Confused, sceptical and feeling down!

Tina · Post by **Tina** » Wed Aug 20, 2003 8:24 am

Dear everyone Please could you help? We have male factor infertility - at last count partners sperm was 0.1ml, 10% motility, 80% abnormal. Very low. We had ICSI at Hammersmith hospital in Nov 2002, had 12 eggs, 10 fertilised, 2 put back (one good 6 cell one average 4 cell, day 3). Pregnant with one baby, saw heartbeat at 7 weeks, no heartbeat at 9 weeks. Second attempt June 2003, 8 eggs, all fertilised, 2 average put back (both 6 cell). Negative In both cases none good enough to freeze. Have just had consultation at ARGC, who are suggesting (on top of ICSI costs) that we do the following: Small camera in womb to check for adhesions, fibroids etc - at over £1000 Mid cycle scan Various blood tests including one for antibodies Pre-implantation embryo bi-opsy to test for chromosomes - £2000 I feel very depressed and down as we have had all the tests last year and they showed nothing wrong with me - but severe male factor issue. I can see the benefit of the antibodies screening, and also the pre-implantation screening - but surely they are for people who have had many more treatments? The doctor kept saying, with my history of miscarriage, we must do these tests? I thought a history of miscarriage was 3 rather than only 1. I just feel like the ARGC are taking me for a ride! I know that they are very cautious and want to be sure of everything, but all of a sudden we are looking at £7,500 for one cycle - which is just too much! Any advice or experiences of the ARGC you could give would be very much appreciated. Sorry for the lengthy email. Thank you Tina

Helen S · Post by **Helen S** » Wed Aug 20, 2003 8:45 am

Hi Tina What a nightmare for you. I am not at ARGC, so can't help you on that one, but I did have chromosne tests (as did DH) and also antiphospholipid tests done on the NHS. This is even though we have paid for our treatment privately. Have you thought about ringing your local hospital to see if they can help? Those costs you have been quoted look astronomical! I know there are some other girls at ARGC that post on the boards, so they might be able to help you more. Try and stay +ve honey, I know it is hard, but do shop around, it may save you £000000000's. Love Helen. xxx

kathryn · Post by **kathryn** » Fri Aug 22, 2003 9:12 am

hi tina, im not at the argc either but we have just had a + which then went on to be an early m/c. my 1st attempt was a -. We have also been advised to have tests ( I have m/c before with natural pgs , so i know its different for me). I just want to get on with a fet but I know that it could be money down the drain if it doesnt work again. So we are going to have the varios tests done. I did have alot of tests done on the nhs before we started ivf such as a hysteroscopy (camera in the womb) so it might be worth doing as helen suggests and find out if your local hospital can help. Its the time that I cant handle! Im very impatient and just want to try again. Im sure you will find someone here who has been at the argc. take care and all the best kathryn x