao" my body after i finish the western medication. I think my haemoglobin has dropped abit due to the loss of blood during the surgery. Will need to pump it up again.

Hai~ that's life. Bored to hell at home. Keep practising my Yoga to kill my time. Hmmm...maybe later go for foot reflex to get some "pains"!

You stay cool ya...
 
Bodhi

Nope, I will not change my my baby dream until such a day I fulfill it.

I will, will PMA every minute from now, promise..
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Thanks.

So which TCM you intend to go?
 
koala,

Going to see Dr Koh Lee Hoon for my TCM treatment. She is specialist in TCM infertilty and she is practising at Thong Chai too. But i am going to her private clinic either at Tampines or Race Course Road.
 
Hi Ladies,

Many thanks for your encouragement.
Yes i feel lousy, disappointed ... and "goal"-less.

And to top it off, its like I have "damaged" my system with a very excessive process.

Today, i went to see Dr Koh Lee Hoon at Thong Chai, she suggested that i take 2-3months break to get back to shape. She likened the ER where someone has broken into house to take all your furniture (eggs), now its time to redo the place again and allow the good eggs to form again.

In fact, she didn give medication yet, just ask me to start charting my temp. and take bakfoongyuan 7 days from now. Will see her again next week, then will give prescription from then on.

Does anyone have experience with her ? Is she a good TCM specialist?

Actually, i am considering adoption as well, but not so soon, probably end next year ... any thoughts?

gracie
 
Hi Gracie,
don be disheartened, i went thru 3 icsi and 1 fet all within 1 year, all bfn but i am not giving up. i understand how u feel and what u r going thru, don worry, time will heal. i went to dr sheila loh at kkivf and 2 other docs at gleneagles and tmc. i din wait at kkivf, i went there first time on 31st dec 2004 and started my stimulation on the next day ( i was on short protocol) that showed kk can be very efficient too. kkivf is very far the cheapest and most efficient i have experienced.
 
Hi Bodhi,
understand fr my aussie frens, the reasons for not putting in more than 2 embies is because they do not want to put the mothers at risk of having multiple babies.moreover, it cost ard AU$1k for 1 cycle of ivf because it is heavily subsidised by their government. i know someone who went through 13cycles before bfp! she mentioned that she will not be able to fulfil her baby dream if she is in singapore.the cost of 1 cycle here is equivalent to her 13 cycles!!!
 
Hi Gracie,

Good to hear from you. Dr Koh Lee Hoon "tiao" my body last year. I can't tell whether a Doctor is good or no good. Is all about how confident/faith you have in her/him. She did not prescribe any medication to me too. I took bak foong yuan and "eight precious" soup. These two items "bu" the uterus. She has a PHD in TCM infertility and she did research work on infertility too.

Yes. You need to chart your temperature every day. She is one physician that focus alot on timing. During the ovulation period and you will be ask to ML according to the dates. It will be alittle stressful.

TCM Fertility doctor usually not in favour with Western Technique in treating infertility. Because Western Technique give us FAST result with "high tech" drugs and we buy that idea. We will therefore need to do some balancing work ourself. However, the final objective for both techniques are to assist us to get pregnant and to heal our body from any life threating conditions.

At the meantime, as what she said give yourself a break and "tiao" your body and exercise too.

Take care...
 
Thanks miraclebaby for your insight & encouragement ... its so good that the Australian gov heavily subsidises IVF. Its really quite frustrating that the Singapore gov talk about lack of babies, and here we are trying so hard to have one, and the gov is not even subsidising more.... sigh... worst of all, its using OUR own money from MEdisave, AND to top it off, they are "allowing" us to use our own medisvae in diminishing amounts $6k, $4k, $2k, (apparently chances are lower as each cycle progresses) ... what a load of s%$t!! I mean, some people just need to go thru more cycles to get the baby ...like your friend.

Bodhi ... i agree with you... mean time i am feeling down becos, i know i have weakened my body system, esp the ovaries and uterus. I mean, it was quite forceful to have applied such high level of HCG, sucked out the eggs and then pumping progesterone suppositories into my uterus etc.

Yes, the western technique is very FAST hence forceful in approach, and indeed it has produced results in some but sometimes adverse results in others.

To top it off, as i am having AF now, i am having one of the worse cramps and also feeling pain and weakness at the uterus and ovary even at day 2/3 (usually i get cramps and tiredness only for one day and thats it). And i know that this is a outcome of post IVF treatment.

I wish to recover faster from this aftermath, meantime, i cant exercise ... sigh ... so the inertia is also contributing to my sadness.
 
Hi Gracie,

Why dont you call up your Gynae and check. You should not be bearing the "unusual" pain. It might be some blood clot at your uterus area. You have paid so much to your Gynae for your IVF treatment. You should seek his clearance that there is nothing wrong with your uterus and ovaries after the treatment. With the clearance from your Gynae. It will be better for Dr Koh to perform her TCM treatment on you.

