When deciding on IVF, which clinic, etc - keep in mind...

Babyhopes, I would definitely recommend Fakih IVF in the UAE. They have a clinic in Dubai and one in Abu Dhabi, and one in Michigan. I did one cycle with them at 39 (with PGD) and was successful. Transferred 3 embryos and 1 remained. I had done a tremendous research about Dr. Fakih before we made our decision and he really is a pioneer in fertility. I was very impressed when I read about his GIFT technique. Not sure exactly what it is, but just to know he comes up with new methods of treatment was something I admire in a doctor. This is probably why they always end up having the highest success rates around. But he doesn't give you enough time to cover all your questions, so make sure you write them all down and fire them one by one when you visit! Here's their website http://www.fakihivf.com/

babyhopes, you might want to consider the Farah Hospital in Amman, Jordan. I've almost completed a cycle with them. It's my third attempt (two failed in Qatar) and this year I turned 40 and discovered my egg reserve was very poor. Farah was recommended to me and I emailed them my notes and asked their opinion on whether I had a chance. They told me that I had a very slim chance so we decided to give it a go. I underwent retrieval yesterday and this morning I was told we have two embryos to transfer tomorrow! Both times in Doha, I only had one transferred so we have double the chance this time, insha'Allah. I'd definitely recommend Farah and they're quite happy for you to begin the stims phase in your home country if you don't want to be in Amman for the whole cycle. They're not great at responding to emails so you have to chase them up or call them but it's worth contacting them to find out their opinion. Dr Amal is lovely and the staff are so friendly and caring. Good luck xx

Wafa fertility centre inDubai healthcare city. Dr Wafa one of the pioneers in IVF. http://wafafertility.com/ They have branches in Abu dhabi and Oman.

am new to this forum, I live in Saudi and have been married for 7 years and after 5 failed IVF attempts in with a Dr in Bahrain , I am looking for a good IVF clinic in Dubai that will take on patient of 45 years. I have been told quite bluntly here that I am too old to have children. Can anyone recommend a good Dr. I have been reading about Dr Fakih in Al Wasl Road or the British clinics in AUH.

We got pregnant with Dr Fakih and his team earlier this year. When I first approached the clinic I wanted to know whether I had to act sooner rather than later to have another child (the first being IVF too but I had the treatment in the UK). He was very good and ordered the relevant tests which revealed that I had no time to lose. I found that at the DGFC they wanted to start treatment straight away which is not what I had wanted and I just wanted to know whether I could delay having more treatment until next year. We paid the 28k in two installments, one at the start of the egg stimulation and one at the egg retrieval. I have heard of a place called Bourne House where you can have IVF treatment but I couldn't tell you anymore than that. Good luck to all of you and I hope that you are successful.

Thank you nicegirl, I'm having my ovulation induction for months at Emirates Hosp. but still no luck, that's why my doctor told me to consider IVF since I have polycystic ovaries and not getting any younger (32). I'm planning to have an IVF after 3 months. Hopefully it will be successful for the first try, since it is very expensive. Baby dust to all of us.

Hi jhazdg, Hilsbils is absolutely right.Its a mix and match situation.I did my IVF from Dr.Pankaj.My first IVF cost me around 22k (which includes the procedure,medicines and the numerous blood tests).Unfortunately it did not work out the first time.I did my 2nd IVF in the next month itself which actually saved me the cost of many blood tests and bill came down to 18k.

Thank you hilsbils,

hi jhazdg0911 Its a mix and match situation where we must pay per consultation for the check ups and the scans etc (around 500 aed each time) and then we buy our own meds which are apparently very expensive, and then pay for the time use for eggs extract and implanation at Pankaj in Sharjah. So you only pay for what you use and if we decide to go for a gentler IVF route we pay accordingly, or if there is something wrong with the meds and we stop halfway through we only pay up until that point. Probably works out at around 25k but really hard to predict. The good thing was that medical ins paid for my first consultation which was billed as a check up but I only talked fertility issues there. After that we pay for everything

Hi nicegirl, Can you pls tell me how much does it cost for the IVF treatment for Dr, Munira at the Dubai Mall. thanks in advance. jhazdg

hello ladies... Dr.Munira Furniturewala was previously in Dr.Pankaj's Conceive hospital.I had spoken to her many a times and she was the one who scanned me after my 2nd ivf and conveyed the news that i was carrying triplets.Am not sure if she is still tied up with Conceive.

