IVF Success in Dubai at 40+ anyone?

I am 41 and was about to give up hope, until I had my first successful cycle at Bourn Hall Clinic Dubai. I have been trying for 10 years, and have had 4 failed cycles previously. Ask for Dr. David Robertson. I think it is because of their lab or something. It s equipped with this high tech technology to clean the air where they do the treatments before the embryo transferring. the embrologist there actually told me himself that my embryos were fertizliating beautifully and were in good condition. I am due in a couple months. lets hope all goes well. Congratulations! That is amazing and really encourging to hear. I am 42 and also have been trying for 10 years, we are due to do our first cycle of IVF in January (finally!), I wanted to do Natural IVF and had my heart set on that but I had been told by my doctor at the IVF clinic that it is best to do conventional IVF so that will be the route that I will take - I really can't wait as it's been put off for quite a few months now. Good luck to you "ladyrola"!

I am 41 and was about to give up hope, until I had my first successful cycle at Bourn Hall Clinic Dubai. I have been trying for 10 years, and have had 4 failed cycles previously. Ask for Dr. David Robertson. I think it is because of their lab or something. It s equipped with this high tech technology to clean the air where they do the treatments before the embryo transferring. the embrologist there actually told me himself that my embryos were fertizliating beautifully and were in good condition. I am due in a couple months. lets hope all goes well.

Hilsbils, I've come late to this - so sorry to hear this and if you want to talk to someone else who has been through miscarriages, let me know. Hugs. xxx

Oh Hilsbils I've only just seen your sad news now, I hope ur ok? sending you big hugs and should you decide to try again I wish you all the luck in the world as you so deserve it. Sometimes I find that our OH's need a little seed of an idea planting in their minds and then time to think about it,maybe if you bring up the adoption again shortly he may change his mind. Don't write of IVF yet, it was ur first attempt yes? Its strange you mention the ecoli-gastro after your procedure at City Hospital, I had that too withn hours of a procedure there and I hadn't eaten anything all day and the evening before had the same food as DH who was fine (and I normally have a stronger constitution than him!). I came away thinking that the hospital musn't be very clean?? Take some time to try and relax and prepare yourself for whatever journey you take next, hugs x

HB I would only look in here to see how you were doing, so terribly sorry to hear your news. Like many others I am thinking of you. N X

Just saw this now HB, you have been through such a lot; I just can't imagine how you must be feeling. I pray that you will have strength and comfort right now. xxx

Thanks so much ladies. We didnt tell anyone so its good to 'e-talk- here and feel supported. I am up and down. Yesterday I had a good day and felt upbeat, but this morning walking around JBR there were so many gorgeous babies on display I had to flee. That's the hardest thing - is all the beautiful babies. My preggy symptoms disappeared immediately after the D&C and my body no longer feels pregnant, of course, but my brain remains impregnated somehow! I am holding thumbs for the other lovely ladies out there and hope they have great luck and lots of baby dust to them now. xxx

Hilsbils I was so saddened to read you post and I'm so sorry. Have been thinking of you all the time, look after yourself and give yourself time to recover. Sending you hugs xx

Dear HB, you are in my thoughts and prayers. N XX

HB, so sorry to read your news and all fingers crossed for good news to come soon. Hugs to you xxxx

Hilsbils, im so sorry to read this, i dont have any words to say, just take care of each other, thinking of you xx

Oh HB, I am so sorry to hear your news. I know its hard but try to keep strong and stay positive, and most importantly dont give up! Take time to recover mentally and physically. Sending you lots of cyber hugs. xxxx

I am so sorry to read the news. No words can i say to comfort you. Sending Big hugs from EW

Awww Hilsbils I am so sorry, sure I can remove my message, will do it now. Sending huge hugs to you... x

Hills bills, I've been watching your story and your last post brought tears to my eyes. I am thinking of you and I hope the happiness that is waiting in your future finds you soon x

so sorry for your loss hillsbills. you are in my toughts. i had 3 MCs and it's the most devastating thing to go through. i do have a gorgeous little boy now to show for all the heartache, so dont give up. xxx

