First class IVF treatment in Norway

Treatment: In-vitro fertilisation (IVF)
Provider: Klinikk Hausken
Date: Sep 2015

After knowing they would not be able to conceive naturally, Mike and Sarah began exploring other options to start a family. After being impressed by Dr Hausken at the Fertility Show, the couple went ahead to undergo IVF treatment at Klinikk Hausken fertility clinic in Norway. Here, Sarah tells her story.

"Like many couples seeking help to start a family we began researching the different options available to us and found it all a little overwhelming as there were so many options and clinics apparently offering us the answer to becoming parents. What was the right answer, did we need all these extra treatments, is treatment abroad safe? What would it all cost? The questions and possibilities seemed endless.

Prior to getting married in 2011 we were aware that a natural pregnancy was not possible due to Mike having had a vasectomy many years ago, before we met one another. We sought advice from our GP who explained a reversal was unlikely to be successful given the length time since the vasectomy and scarring on the tubes.

NHS funded treatment

We approached the NHS for Funded IVF treatment, but were turned down due to Mikes vasectomy being deemed a lifestyle choice. We attempted to appeal this decision based on the fact Mike made it due to having 3 great step children and his ex partners difficulties with conceptive options, this appeal was unsuccessful which was disappointing, but we accepted that the NHS has limited funds and cannot support everyone.

The next step

Mike and I began researching different IVF clinics around the UK and in Europe, there were just so many to choose from and what exactly did we need, in theory the only problem was his vasectomy, the rest should be straightforward hey!. With so many questions and treatment options we decided to head to the Fertility Show in London. Mike was working that weekend so I headed there on my own, (my Mum joined me for the second day).

The Fertility Show London

Its an experience that I cannot really compare to, all these clinics all these options, where do I start?  After meeting a number of clinics I quickly found the treatment plan appeared similar at most clinics  for Mike and I, so which one did I feel most comfortable with, which clinic appeared to offer the treatment and support we wanted, what were the costs?. I listened to a talk by Dr Jon Hausken from Klinikk Hausken regarding treatment abroad, I had not visited this stand yet but was happy to consider this, we soon realised this was a clinic to meet, they offered the treatment we needed in a country with strict protocols regarding health treatment, his professionalism, knowledge and passion for IVF treatment shone through.

We met Dr Hausken and Camilla (Customer and Admin Manager) at their stand and they provided us with guidance on the treatment they offer and the differences between their clinic and many others, although cost is not everything it has to be a factor in the decision, with this clinic we would be able to afford more attempts and treatment processes like the embryo scope (time lapsing was included in the cost). I felt comfortable chatting to the clinic, I did not feel like they were trying to sell me a service in the same way as some other clinics and felt reassured that the costs appeared clear unlike some clinics which seemed to add different costs on.

After the show Mike and I spent time looking through the information I had brought home, we narrowed the options down to a handful in England and Europe which we felt most comfortable with, but in our hearts we felt Norway was the place for us.

Klinikk Hausken offered a free skype consultation, wow I have never been so nervous waiting for a skype call, did the house look ok? What did we need to wear? Ok reality check this was not the focus. After a few laps around the lounge and Mike calling me to sit down Dr Hausken called on time as promised. We talked through the options and best treatment plans.

The Skype consultation took all our worries away and treatment would start the following month (as we wanted to start sooner rather than later, due to our age gap and not wanting Mike to be too old if we were lucky enough to have a family). Following this consultation we had another skype consultation with Nurse Elise who talked us through the pre-treatment plan.

5 weeks later we flew out to Norway, we chose to spend 10 days out there rather than the 7 needed as we wanted to make this a holiday as well as a trip for IVF treatment. At the initial scan we found I had reacted to the pre-treatment more than expected and appeared over stimulated. The egg collection went well and as the clinic quickly told us for reassurance they “had found a sperm”, which we still find funny to this day. After the clinic weaving its magic we had plenty of fertilised eggs which eventually whittled down to become 3 grade A embryos, you try to remind yourself not to get too carried away but its hard, already things were far better than we could ever have hoped.

Shortly after the embryo transfer I began feeling quite unwell but assumed this was normal, but the clinic who were monitoring me confirmed this was not normal as I was experiencing quite severe OHSS and they provided further treatment to make this better.

After the 2WW and many chats about potentially being pregnancy, we found out that this attempt had been unsuccessful. Although we had tried to remain pragmatic it still felt heart-breaking that this attempt had not worked. Although it was just a tiny embryo, you still feel a little like you lost this little life. However we had so much to be positive about, through the clinics help we know knew we were able to find eggs and sperm and that embryos would be possible and better still we had two embryos left that had been frozen.

A few months later we headed back to the Norway for a frozen transfer, it felt like going home. Seeing the staff again was lovely, they were always so welcoming and caring. Due to having a frozen transfer we had plenty of time to see Norway, to see the stunning scenery which is literally breath-taking. We visited a number of the local towns like Bergen and Stavanger, we also visited Langfoss (amazing waterfall), shortly after Langfoss the scenery changed from sunshine and waterfalls to a land covered in snow. The combination of the treatment going well and the scenery made for a perfect holiday and we came back from Norway relaxed and chilled, not the words I often here when talking to people about IVF treatment.

Again after the 2WW we had another negative result, this result was not as hard as the first but still disappointing.

Starting again

We had another skype consultation with Dr Hausken who had identified a few problems I have. It had been confirmed I do have PCOS, am prone to OHSS, like to hoard my eggs and not ovulate each month and appear to be a little insulin resistant. Dr Hausken explained that due to knowing this a different treatment plan would be better, which I started ready for our third trip to Norway in September 2015.

Things looked better this time, the egg collection and sperm extraction went well and again we had 3 embryos; one was chosen to transfer and the other two frozen.

We never considered approaching another clinic as we were both so impressed with Klinikk Hauskens person centered approach, we felt safe and valued with them.

After the treatment we were given the pregnancy test date, 22nd of September 2015. This day was really significant to Mike and I, it was exactly a year ago on that date that his Mum Carmel had passed away. Was this a good sign we thought so?

We decided not to test early as the date was too important, the day came it was either going to be an even harder day or a real circle of life moment. Thankfully we had a positive pregnancy result (the first test we were unsure as was the line really there so did a second one on way to work which clearly stated pregnant- woohoo!).

On the 15th October 2015 we had our 7 week scan, for us this was the moment to really confirm everything was ok, it was magical hearing that our embryo (kindly named KP-Kevin Pickle by a friend) was in the right place and then seeing its very tiny heart beating.  We now have a very precious picture of our little 7 week embryo, which is giving us excitement and joy before he/she is born.

There have been some ups and downs through the journey, but looking back over the last year since the show we realise how special each moment has been and can honestly say we would not have changed a thing. Had the NHS not declined our request we would never have met such amazing staff at Klinikk Hausken and would not have had these trips to Norway which have made it a second home or met other patients who will hopefully be lifelong friends.

Is it the last trip to Norway? Not a chance without a doubt Norway will always be important to us and will hopefully be the place that we take KP back to in the future. "