Regarding discounts, you may want to try the Money Back Guarantee offered by Fakih IVF. There are certain criteria, so you need to check if you qualify. You should be under the 38. Here's the link http://www.fakihivf.com/money-back-guaranteed/

Thanks Tinkerbell and Fandrew again. Very helpful and yes I realise that at 40 I need to move along now but seriously where did the time go as I still feel 28! I wasnt too surprised by my hubbys lazy swimmers and we both had a giggle over it as he is a lazy slow sort of man. He was really pleased with himself after the clinic visit and came home like Tarzan?! Anyway I wonder about Dr Waels success rate and also Dr Munira from Dubai Mall Clinic? I wonder if they take on the difficult cases as they are a govt hospital and so their stats are lower? I have heard lots of good things about both Wael and Muniras manner but less about their success rates. I dont mean to harp on about the money for me it is a big factor and causing us some stress. I stopped working and so our income is substantially lower as I was the breadwinner before and Dh will likely remain the breadwinner for some time if we do fall pregnant as I dont want the stress of work to jeapordise this in any way. So, we cant really afford as many as 3 x full priced IVFs and I wonder if there are discounts given after the first failed attempt? What does Dr Wael charge for full IVF? I hear what you say Fandrew about simply keeping on top of things with the docs and Ill just carry a note book and write it all down every time to remind and others. Thanks again and much luck to us all ! I think you will find that all of the clinics are going to be around the same mark in terms of price. Unless you do natural which as I mentioned may be slightly cheaper you are going to end up paying roughly the same. I am afraid that there will not be a clinic who will discount for any failed attempts at our age. Fakih does offer some sort of lower risk discount but obviously this is for women who qualify by being under 28 and hit other marks like low FSH etc etc. I do not know about other clinics. they may also offer discounts, but they will most certainly also be for young women whose odds are in their favor to become pregnant even without intervention.

Thanks Tinkerbell and Fandrew again. Very helpful and yes I realise that at 40 I need to move along now but seriously where did the time go as I still feel 28! I wasnt too surprised by my hubbys lazy swimmers and we both had a giggle over it as he is a lazy slow sort of man. He was really pleased with himself after the clinic visit and came home like Tarzan?! Anyway I wonder about Dr Waels success rate and also Dr Munira from Dubai Mall Clinic? I wonder if they take on the difficult cases as they are a govt hospital and so their stats are lower? I have heard lots of good things about both Wael and Muniras manner but less about their success rates. I dont mean to harp on about the money for me it is a big factor and causing us some stress. I stopped working and so our income is substantially lower as I was the breadwinner before and Dh will likely remain the breadwinner for some time if we do fall pregnant as I dont want the stress of work to jeapordise this in any way. So, we cant really afford as many as 3 x full priced IVFs and I wonder if there are discounts given after the first failed attempt? What does Dr Wael charge for full IVF? I hear what you say Fandrew about simply keeping on top of things with the docs and Ill just carry a note book and write it all down every time to remind and others. Thanks again and much luck to us all !

[As for your DHs sperm they will do something called IXI (?) which is basically spin your DHs sperm to collect only the good swimmers in concentration for your possible fertilization. Hope that is helpful! edited by fandrew on 06/06/2012 Hi Ladies :) Just wanted to shed some light on (ICSI) They pronounce it (ixi), there are 2 different procedures when it comes to fertilizing the eggs -in both procedures the sperms are spinned to collect the best quality ones- the first is the normal IVF procedure, after spinning they place the sperms and eggs in a climate control tube and the sperms fertilizes the egg on it's own, this is risky when the sperms motility is not good, the secound procedure is ICSI and in this case they first choose the best sperms then by using a tiny needle inject the sperm inside the egg so it's fertilized, this is used for those who have slow motility sperms. Hope this info helps :) it's a combination of personal experience and expensive research. MY DH has low motility too Hilsbils, I suggest you meet as much doctors as you can, it is very very important to trust your doctor and feel relaxed when dealing with him...you should not be at piont telling yourself " I wonder why he did this or didn't do that"! you'll know the right doctor for you once you explore all your options. I personally didn't like fakih, nothing personaly but he didn't request for any tests.. You think that after 3 failed IVF cycles he will be investigating a bit more! anyway, Dr. wael did all the possible tests that could be done and I found out that I have Low ovarian reserve, Hince he has put me on meds for 3 month,unlike Dr. fakih who wanted to start right away. I agree that it's a personal thing therefore, It is only you who could decide. Good Luck ladies and baby Dust your way xx <em>edited by Tinker bell on 06/06/2012</em>

