Bidding Goodbye to Nova Delhi after 2 more failed Day-5 Blastocyst Transfer

After the failed Fresh Embryo Transfer (ET), Dr. Nalini Mahajan planned a Day-5 Blastocyst Transfer in the next cycle, under the same conditions as that of ERA.

There was a delay between ERA and next transfer because of two reasons: 1) OHSS and 2) either skipping a single dose of Estrogen substitute tablet on my behalf or a malfunction of some medicine, which caused untimely bleeding.

Also, during the Stimulation Process for Oocyte Pick-Up (OPU), I felt I had OHSS symptoms. Although, nobody at Nova Delhi agreed to me, but the internet said it all. I agree that not all information on internet is 100% correct but feeling like a bloated lower abdominal area made me look pregnant and the fullness inside gave me the idea how carrying a baby inside would be like.

Ovarian HyperStimulation Syndrome (OHSS) occurs only after the eggs are released from the ovary (either after ovulation or by receiving a shot of Human Chorionic Gonadotropin (hCG)).

So, the body needed time to get back to normal before proceeding with the next transfer.

Two Day-5 Blastocysts were transferred in Mar'15, but even that didn't work in our favour. A Blastocyst transfer is supposed to have better Success Rates than Fresh or Frozen Embryo transfers. I was waiting to get lucky with my next cycle then, last cycle at Nova Delhi as I was left with just Two more Day-5 Blastocysts. Trust me, all of them were mostly Grade-A, and few were Grade-B. I guess, what matters is "The Right Time". At that point in time, mine seemed far away. We were losing hope with each failed cycle.

The next cycle (3rd transfer at Nova Delhi, under Dr. Nalini Mahajan) was also a Two Day-5 Blastocysts transfer. This was done in the consecutive month, Apr'15, sadly, my beans didn't stick this time also.

I didn't want to start afresh and try another IVF cycle at Nova Delhi, even though Dr. Mahajan was quite experienced and knowledgeable. Somehow, I felt something was missing. That pushed me to get back to Bangalore and try my luck with Nova Bangalore.

I had read a lot about Nova's Success Rates being exceptionally good, hence the decision to visit Nova Bangalore.

All this might seem pretty casual but trust me, when you are going through all this, your body takes a lot of foreign particles inside and your brain works overtime. All you need to do is keep your cool and stay happy... because if mind isn't healthy, body can never be healthy. My DH gave his best in keeping me away from worries, tensions, tears and fears.

Zeroing in on a clinic in Delhi

Delhi, the capital of India, has a gamut of opportunities for everyone. I, being a patient seeking help of a fertility expert, contacted many fertility clinics telling my case history to a few junior doctors over the phone or emailing it to the head of their department. I got positive response from two, Sir Ganga Ram Hospital (SGRH) and Nova IVI Fertility Clinic (Nova). At SGRH, I had direct contact of the senior doctor; she asked me to call her the moment I reach Delhi. At Nova, I had built a good rapport with the receptionist; she not only made to talk to the Director of the clinic, but also book an appointment for me one month in advance.

I wanted to setup everything before setting off to Delhi, as I had to stay with close relatives and causing them least troubles. I called SGRH doctor but she had quit SGRH and had joined a private practice. That didn’t sound like a good idea to me, as I contacted her because of SGRH’s history of FIRST IVF Baby in North India. Since the brand name attached to her got dropped, I chose Nova over her.

In Oct’14, I decided to try my luck at Nova IVI Fertility (Opp. St. Thomas Church, Africa Avenue, R K Puram Sector-2, Block B-2, Safdarjung Enclave, New Delhi). I registered myself as a New Patient and after physical examination, I then met Dr. Nalini Mahajan, Director of Clinic. After understanding the case, she advised a few tests to be done before I met her next. I called my DH for the next appointment.