I recently visited ARGC the clinic with the highest IVF success rates in the UK. Months of research led me to the clinic and as much as I have resisted due to the distance, intensity of treatment, and of course, cost I decided it was time to visit. After two failed IVF cycles and an increasing lack of confidence in my previous clinic – not because they are not good, but because they are more geared towards helping more standard fertility issues.
Much has been written about ARGC and the internet forums are packed full of ladies who are either eagerly awaiting treatment, are mid treatment or have had successful treatment at the clinic. They have a prestigious reputation and their tailored IVF approach is certainly not for the feint hearted.
Of course none of this comes cheap and for each cycle you are looking at paying upwards of £10k, particularly if, like me, you may have an autoimmune component. I am under no illusion that an ARGC cycle will be very expensive.
The clinic itself is certainly not the swanky set up you may expect. Various celebrities are known to have had IVF cycles at ARGC including Rod Stewart and Penny Lancaster, so you would be forgiven for thinking it would be all sparkling and new with doctors to hold your hand through the whole process. But behind the blue scrubs are a team of people dedicated to the end goal of giving their patients a baby. Couples who are at the end of the road and after numerous failed attempts are given fresh hope by the team at ARGC.
The doctor we met was no exception and his straight talking, matter of fact approach immediately made me sit up and take notice. They say immune issues are likely to be my problem and this came as no surprise due to my history of previous infection and known problems with endometriosis and hypothyroidism.
But the thing that impressed me most about ARGC was the monitoring they are able to offer post embryo transfer. This is the most crucial time for me and when the problems seem to start. On both IVF cycles I have bled before official test day and on my last cycle, despite taking steroids and gestone injections, I bled even earlier.
The promise of extra tests and monitoring really appealed to me and although I was also very impressed with Care Nottingham – and believe me they are much easier to get to than ARGC, I can’t help but lean towards ARGC now. I need someone who can really help my individual case and more importantly I need to find someone I have confidence in.
Have you been a patient at ARGC? Have you visited the clinic?
Like me, are you on journey to find someone who can offer help for your complex needs?
For now I will continue on my journey of research but its looking very much like ARGC will be the clinic for me.
To view more about ARGC and their success rates click here!
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