Hi ladies Im sorry for being so quiet here but we had bad news. We lost the foetus We went for the 8.4 week scan and the heartbeat had stopped and growth had stopped at 7.3 weeks. Even though I was very aware of the risks and very cautiously optimistic, we were still devastated and cried for 2 days. I know that some 1 in 4 pregnancies end in mc and I suppose I believed that with all the good luck we had conceiving that we might bypass this cruel trick by mother nature. Anyway, I read that the during the first 12 weeks, the foetus searches for genetic data every day in order to grow another part of itself. And when some data is not available it stops there. So we know that it wasn’t anything we did, or ate, or anything wrong with the IVF process, but rather that it was pre-destined due to the possibly the poor egg quality. Next step was to come out of denial and prepare for a miscarriage. There seem to be many advantages and risks for both natural and D&C, and so we opted to wait until my body started the process and finally end it in the hospital. So last week Wed night I got cramps and headed to City for the procedure. Dr Sima Delgahndi did the procedure and she was fantastic. I cant fault City hospital as they were all excellent. But a few hours after being discharged I got very sick with E-coli gastro! No, it wasn’t the hospital food as Dh snacked off all my food and is fine. We suspect a quiche eaten a few days before and the cramps I felt were probably not even the miscarriage starting but the E-coli. It felt like a horrible double whammy. Very luckily for me there was very little pain or bleeding from the D&C and Im really glad I didn’t start to miscarry at home during the gastro – and I think those cramps would have started it off – as it would have been an impossible mess. So, otherwise it will take time to grieve and get over this and decide what to do next. Im still very pro adoption and Dh is still not and Im struggling with that as Id rather we drop this IVF story and give my body a break. Time will tell. Thanks for the lovely support I had here through the whole process – it was a huge help. I don’t want any newly pregnant ladies or those considering IVF to be put off by this. Don’t lose hope! @alismum – I wonder if you could remove your lovely kind comment on the main board thread http://www.expatwoman.com/forum/messages.aspx?TopicID=190604 as I have kept the pregnancy news off that board as the few folk who may know me, never read the babies board so it was safely confidential here. Many thanks xx :( edited by hilsbils on 04/10/2012 edited by hilsbils on 04/10/2012 So sorry to hear this. If you need anything let me know :-)

Hi ladies Im sorry for being so quiet here but we had bad news. We lost the foetus We went for the 8.4 week scan and the heartbeat had stopped and growth had stopped at 7.3 weeks. Even though I was very aware of the risks and very cautiously optimistic, we were still devastated and cried for 2 days. I know that some 1 in 4 pregnancies end in mc and I suppose I believed that with all the good luck we had conceiving that we might bypass this cruel trick by mother nature. Anyway, I read that the during the first 12 weeks, the foetus searches for genetic data every day in order to grow another part of itself. And when some data is not available it stops there. So we know that it wasn’t anything we did, or ate, or anything wrong with the IVF process, but rather that it was pre-destined due to the possibly the poor egg quality. Next step was to come out of denial and prepare for a miscarriage. There seem to be many advantages and risks for both natural and D&C, and so we opted to wait until my body started the process and finally end it in the hospital. So last week Wed night I got cramps and headed to City for the procedure. Dr Sima Delgahndi did the procedure and she was fantastic. I cant fault City hospital as they were all excellent. But a few hours after being discharged I got very sick with E-coli gastro! No, it wasn’t the hospital food as Dh snacked off all my food and is fine. We suspect a quiche eaten a few days before and the cramps I felt were probably not even the miscarriage starting but the E-coli. It felt like a horrible double whammy. Very luckily for me there was very little pain or bleeding from the D&C and Im really glad I didn’t start to miscarry at home during the gastro – and I think those cramps would have started it off – as it would have been an impossible mess. So, otherwise it will take time to grieve and get over this and decide what to do next. Im still very pro adoption and Dh is still not and Im struggling with that as Id rather we drop this IVF story and give my body a break. Time will tell. Thanks for the lovely support I had here through the whole process – it was a huge help. I don’t want any newly pregnant ladies or those considering IVF to be put off by this. Don’t lose hope! @alismum – I wonder if you could remove your lovely kind comment on the main board thread http://www.expatwoman.com/forum/messages.aspx?TopicID=190604 as I have kept the pregnancy news off that board as the few folk who may know me, never read the babies board so it was safely confidential here. Many thanks xx :( edited by hilsbils on 04/10/2012 <em>edited by hilsbils on 04/10/2012</em>

