CARE Fertility Tunbridge Wells

I had three cycles of ivf at care Tunbridge Wells (aged 37 years when started, AMH of 1.4, trying to conceive 3 years, ectopic pregnancy Jan 2019, one child already). Our first round of Ivf was during the first covid lockdown. I had already stimmed and heard nothing from the team re a plan but accepted it was unusual times. I went along to my first scan and was told the round would be freeze all. Between my initial appointment with the doctor and starting my first round, my AMH result came back but no one discussed the low result and the very slim chance of actually having any embryos to freeze). This was my first round and I wasnt given any other option but to go ahead. Whilst 2 eggs fertilised and one to blastocyst it was not good enough to freeze and was discarded. This was a pointless round and despite it being unusual circumstances, no refund/partial refund was offered (this round cost me 6K)-after much chasing I was eventually refunded 1K. The second round was as predicted although the treatment protocol was not adapted at all from the first. Still no one discussed what my low AMH results mean. The third round was a disaster as half the follicles had already ruptured by the time of egg collection. This was supposed to be a mild stimulation round with clomid but this actually ended up costing the same in medication as previous rounds. When we embarked on IVF, we were given odds of 40%. During my third round a Nurse mentioned they had seen one previous success with AMH as low as mine. I then spoke to an independent doctor who confirmed the odds per round for my AMH levels are at most 5%. To be honest I wish the clinic had been honest about this from the beginning as well as the low chance of having anything to freeze so we could make informed choices. I know we have a responsibility to research this ourselves but its very difficult to find out this information. We both agree that we were led to believe we had a good chance with IVF at the beginning (we were told 40% per round at our initial consultant with the doctor and this was not revised once my AMH results came in). Also on 3 occasions, when I contacted the doctor via email she did not even reply. Ive spent over 17K and the doctor cant even reply to an email. To be honest my husband and I find this very unsatisfactory. Despite having had two failed embryo transfers of good grade embryos, Ive never been offered any tests/mock cycle. I think we only stuck with the clinic as it was during covid restrictions and was local. We moved to another clinic and it was so refreshing. They did mock cycles and gave me medication to thicken lining. We are now pregnant. I think in reality care fertility would never advise you to stop as making money is very obviously the primary focus. Anyone who does proceed with low AMH needs to try to have a clear picture of how many rounds they are willing to fund/go through and also needs to research from the outset about the odds (it is really hard to find this information online but some clinics will be much more upfront about this). Care fertility were all round disappointing. Update- re the response from Care below, I did write a complaint regarding our experience, but never reached a satisfactory resolution with Care. No one from Care has contacted me since.
May 11th, 2022

SARAH LYNCH is an angel sent from above. She is the exact type of person you need when suffering with fertility issues. She is empathetic and compassionate but still manages your expectations, just in a diplomatic and calm way. She is by far the best person within a healthcare setting I have ever dealt with. I cannot put into words how settled and comfortable she made my husband and I feel. Ive had issues at care fertility but she improved my whole experience from the day I met her.
Mar 30th, 2023

I have been waiting to get contacted since 12th of December but still they have no idea about me even I have registered . Very bad service and back breaking situation for me to wait . And I dont know what I have to do more
Feb 13th, 2023

Feb 3rd, 2023

Since the first time I picked up the phone to Care Tunbridge Wells, they have been extremely caring, patient and mapped out the best medical plan for myself and my partner. I was told I had a low egg count and I may get 1-2 embryos the most, I ended up with 4 fantastic embryos at a high grading, with no side effects from the medication. We sadly wasnt successful on our first cycle but we already have a plan for our second cycle with a frozen transfer by Dr Shahin Robati, who we cant thank enough. Our embryologist Susanne at Tunbridge Wells was fantastic, she did a brilliant job with our embryos and even gave one of them an additional day, which needed up making the final 4. She talked up through everything and made myself and Pete feel at ease and was supportive in our journey. I wouldnt want any other fertility clinic looking after us both throughout this journey . Thank you from Hayley and Pete
Mar 30th, 2023