Gosh mummabear and fandrew that is very helpful. I like the idea of the natural IVF approach since I am 40 now and although he saw "lovely" eggs on the ultrasound I also know that as we get older quantity is an issue but more so quality of eggs. I didnt know about the natural IVF treatment option and in a way I realise that I need to do lots and lots of research in advance so that I can control things easily from side and keep myself and everyone else up to date with the agreed procedure. I wonder what happens to the shyer ladies who dont speak up? A very interesting point you make about the tests and full scale of the situation only coming to light when doing the actual IVF procedure. Fandrew .... is the natural IVF also 28k and did you have to pay 28k x 3 to date (gulp!) I am 40 now and so tick tock :-) Although I think I am healthier now than I was say 6 years ago. Dhs sperm count is high but has lazy swimmers and so we need a little help. Wonder what we can do to speed up the boys? He did make an ex pregnant some years ago so I hope thats a good sign. Are either of you ladies opting to have the embryos screened before implantation? I wonder about downs syndrome at my age. edited by hilsbils on 06/06/2012 You don't pay up front from what I recall. To be honest I paid for each of my appointments up front but DH took care of the rest so I can ask what the situation was. Natural IVF is, I believe, slightly cheaper because one of the very expensive aspects of full IVF are the drugs which are not really administered in Natural depending on your cycle and how your tests go. 28K is for full, I do not know what natural is but they have a price list and you can call then and check. If i were you, given your age which I feel I can say freely as we are the same age :-), do not wait or walk to the clinic, any clinic, but run! Do not spend time trying to learn everything first and become an endocrinologist on your own time before you start cycling. When I said be your own advocate I meant to remind them about your last visit, or your protocol or to speak up from time to time but do not go in thinking you need to get a degree first in order to have a successful cycle. Time is not on our side. . A few things about natural and mini-IVF. Natural will not produce more than a single egg. As there are no drugs used you will only produce the egg your body would have chosen anyway. This is how the first assisted test tube baby was conceived. Mini-IVF is with lower drugs which may produce more than 1 egg but more like 2 eggs not really more than 3 or 4 (from what I have heard I have not done this) Full IVF is geared to produce multiple eggs and these are the cycles where freezing etc. comes into play. Fakih does pre diagnostic genetic testing on embryos - should your cycle create an embryo - but there is a risk that the test itself will weaken the embryo so that is a decision many people take who are doing full drug cycle and have more than one or two embryos to choose from. As for your DHs sperm they will do something called IXI (?) which is basically spin your DHs sperm to collect only the good swimmers in concentration for your possible fertilization. Hope that is helpful! <em>edited by fandrew on 06/06/2012</em>

Gosh mummabear and fandrew that is very helpful. I like the idea of the natural IVF approach since I am 40 now and although he saw "lovely" eggs on the ultrasound I also know that as we get older quantity is an issue but more so quality of eggs. I didnt know about the natural IVF treatment option and in a way I realise that I need to do lots and lots of research in advance so that I can control things easily from side and keep myself and everyone else up to date with the agreed procedure. I wonder what happens to the shyer ladies who dont speak up? A very interesting point you make about the tests and full scale of the situation only coming to light when doing the actual IVF procedure. Fandrew .... is the natural IVF also 28k and did you have to pay 28k x 3 to date (gulp!) I am 40 now and so tick tock :-) Although I think I am healthier now than I was say 6 years ago. Dhs sperm count is high but has lazy swimmers and so we need a little help. Wonder what we can do to speed up the boys? He did make an ex pregnant some years ago so I hope thats a good sign. Are either of you ladies opting to have the embryos screened before implantation? I wonder about downs syndrome at my age. <em>edited by hilsbils on 06/06/2012</em>