Please do not because of a fail IVF treatment from this Gynae and you walk away without him/her assuring you that your Reproduction System is ok. You need to get a Post-Treatment Clearance from him/her. This is just my opinion.
 
hi Bodhi,

Thanks for your concern ... the pain is less aparent today ... hopefully its due to the expelling of blood clots, which will subside as the AF finishes...

Thanks for your advice too,
i will arrange to meet doc next monday (7 days from period).
Just cannot stand the fact that i have to pay him another consultation fee.
But i also did tell the nurse to prepare all the medical records/documents to pass me. Would you believe that such "professional" doctors dont even bother to initiate such a meeting?
sigh... that we as patients, who pay them so much, have to ask for these?
quite disappointed with the medical profession here...
 
Hi ladies,
dun mind me joining... trying hard for BB too but have no vail... just wanna to check whether it is necessary to check tube whether block or not if opt for IVF/ICSI?
 
Hi Cancerian

Welcome to this thread. May be I just highlight the information if you are considering private.

As for TMC, if you have opt IVF, it is not necessary for you to go check the tubes. However, the doctor normally will advise you to consider you to go for so-iui first instead of jumping to IVF (if you have no failure so-iui records) And to proceed with so-iui, doctor will ask you to check your tubes if you didn't do that before. The validity of the checked tubes or HSG report also depends on how long ago it was issued. If it was issued too long ago, the doctor might ask you to re-check the tubes.
 
Gracie

Glad to know that you are better now. As for the doctors in Singapore (esp Specialist), I always feel that they are always at the "upper hand". I also have a very unpleasant experience with my previous Specialist, even he is bearing the famous name.

BUT, please do not let all these affect you, now the most important thing is to re-build your health. ok?

Best Regards
Koala
 
Hi Cancerian,

Welcome to this thread. I will try to give you my input because i am alittle different from the ladies here. My ivf treatment is like "a la cart menu".

I guess is really up to you and based on your Gynae's recommendation. If the Gynae suspect that your tube maybe block and resulted you unable to conceive, than you will have to go for HSG (x-ray of your tubes). In my case, my Gynae did not request me to go for it. He see no problem in me so far. So is optional. However, i still went for my HSG during my Annual Health Screening just to make sure my both tubes are ok.

Next, beside HSG the next comprehensive overview of your entire Reproduction System (uterus, ovaries, tubes)is a surgery call Laparoscopic. The Gynae will use a scope through your belly button to view your Reproduction System to see any abnormality. This is quite costly. About S$7K.

I think hor...in your case. You have not go through screening to find out the root of your problem not able to conceive right? You should consider to check your hormone first (A Good Gynae should be able to advise you) and your hubby to go for sperm analysis to check his sperm form and quantity.

In my opinion, you should check all these first before taking the ivf path.
 
Gracie,

Glad to hear that you are getting better. Cheer up and move on! :)

Ya. Is not easy to scout for a good Gynae. For me, a Gynae is not only assist us to get pregnant. His/Her major role is to able to diagnose any life threating illnesses in the Reproduction System. Nothing is more important than my own health.

I am wondering, dont your Gynae give you a copy of every scans (pictures) and blood test report? For example, i had a surgery recently to remove my cyst. I was given a picture of the cyst on Day 1 when it was detected. As you know, a liquid cyst come and go. Unfortunatly, this stubborn cyst has grown and did not go away and i need to get it out. Then i was given the picture of the cyst with the size showed on the day before the surgery. And after the surgery still got DVD to see how the procedures was done.

On the other hand, during my ivf treatment, i have all the pictures from the ultra sound scans and blood test records. I think this is good. We know what is going on inside us and it protect the Gynae also.

Anyhow...life still go on. You just need to ensure that your Reproduction System are functioning well after the treatment. If you can, you may want to ask him/her to give you a discharge letter stating everying is ok. Take Care!
 
Hi Hui, Koalatree & Bodhi,

Thanks for the advise. I have actually being diagnosed having PCOs recently due to my irregular of the menses. Having been trying to conceive since I'm married 2yrs ago. Initally it is male factor but now it is female factor.

I also have been seeing a Chinese Sinseh to help me to tiao back my hormone level but seems not doing so fine. In fact, I'm schedule to go for scope this month but becos my menses come suddenly, I have to postponed till next month instead. My gyn did inform me that I might have problem with my womb lining so that y going fo the scope.

Very depressed to learn all this and which y I'm opting for IVF/ICSI as the last resort. Anyone can advise KKH or PTE better? If PTE, any doctor to recommend? How about KKH?
 
cancerian

before looking at IVF and ICSI, there is still Clomid, IUI, SO-IUI that usually can work before going stright into IVF and ICSI. unless it's a case of blocked tubes, then no choice have to proceed to IVF.

i have very severe PCOS but manage to conceive twice under clomid+iui, but lost both babies due to low progesterone and an ectopic pregnancy.

so have hope that can still conceive wihtout going thru IVF.
 
