Manuela's experience

We had a treatment in Turkey and we really wanted to share our experience in Turkey with you. I'd already had 4 ICSI treatments before this. We wanted to do our 5th ICSI treatment in Turkey. We'd heard through the grapevine that there was a site: www.humanfirstivf.nl. After we'd read through everything properly about what the options were, we sent an email asking how we could go about arranging things further. The same day I got an email back, and I had to send in all the papers I'd received in the Netherlands from those 4 ICSI treatments. Everything else was arranged by Human First, such as hotel, clinic, hostess, tickets, and so on. Human First had sent all my papers to the doctor in Turkey and we were told we could come for the 5th ICSI.

First I had to start with the pill for planning purposes.

On 09-08-2006 was the last pill I had to take.

On 10-08-2006 I had to start with the Decapeptyl.

On 14-08-2006 I got my period and could start with the Puregon.

Meanwhile everything is arranged by Human First. I pass it on to them and they in turn to the doctor in Turkey, and then we hear back from them what the doctor said and how we're going to arrange things.

19-08-2006

The time had come to go to Turkey and fly out. Everything went fine. We were picked up from the airport and taken to our hotel. It was a super hotel, I had a jacuzzi in my room, oh how lovely that was to relax in.

21-08-2006

We had an appointment at the hospital, the ultrasound was done and it looked good.

The clinic was so hygienic and luxurious and they were so very sweet.

22-08-2006

The next day I was back at the luxury hospital, I still had to continue injecting the Decapeptyl and Puregon.

23-08-2006

The ultrasound showed the follicles were big enough and I only had to inject Decapeptyl that day. So at 7:00 PM, no Puregon added. At 9:00 PM the Pregnyl had to be injected.

24-08-2006

No more medication.

25-08-2006

At 8:00 AM I had to be present for the egg retrieval, which would be done at 8:45. In the meantime I got the anesthesia, which made me groggy. The retrieval went really well. I've never experienced such a hygienic clinic. The nurses all wore an apron and a cap on their head and a mask over their mouth, honestly, really hygienic. 17 eggs were found. After the retrieval I was allowed to rest for a couple of hours; meanwhile my husband had to submit his sperm sample at the same clinic. That result was also sufficient for ICSI. I got a big breakfast in my room and it was really nice.

I also got various medications, including antibiotics, progesterone pessaries and patches (Oestradiol patches) that I had to use. I got two patches on my buttock which I had to replace after a week, so two weeks total of those patches on my buttock. The other medications I had to use on the day of the retrieval. 1 in the morning and 1 in the evening. The progesterone pessaries I had to insert vaginally 2 in the morning, 2 in the afternoon and 2 in the evening. In 3 days we'd get a call about the transfer.

28-08-2006

Of those 17 eggs, 13 were suitable for ICSI and 9 of them were fertilized (divided). That was wonderful to hear. We were allowed to come back that day for the transfer. The doctor said they were really beautiful embryos of perfect quality, and he said this could well be it. 3 embryos were transferred back. They were pricked with laser so they could implant better (Assisted Hatching). I had to stay lying down in the hospital for about 3 to 4 hours with my legs slightly raised, it was nice, I had a TV in my room and we again got a nice dinner in my room. Everything was explained and arranged really well, and if I had a question it was also answered very kindly.

29-08-2006

2 exciting weeks could begin. I hardly did anything except lie down, and whenever we were hungry we went out to eat something nice. There are so many restaurants there where you can eat well.

30-08-2006

Today we had a nice walk and did some shopping.

31-08-2006

Today I had to take the last medications, and on 01-09-2006 I replaced the patch.

04-09-2006

It was time to go back to the Netherlands. Already a week of those 2 exciting weeks had passed. In total I was in Turkey for 16 days. It was really wonderful there, because you could really enjoy yourself and there's so much to see and do there. Not having to think about anything, no groceries, no cleaning and no work. Just doing whatever you feel like.

08-09-2006

On 11-09 I'd be allowed to do a test, but I couldn't wait. Today I called the GP to ask if I could come do a test, she said "Yes, come on over." I handed in the urine sample and had to wait a bit in the waiting room. I was called in, and sure enough: "Ma'am, you're pregnant!" I said "No, really??" "Yes ma'am, look, there are 2 lines!"

Oh how happy I was! I went straight home and my husband was still lying in bed, or at least pretending to still be asleep. I said: "Wake up, yes, I'm pregnant!" The tears started rolling down our faces. I called Human First and she was really happy too, she passed it on to the doctor in Turkey and I got a call back from the doctor in Turkey to congratulate me. I still had to do an HCG test on Monday, 11-09, and on Wednesday 13-09 they'd call me with the HCG result.

13-09-2006

I got the result of the HCG test in, and it was 304 u/liter, which was good, and I have an ultrasound on 2-10-2006!!

Women over 40 also come to that clinic (the age limit is 42 years); when we were at the clinic, there were many couples there for a first treatment that worked right away. There was also a woman who had twins, and oh how happy she was, and another woman around 40 years old who also got pregnant, on her second transfer.

Really, everything is arranged for you; if you think the language will be difficult, no problem, you get a hostess for that, who is always with you and goes with you to the clinic.

I wish everyone lots of luck and strength!

Warm regards from Manuella (you can also read Manuela's story on www.Stilverlangen.com)

This story was translated from Dutch by our team. Read the original Dutch version →