May 25, 2021
“Every aspect of this journey is difficult - what will get you through it is the staff at Harley Street.”
When our patients start their fertility journeys with us, they usually picture themselves with their new families in the not-too-distant future. Of course, this is not always the case, and sometimes the journeys are long, tiring and unsuccessful. However, what's important to remember is that once our patients become part of the HSFC family, they will always be part of the HSFC family, no matter what.
We caught up with our patients Ceri and Rob, who had twins Mollie and Evie 8 years ago. After being diagnosed with PCOS (polycystic ovary syndrome), Ceri came to Harley Street Fertility Clinic after a 7-year fertility journey with the NHS.
Finding HSFC
HSFC was recommended to Ceri and Rob by their neighbour who had been to one of our open evenings. Ceri admits: “We were thinking, it’s on Harley Street in London so we could never afford it”. Nonetheless, the couple decided to attend another open evening event, and after meeting the staff, seeing the facilities and hearing the talks, they decided to start their incredible IVF journey with us.
The Start Of The Treatment Process
The couple started their treatment in June 2013. Unfortunately, the first cycle was not successful, and the dreaded phone call arrived.
Ceri says: “When I heard, ‘sorry, the treatment didn’t work’ I was in central London, and just stood there in shock. I wanted to be in my bed, under my duvet, crying my eyes out, but I was there, in central London, a long way from home. It sounds selfish but that part was the worst part of the first treatment, the train journey between being told the treatment didn’t work and getting home." She continues: “People were staring at me as I was sobbing, it was just awful.”
Ceri and Rob had a follow-up meeting with Dr Venkat, and the team at the clinic decided to investigate the problem. Ceri had then her blood tested for 'Natural Killer Cells' which may have been the explanation for her failed treatment. The results showed elevated levels of these Natural Killer Cells - Dr Venkat then declared confidently that they knew what the problem was.
Second Time Lucky: The Successful IVF Cycle
For the second IVF cycle, Ceri and Rob tried everything that was recommended to them, which included intralipids. "We said we’ll do anything to make it work... and it worked! We have 2 wild and crazy daughters, Mollie and Evie.”
Ceri admits that “IVF is terrible for a woman who doesn’t like needles,” but is quick to mention Isabelle, a nurse who made a real impression. “IVF is a truly difficult and emotional journey, but without her it would have been even more difficult. I loved that nurse, she was fabulous. I don’t know what I would have done without her.”
Advice For Others
Ceri tells us that getting over the first round of IVF not working with Harley Street was the hardest part of it all, but that there were also other challenges down the line.
“The whole infertility, IVF and fertility journey is hard, and so scary, but try it and go for it. Our advice is – it doesn’t matter what you need to do or what questions you need to ask - it will never NOT be scary. You have to ask questions, you have to put yourself out there. We paid for the entire thing on credit cards – we sometimes laugh and say we paid the girls off so we owe them. They were 4 years old when we finished paying.”
Rob continues: “It’s not easy, you just have to do it. Asking the really difficult questions, going through this journey, telling your family... every aspect of this journey is difficult. What will get you through it, is the staff at Harley Street."
Continuity Of Care At Harley Street: A Word About Dr Venkat
“There are no words to describe Dr Venkat,” says Ceri. She recalls the first consultation, when she told Dr Venkat that her infertility was her fault because she had PCOS.
"I remember Dr Venkat looked at me and she said: ‘You are not the problem, and we are going to sort this out.’ And I said, ‘I believe you. I believe you are. I believe you are going to do this’. And she did.. You trust her. You don’t have to be with her long to know that she is somebody you want with you when you are doing this.”
Ceri says: “IVF is insanely difficult. But even if it doesn’t work, you’ll be loved and you’ll be looked after at Harley Street Fertility Clinic. You won’t get that anywhere else”.
Ceri and Rob finish their interview with a heart-warming statement, while the girls, Mollie and Evie, are giggling in the background. “We are very grateful, and we are very happy! We’ll never, ever forget what Dr Venkat and the team did for us.”
To start your fertility journey with us, you can take the first step today by calling us on 02074366838 or emailing us at info@hsfc.org.uk.
To see all our treatment options, please visit this page.
These are all the train tickets for Ceri and Rob's fertility journey that led them to Evie and Mollie