We have only recently embarked on this journey. We went and saw Dr Fakih and all seemed ok, but what is bothering me is that other than an ultrasound and sperm test (both normalish), no other tests were suggested until the IVF would start. I am loathe to hand over 28k and then only discover that my thyroid problem hasnt cleared up or my insulin levels are still way to high etc, and what then? I would prefer a system where I can go for more comprehensive tests done to ascertain the full scope of the situation and[i'> then [/i'>decide on how to proceed. Its only due to my age that IVF is considered "the only option". I also felt that I would have liked to have much more information on the whole process, and perhaps more dialogue, although on the other hand I felt he was very competent and confident in what he does. I would prefer perhaps more tailor made treatment over time which may or may not end up in full IVF or is a gentler form of IVF (which I have read about where only 1 or 2 eggs are retrieved to have quality over quantity) etc. His receptionist told me that in the past few weeks freezing of embryos is no longer permitted in Dubai and if it fails the first time, then we have to redo it all instead of simply use our existing stock. Thinking of going to another doctor ask if there is something between a consultation and full service where I can pay a few sessions of exploration and monitoring and treatment before agreeing to IVF. Perhaps Dr Wael or Pankesh or Munira would be ideal for that? I dont mind going back to Fakih when when or if we decide, but I want more impartial advice at the outset. Have any of the EW ladies had staged / phased treatment that didnt involve the full package and expense right away? If things dont work the first time round, do they charge the full $$ again even if many of the tests have been done? Thanks !! edited by hilsbils on 05/06/2012 Hilsbils I have been working with Dr. Fakih for several months now. We did research and visited DGFC as well but felt very pushed and rushed into full drug IVF treatment with the doctor there and in fact chose Dr. Fakih because he suggested we start with what is called Natural IVF which is minimal to no drugs and often suggested for older women nearing or at and over 40 who will be low responders. I was very pleased that he suggested this and we began, one failed cycle, one successful which resulted in miscarriage and now we are starting again. I will tell you however that once you are on the circus wheel of doing the treatments you will need to very much be on top of your own case. You will be in situations where you are reminding the nurses of dates and what happened an what was decided at your last visit, you may well have to even remind the doctor occasionally of what protocol they decided for you. If you do not actively advocate for yourself it can be overwhelming and confusing an even then confusing. However, after speaking with friends in London and NYC where the best clinics are, this sort of experience is less with Dr. Fakih than it is about how clinics operate in general. Every one of my friends have said they felt they were on an assembly line and had to spend a lot of time reminding each nurse about their case and having more than one discussion with the doctor about the same issue. One last note about the approach to do the IVF first - my friend at Cornell in NYC which I think may lead the world in fertility told me her doctor there told her that all the tests in the world will never be as helpful to a doctor to see what issues there are with fertility than actually running a full IVF course. I am on Natural IVF which you can discuss with Fakih is you like I believe he is one of the only ones who do this routinely here. Good luck!

Hi Hilsbils, Did you ask him to do the blood test for the insulin before you start, we did not hand over the full 28K upfront, it was definitely half first but I cannot remember exactly when that was, I think the beginning of the cycle. They do a range of blood tests on the 2nd day of cycle including FSH level (this has to be done on day 2 of cycle to get the correct results), progesterone, eostrogen and this determines the protocal that they put you on, we did it in the beginning of our IVF cycle on day 2 because we wanted to start straight away, but I am sure that you can do the tests including the insulin one, then start on the following cycle, you just pay for the tests independently and it is not included in the package. Did you also suggest that you wanted the natural IVF too, as I know they do that there? I would suggest that you go and meet with all three and gauge which one you think will support your needs. Maybe pop Dr Fakih an email too with your enquiries to save you going back in. Hope this helps :) MB xxx edited by Mummabear on 06/06/2012 <em>edited by Mummabear on 06/06/2012</em>

We have only recently embarked on this journey. We went and saw Dr Fakih and all seemed ok, but what is bothering me is that other than an ultrasound and sperm test (both normalish), no other tests were suggested until the IVF would start. I am loathe to hand over 28k and then only discover that my thyroid problem hasnt cleared up or my insulin levels are still way to high etc, and what then? I would prefer a system where I can go for more comprehensive tests done to ascertain the full scope of the situation and[i'> then [/i'>decide on how to proceed. Its only due to my age that IVF is considered "the only option". I also felt that I would have liked to have much more information on the whole process, and perhaps more dialogue, although on the other hand I felt he was very competent and confident in what he does. I would prefer perhaps more tailor made treatment over time which may or may not end up in full IVF or is a gentler form of IVF (which I have read about where only 1 or 2 eggs are retrieved to have quality over quantity) etc. His receptionist told me that in the past few weeks freezing of embryos is no longer permitted in Dubai and if it fails the first time, then we have to redo it all instead of simply use our existing stock. Thinking of going to another doctor ask if there is something between a consultation and full service where I can pay a few sessions of exploration and monitoring and treatment before agreeing to IVF. Perhaps Dr Wael or Pankesh or Munira would be ideal for that? I dont mind going back to Fakih when when or if we decide, but I want more impartial advice at the outset. Have any of the EW ladies had staged / phased treatment that didnt involve the full package and expense right away? If things dont work the first time round, do they charge the full $$ again even if many of the tests have been done? Thanks !! <em>edited by hilsbils on 05/06/2012</em>