thanks hilsbils, you didn't mention if everything is ok with you?? So does Dr Munira do every afternoon in DMMC? I don't think he could come with me, especially not on the scan days as he doesn't like to sit still, better if I have someone who can push him around the mall or let him walk around :)

Hi everyone, Hilbils how is everything going? all ok I hope :) I actually need some advice please. I saw Dr M for a follow-up appoint today and she said I can start IVF treatment next week (eek!) as thats when I am due on. She said that she is not in the DMMC every day and so I would need to do my injections in the afternoon but have my scan first. I am confused!!! what times did you do your menopur injections? I have a 2 yr old son and was going to hire an agency nanny for the mornings say 7 till 2 every day but if my appointments have to be afternoons and that could make it more difficult for me. I would have to get the Nanny 2pm till 6pm or something similar and hope that traffic doesn't delay me from getting home. I actually asked her to explain twice but I had my son with me in the appointment room and I was distracted by him so didn't quite understand! I take it I have to go there for a scan first and then do my injection after the scan dependant on the scan results?? does Dr Munira work in DMMC every afternoon? Help!!! The most important thing is to have the injections at the same time every day or within an hour or so. It must be possible to have them in the mornings but if your day 2 of the periods lands on her afternoon shift thats tricky. But she is sometimes there in the mornings and if your periods co-oncide with that it should be fine. The pharmacist will keep all your vials and meds, and you collect them and then go looking for the nurses. Waiting for either Amy, Lourdes or Zara to come free and then mix the vials together took around 30 minutes. In total I was often there for around an hour or 45 mins per day. I used Emla on my belly and came with it cling-filmed onto my belly so that I wouldnt feel the needle. Your little one could come along ... not much happens that could interfere etc.

Hi everyone, Hilbils how is everything going? all ok I hope :) I actually need some advice please. I saw Dr M for a follow-up appoint today and she said I can start IVF treatment next week (eek!) as thats when I am due on. She said that she is not in the DMMC every day and so I would need to do my injections in the afternoon but have my scan first. I am confused!!! what times did you do your menopur injections? I have a 2 yr old son and was going to hire an agency nanny for the mornings say 7 till 2 every day but if my appointments have to be afternoons and that could make it more difficult for me. I would have to get the Nanny 2pm till 6pm or something similar and hope that traffic doesn't delay me from getting home. I actually asked her to explain twice but I had my son with me in the appointment room and I was distracted by him so didn't quite understand! I take it I have to go there for a scan first and then do my injection after the scan dependant on the scan results?? does Dr Munira work in DMMC every afternoon? Help!!!

Hi allowicious. Great news! I hope it goes well. My weight gain was mostly due to under-active thyroid. So I presume the doctors will do ICSI where they implant the sperms into the eggs? I also understand that the very best quality sperm is 3-5 days old so time your 'relations' prior to sample according to that. My Dh had 3 tests and each one was so different. Worst result was after 9 days abstinence as everything was dying off and best result after 3 days when swimmers were new and strong. I had intense tiredness and nausea last week but its gone today. Weird? I don't like these stop-start symptoms. I want to feel terrible and reaaallly pregnant. But it may come back again. Im also struggling with spots all over boobs, shoulders and face so I look rather nasty and have also picked up around 3/4 more kilograms since the start of IVF so hard to explain to friends why I am so rough looking these days. He he he.... but really its all good. I cant wait for the 12 week wait to be over - its excruciating wondering if its all going to work or not. But I do the positive visualizations every morning and urge the little blob to grow and hang in there. I even bribe it with promises of lenient parenting and unlimited toys ;) Good luck to you and lots of baby dust to you xx

Hilsbils great news about the scan :) If your going to get morning sickness (lucky if you don't!) it should kick in round about now!!! My insulin test came back normal so no need for more metformin for me - yay! But also bad news as it means I am just fat because I eat too much ;) Follow up appointment on 26th and I am finally getting ov signs on CD41 of my cycle!!! so she should be able to scan me and see a CL on my ovary. This is our last natural try before the IVF and even tho theres no real hope of me getting pregnant with such low and immotile swimmers its still worth a try as it only takes one lol!!