Hi babymaking,
Yes, I understand that there is still clomid. I have tried 5 cycle of clomid before until I put on tremendous weight and yet still no news. The doctor wanted to prescribe me with more clomid but I rejected cos I'm really very scare to put on any more weight cos my height can take my present weight anymore. I'm consider obese now and trying hard to reduce weight as well with no success (the nurse also advise me to do so).
But I'm glad that you managed to conceive thru' clomid and sorry to know that you have miscarriage. I also have low progesterone... do you know how to improve the level?

I do hope to conceive naturally w/o having to go thru IVF but the pressure from peers/family/friends and the wait are "killing" me. Sometime just wish to get out of here for good... :p
 
cancerian

there is no cure for low progesterone except jabs or progesterone inserts during the 2www.

a blood test at CD23 to test progesterone level is to see if you have ovulated, if that result is low mean no ovulation has taken place, which means clomid didn;t work for you and you may have to try SO IUI.

the drugs used to stimulate the ovaries for SO IUI and IVF are the same drugs usually puregon.

i put on more than 10kg since i started on clomid plus miscarriages and stress etc, now i am borderline obese also.

because of that, i decided to stop ttc and lose weight first. losing wieght will help with PCOS and giving the best chances to suceed with IVF later on.

i ahve given up hope of conceiving naturally, now just aim to lsoe weight and then restart on the ivf program next year.
 
oh by the way, i don;t know if anyone has told ya before, PCOS patients take longer to lose weight and it will bounce back.

one way is to take metformin, quite a no of gals who took metformin lost weight as it helps the body to make use of insulin better.

another is tcm to tiao hormones, also got friends who lost wieght using this method.

i will be trying the aimin method via accupuncture *cross fingers that it works*
 
Hi Cancerian,

Sorry to hear that. Hmmm...HSG is to check your fallopian tubes. You may have PCO (Polycystic ovarian syndrome) that affect your ovulation. But on the other hand, it could be the fallopian tube that give the problem. Eg, Blockage, damage etc. So the sperm can't swim to the egg. Therefore, everything can be unknown until the Gynae know what's wrong inside your Reproduction System + a Sperm Analysis.

In my opinion, whether you want to take the IVF path is really an individual choice. You have to ask yourself whether you are financially ready, emotionally prepare to face the final result. If you ask me about the process, i think the process (injection, bloatness, adominal pain)play a very small role of the entire treatment.

Please do not depress. You just need to face the challange. Life can be meaningful and fun!

Your question to ask whether private or KKHIVF. Hmmm...sorry i can't answer you. Is really an indivdual choice. In term of cost, KKHIVF cost around S$7K (Gynae + Lab). Private cost S$10K ~ S$25K depending on your Gynae and the Lab. In term of emotional threshold on the final result = SAME.

Take care and stay happy!
 
Hi babymaking,
Thanks for letting me... I guess as much that it is difficult to lose weight for PCOs patients as I have tried so many methods and in the end I'm still as plump as before. I'm beginning to accept the fact that I can't go back to my normal self. What is metformin and can this medication be prescribed by the doctor if we request for it?
I'm currently seeing a Chinese sinseh who is tryin to tiao my hormones but doesn't seem to be working well...
Oh accupuncture? I'm thinking of that as well but don't know how much is the cost of the treatment...

Hi Bodhi,
Thank for the advise. I know IVF will not be an easy one especially in terms of emotional stress that one has to go thru.. I'll just go for the scope next month to determine what steps I will be taking by end of the yr. Hopefully after the scope, my gyne able to let me know what wrong with my reproduction system...
If the outcome is really bad... then I have to opt for IVF/ICSI as the last resort.. Cost is a concern to me... I think I may have to choose KKH as the centre.

I'm trying to be as positive as possible and that not an easy task especially when so many pple around keep asking me the same question over and over again... "when are you gg to have little one"? "Don't wait so long to have one", "your age is not young anymore, why still not starting one?"
and it is really causing me nervous breakdown at times
happy.gif


Nevertheless, I keep telling myself, I will sure go through all the challenge that I'm being put thru and this does help to ease me a little. hehehe
 
hi cancerian

metformin is actually a drug given to diabetics to control their sugar level but it has been known to aid ovulation in pcos patient, one of the benefits is that pcos patients lose weight while on it.

pcos patients also ahve a higher chance of developing diabetes type 2, that's why losing weight is all the more impt.

be positive, when there is a will, there is a way.

bodhi

i like yr independent way of apporaching yr ivf treatment. i think that it's a very take charge and responsible method to control the process.

all the best!
 
Hi babymaking,

Thanks. I think I will continue to seek herbal treatment instead.
happy.gif
I will proceed to do the scope first to determine the problem that I'm having. Hopefully it will not turn out too bad. Then I will take the next step. Meantime, like you I will just concentrate on losing my weight. hehehee...
 


Hi Gracie
Sorry to hear that
sad.gif
U had been very supporting during our cycles and 2ww and God will lead your way to motherhood journey soon. Rest well now and 'tiao' yr body for another cycle. Don't be disheartened to try again. Lots of blessing for you
happy.gif
 

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