Hi, I have done IVF three times in the UAE, twice at Conceive in Sharjah which were negative, and now at Dr Fakihs clinic and now I am pregnant with twins through him, everyone is different and has different opinions on the doctors here, so its best to go and see them all and make the decision, we went with Conceive because of all the good reports about them, unfortunately they didnt work for us and we had the same problems on both cycles, when we went to do our third IVF with them the Dr wasnt even going to change anything from the previous cycles or do any tests as to why it didnt work. So we changed to Dr Fakihs, and very glad now that we did. I read a lot of people saying that they dont like the bed side manner of Dr Fakih and he is out to make money etc, TBH, who isnt here, they all are, they are all running businesses not charities, at the end of the day, we wanted somewhere that is the most up to date in procedures, equipment and technology in the clinics, and this is what we found in Dr Fakihs clinic, he is very up to date with all the new IVF stuff. I personally didnt have any problems with the personality of Dr Fakih and thought himself and all of his team to be fabulous, at the end of the day if he and his team can do the job and get you pregnant then thats all that matters. So dont listen to others make your own decision and go on gut feeling, when I was at my lowest after the two failures, I was thinking that I would never get pregnant, my gut feeling was to go with Dr Fakih and I was right. Thats my opinion and hope it helps. MB xxx

Wanted to share this story because this IVF issue is so sensitive and some clinics can do anything just to take money from you... I know a couple who are both young in age but could not get a baby conceived for one year of their marriage so they went to a gov fertility center in the same area of Rashid Hospital. the doctor was so famous and her name was on newspapers, magazines etc. so the doctor after making necessary test told the lady that she had an ovarian cyst and the husband has a very low sperm count that the chances for them to conceive a baby was one out of 1 million. The doctor recommended the lady does a cyst removal surgery first and then they should do the IVF procedure. The lady did the surgery and it was successful after recovery she and her husband started the IVF procedure, collecting sperm and ovaries was done.. Just before the planting is done to the lady, she was pregnant.!!!!! when the husband went back to the doctor and asked her why did she take them all the way with the IVF procedure and take money when they had no major problems, the doctor claimed that the lady has taken many hormones from the IVF procedure so it could happen!!!! okkk but the couple got a second child completely normal after 1 and half years... So pls anyone approaching any clinic for these procedures do take second opinion and do the necessary tests in 2 or 3 clinics.

Point taken, and I had no idea so yes you are correct cannot look a gift horse in the mouth - good luck to you!! Please don't think I'm being flippant but at least you have a (albeit small) choice in the UAE. We have no choice in Qatar - it's Hamad Women's Hospital, take it or leave it! That's an interesting link Daisy16, thank you. We're now in the process of starting a cycle at the Farah Hospital in Amman (my Doc recommended as embryologists are excellent).

Very well said Daisy16 and thanks for the interesting link. I am very happy with where I am having treatment but have 'wobbled' slightly when I see the subjective opinions of others on here about my own clinic and also about the others in the UAE, it can be quite unerving and make you question your choice when you would not have before. Whilst I do not dispute the fact that some of the opinions may be useful, It is a very very personal choice and not a one size fits all situation. The only way to form an opinion is to have the consultations with each doctor research the clinics in line with your circumstances and decide for yourself. Good luck and masses of babydust to everyone :)

Please don't think I'm being flippant but at least you have a (albeit small) choice in the UAE. We have no choice in Qatar - it's Hamad Women's Hospital, take it or leave it! That's an interesting link Daisy16, thank you. We're now in the process of starting a cycle at the Farah Hospital in Amman (my Doc recommended as embryologists are excellent).

Thank you Daisy16. From what we learned after several months was that the problem here in Dubai is lack of choice rather than anything else. There really only seem to be three or four choices here - the govt clinic, Fakih and Conceive in Sharjah anyone have any other information on clinics worth looking at? Gosh or even one or two more to look at :-)