5/5 Ellie W. 2 years ago on Google
Myself
and
my
partner
first
came
to
Dr
Ali
Al
Chami
and
the
CRGH
team
in
2017.
We
were
very
lucky
to
have
an
NHS-funded
IVF
cycle
and
even
luckier
that
with
the
brilliant
expertise
of
Dr
Ali
and
the
team,
our
IVF/ICSI
cycle
worked
first
time
and
our
son
was
born
in
May
2018.
When
we
decided
to
try
for
another
baby
in
2020,
we
had
no
hesitation
in
returning
to
Dr
Ali
and
CRGH.
With
the
full
Covid
19
lockdown
in
place,
however,
we
had
to
wait
until
June
to
begin
our
treatment.
Being
two
years
older
(I
was
42)
and
with
an
ever
decreasing
egg
reserve,
I
was
nervous
to
say
the
least.
We
were
definitely
feeling
more
pressure
this
time,
in
terms
of
finances
(we
were
no
longer
entitled
to
funded
treatment)
and
time
(both
of
us
were
older
and
because
of
that,
our
chances
of
success
were
slimmer).
Dr
Ali
was
honest
with
us
from
the
start
about
our
chances
but
promised
to
do
everything
he
could
to
give
our
son
a
sibling.
He
recommended
we
do
two
treatment
cycles
back
to
back
(called
batching)
and
also
PGS
(which
screens
any
embryos
for
genetic
abnormalities
before
transfer)
to
maximise
our
chances
of
success.
There's
no
getting
around
the
fact
that
this
was
a
gruelling
six
months
of
treatment,
physically,
emotionally
and
financially.
Dr
Ali
and
CRGH
staff
were
there
every
step
of
the
way,
however,
offering
help
and
advice
and
encouragement.
When
my
first
cycle
yielded
three
eggs
and
two
embryos,
I
was
disappointed
even
though
Dr
Ali
kept
reassuring
me
that
two
embryos
from
three
eggs
was
a
good
result!
For
the
second
cycle,
he
decided
to
change
things
up
and
I
was
given
Clomid
to
take
alongside
the
stimulation
drugs.
It
proved
to
be
an
excellent
call
because
my
second
cycle
yielded
seven
eggs,
six
of
which
were
mature.
Three
fertilised.
Now
we
had
to
wait
to
see
how
many
of
our
five
embryos
made
it
to
day
5
to
be
eligible
for
biopsy
for
the
genetic
screening.
In
the
end,
we
had
two,
which
seemed
so
few
and
I
was
so
worried
that
we'd
end
up
with
nothing
after
all
the
months
of
treatment.
But
Dr
Ali
and
all
the
nurses
and
embryologists
I
spoke
to
kept
telling
me
to
be
positive.
Trying
to
remain
positive
throughout
the
IVF
process
can
be
so
difficult
but
it
definitely
helps
when
your
doctor
and
clinic
staff
are
positive
and
encouraging.
Getting
a
call
from
the
embryologist
to
talk
about
the
results
of
the
genetic
screening
was
probably
the
hardest
phone
call
Ive
ever
taken
-
but
he
had
good
news!
One
of
our
embryos
had
come
back
'normal'
and
so
it
was
full
steam
ahead
for
transfer!
Thankfully,
it
implanted
successfully
and
at
the
age
of
43,
I
find
myself
looking
at
my
three-week
old
son
sleeping
(somewhat
noisily!)
in
his
crib
and
his
three-year-old
brother
playing
with
his
trains
and
cars
and
chatting
away.
I
honestly
cant
express
how
grateful
I
am
to
Dr
Ali
and
all
the
staff
at
CRGH.
If
it
wasnt
for
them,
we
wouldnt
have
our
beautiful
family.
Dr
Ali
wasnt
just
brilliant
in
terms
of
his
medical
expertise
in
master-minding
my
treatment,
he
was
(is!)
a
thoroughly
kind
and
caring
doctor
for
whom
nothing
was
too
much
trouble
and
who
was
so
considerate
and
patient
whenever
I
had
any
questions
or
was
upset
or
disappointed
about
anything.
I
can
honestly
say
he
was
the
absolute
best.
I
cant
recommend
him
and
team
CRGH
enough
and
thank
them
from
the
bottom
of
my
heart
for
the
amazing
things
they
have
done
for
me
and
my
family.
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