IVF success rates?

Hi


We have had several failed IUI attempts and are now wanting to get on to IVF. Wondering if anyone knows of Dr Robert Stevenson's succcess rates with IVF? What about other doctors? Any recommendations would be appreciated.

Hi, sorry I have no idea about Dr. Robert Stevenson. But I had IVF treatments with Dr. Choy and Dr. Ho. Personally I would recommend Dr. Ho. Questions I would ask the doctor...


- How many IVF patients does he/she cycle each month (this I believe is very important, I should have asked this question on cycles one and two! If they only cycle say 1-2 then I would question their experience. Ideally I think you should be looking for a doctor that cycles say 7-10 patients a month. This will obviously give them more experience in dealing with different cases).

- Which clinic/hospital does he/she use for egg pick up/transfer (again very important to find out if the lab is good. On my 3rd cycle I went to the Santorium Hospital. They were very kind and excellent. They did ICSI automatically and also offered assisted hatching). Ask the lab what their success rate is.

- What is the doc success rate for your age group

- What drugs does he recommend to use and what's the the cost. This is an expensive part of the process. I found the same drugs were $600 a day cheaper with Dr. Ho. Quite a big difference, especially when stimming for 10-14 days.

- How often will you be monitered during the stimulation part of the cycle (ie scans and blood work).

- Does he and the clinic carry out egg pick up and transfer 7 days a week.

- What support do they offer after tranfer. Normally most docs will give progestrone. I would also ask if your progestrone levels via blood test will be checked during the 2 week wait. Will they offer any other support of injections to help the lining etc. Some docs do this others don't.

- Estimated cost for a treatment. Ask for the breakdown for the hospital cost for egg pick up, day care at hospital, lab costs, transfer etc. And also how much does the doc charge for his part in the egg pick up/transfer. I was originally told for my first cycle that the cost would be around HK$80 and ended up paying over HK$120! The 3rd cycle was told around HK$75 and it was just under. Alot will depend on the amount of drugs you need. I had 450 of Gonal f (max amount)

- Make sure that everything is explained to you clearly. I would also make notes of all the drugs you are taking/dates of visits/results of blood tests/scans etc.

I have the costs of Dr. Ho and Santorium if you need them. Let me know and I'll dig them out.

Good luck and if you need any further info, feel free to drop me a PM.

I found a good book by Zita West called Conception and Fertility. It had quite a good section on IVF which I found very helpful.

Hi Buzz


This is amazing advice. Thank you so much! with regard to the costings, i have been informed its all up about HK$80,000 to $85,000. Success rate is about 43% as opposed to IUI at 12%. A big difference which comes with a much higher cost.

Hope you were successful!

Thanks again for your time. Will let you know how I go.

No problem! After my first two very bad/costly IVF cycles I became IVF obsessed - can you tell!Also ask what protocol they will follow. Some docs down regulate first, some go straight into stimming. It normal depends on your age and FSH levels. Sucess rate of 43% is actually very good. But at 85K a go, you really want it to be 99.9%! And yes thankfully I was successful on my 3rd go! But honestly even if I wasn't. I would have definately stuck with Dr. Ho, I felt very comfortable with him and his staff are wonderful.

Keep us updated on how you go.

Like your IVF done in Malaysia? Please contact me at michael76992000@yahoo.com

Hi Buz,

Your email on what to ask was very informative. I have already gone thru one unsuccessful IVF cycle in the US. Last time it was thru my Ob-Gyn's (whom I respect a lot and miss!)recommendation so I never needed to ask all these details. Since I have just moved to HK- I had been wondering how to find and what to ask IVF dr's.

I have had 4 failed IVF's in the UK. We live and work in Shanghai but always come home for the treatment. Unfortunately with the latest failure it means I cannot expect my company to continue to release me for so much time, so need to hope that shanghai hospitals can help us. I Would appreciate any information or experience with ruijin or ji Ai hospital or any other hospital that may offer IVF in Shanghai.

I am forty this year so time is important

Hi Buz,

Thanks for your detailed info, which is very useful for me.


After 3 IUI attempts & miscarried in 2nd. I was super sad and confused (not sure why it's so difficult to have it work) I am now looking for my 1st appointment in Sanitorium coming Wed 21st to start my first IVF. Strange thing is that I am now 5 days late with no sign of PMS or period... but the preg test is neg this morning :(


I was going to have my 1st appt with Dr Troy, but as I had Cecilia 2 weeks ago (i was desperate to see a doc, whoever was available), not sure if I should stick with Cecilia or just check with Troy? Can anyone give me suggestions based on your prev experience? Thank you so much

Hi Joe,

Thanks for your advise.