Hilsbils, this is fab news!! Congratulations! So amazing to see that little thing beating. With regards to exercise, I used to do loads before, lots of running etc. I avoided everything in first 12 wks, then under dr.m's advice swam every other day which I do now at 30 weeks. I've also started pre-natal yoga. Alowicious28. That's good news about your husband. It only takes 1 (or one for each egg) with icsi! Glad Lourdes called back. I always found a sat am best for the insulin test as they're less busy so not usually a queue for the blood sample room! I think I've mentioned on quite a few posts but I have so much respect for Dr. Munira, she will be totally straight with you and not give you false hopes etc. she is just so calm and I've never doubted her whatsoever. I'll definitely be going back to her for number 2! Confusion, sending you lots of baby dust aswell x

Thanks for that ladies, and for the reassurance about the heart beat DB. I was hoping to do 30 mins of walking a day or at least a swim or some yoga to keep some fitness up but I feel so tired. My hips/groin/pelvis joints are aching and I feel quite blobby myself. Breasts are aching too. But its all good. We are willing this blobby to stay put and grow grow.... sigh will the worrying ever stop? Maybe when they are 30?

Woo hoo! I am so happy you got to see the hb! Little peanut right on track :) Take it easy and rest as much as you like. Give some time, Your body is adjusting. You will be able to catch up with fitness later after 16w. Not to scare you but worth mentioning, I used to b dead tired and if any activity would always end up bleeding or spotting, especilally 5-8weeks. after 12w much easier. So please take it easy. <em>edited by Flower33 on 13/09/2012</em>

Hi ladies So I had my 6.6 week scan yesterday and I was so nervous that they would find nothing at all, but there was a blobby thing which apparently is at 6.4 weeks in size. Unfortunately the scan (vaginal ultra sound) didnt pick up the sound of the heartbeat but we could all see a regular wee flicker which is likely to be a small heart beating so she says it is probably ok. It wasnt ideal but I understand that there is no guarantee of a heartbeat so early and perhaps the blobby is lying to the back of the uterus and just out of range. So it was mostly good I suppose but we arent out of the woods for some weeks yet. Another scan in 2 weeks time to check again. No twins - only one blobby I am utterly exhausted - Ive hardly been able to move today. Drag myself out of bed, get into yoga gear, lie on mat dozing off.... and now ready for another nap. I do feel like a zombie. No nausea yet which means I am still eating loads and I worry about not keeping up some level of fitness now so stay healthy and strong for birth and beyond. Were you ladies able to get into an exercise routine after the first trimester? I feel like achey stiff jelly right now. Im not a natural athlete so it takes a bit more effort on my part and this tiredness is too much to overcome right now.

Hi Alliwicious .... From reading other ladies experiences of IVF, and assisted fertility, and in my experience too, its best to take control of your protocol and procedures and dont feel shy to ask lots of questions, send emails and speak up. I have full faith in Munira and her team, and feel my treatment was very personalised and that they kept up with the minutiae of my changes, but I felt more empowered by keeping abreast of everything happening, For example., I realised my period may come on a Thursday and my day 2 (start of injections) would start on Friday when both Munira and her nurse were off, and would be off on Sat too. So I went to get my prescription and meds a few days in advance and then went in search of the nurses to see who would be on duty on Friday and Saturday and to check that they knew how to do the IVF injection. Of course they knew and it all went smoothly but I needed to be in control to that extent. If Lourdes is off duty you can ask to see Zara or Amy who are both experienced and Lourdes said she is always on the end of the phone. I found Munira good at answering all my email questions so be sure to get her email address. Best of luck to you all!! xx