IVF CENTRE DELHI – SCIIVF HOSPITAL
Ms. Pooja writes her experience about her treatment at SCIIVF Hospital, the best IVF Centre Delhi.
Mrs. Pooja writes to us:
I’m Pooja from Punjab and married for 10 years. I got married at the age of 23. I’m the first daughter in my family so everyone was expecting me to tell them the ‘good news’ about my pregnancy but conceiving a baby became a nightmare for me. Our visits to doctors were never ending and I had to swallow a lot of tablets on top of it, the pressure from the family kept me worried.
My husband was very supportive and took me to almost all the fertility clinics and gynecologist around Punjab but none of it worked well for me. Some doctors were very kind and some weren’t. Several scans and numerous reports failed on us instantly. I was suffering from Tube blockage and had also gone through a surgery to remove the tube blockage. But I failed to conceive even after that and tried IUI a couple of times. When we looked back, we had already crossed 7 years of marriage and I had entered into my thirties.
I have read a lot of articles on the internet about the difficulties of conceiving after the age of 30. I was depressed, my husband was worried and we were not able to lead a normal life till we met Dr. Shivani Sachdev Gour . A close friend of mine suggested me to try the famous IVF centre Delhi and out of no hopes we took an appointment with the Dr. Shivani Sachdev Gour .
Today, I feel glad that I met my favorite doctor who helped me to become a mother. Yes, I’m the mother of the one-month-old cute little princess. We have named her Hanvi. I would like to share my experience with the doctor and how fortunate I am to have come across the most approachable, patient and friendly doctor.
I was married at the right age so I couldn’t adjust to the fact that I might be infertile. At a young age, it was too difficult for me to consider myself as infertile. First few years of marriage, we tried to have a baby but later realized that it didn’t work out and there was something genuinely wrong with us. It was already 4 years of our marriage and that is when we started searching for the right doctor to treat us.
We considered references from everyone and went through the endless number of painful tests. We also had our hopes on astrologers and believed their predictions. Followed their instructions, wore different types of strings and pendants. Upon the suggestions of the astrologer, we shifted our house and moved to a new house. And what not, I ate all sorts of powders and medicines and visited every temple.
Our life turned out to be worst and we were desperate in having a baby. I and my husband discussed only treatments and doctors and our outings were planned only to meet the doctor and for sonography scan schedules. Our days passed on by discussion only about my ‘most fertile days’. And finally, the expectations and the hype would come to an end when I got my period. Depression followed me instantly and again the month began with desperate planning with a new doctor.
Having spent almost 7 years in finding out the right doctor, we, fortunately, I heard about IVF centre in Delhi and consulted Dr. Shivani Sachdev Gour . The doctor understood the level of frustration we were going through and energized me. I was suffering from mood swings sometimes extremely high and sometimes extremely low. I was keeping myself away from the outside world and restricted from talking to anyone. The doctor helped me to come out of my difficult situation quite easily and quickly. She is more than a doctor. She understood my mental and physical state and my treatment went well.
About the Clinic:
I should definitely mention about the clinic which was calm, neat and maintained well. The staffs at the clinic were also well behaved and they carried a smile on their face all time. I did not feel like entering a strange place. The nurses, staffs and every employee there did their job perfectly well. The atmosphere at the clinic was very healthy and I no more felt like a patient!
The tests I went through before IVF:
Tests and treatments were never new to me. I had gone through several of them. However, the place where you are being tested matters a lot. To my luck, everything seemed perfect at the IVF centre in Delhi . I was hoping for miracles to happen and eventually agreed to all the basic tests before IVF.
Firstly, my age was not a big concern. Good preconception health is very important for IVF pregnancy. Conditions like diabetes, asthma, and hypertension were analyzed and thankfully I did not have any of these chronic medical conditions. Obesity can result in unsuccessful pregnancy so my ideal weight was checked and the doctor suggested me a weight management program. I was obese and it could have been because of the intake of too many tablets, powers and all. The doctor put me on a month long weight management plan that helped me get back in shape. I had to follow a strict diet and restricted myself from eating canned products, junk food, and chicken. Forgoing my favorite food to get pregnant was not a big deal for me.
Blood test:
My blood group was verified and several screenings were done to check if there were any conditions that could harm my pregnancy. I and the husband were tested for HIV, Syphilis, Hepatitis B, and C. Our genetic health issues were also addressed and previous illnesses like chicken pox, measles was noted.
Ovarian Reserve Testing:
This was done to check the quality of my egg. The doctor told me that due to the age of women, the ability to conceive decreases and there can be an increased case of miscarriage. This test helped to check the quality, quantity, and the potential of the egg.
The level of FSH, LH, and Estradiol: I’m familiar with these terms since I’m used to hearing this over and over again. The follicle stimulation hormone (FSH), Luteinizing (LH) and the level of estradiol are monitored on the 3rd day of the menstrual cycle. This is mainly done to find out the fertility potential.
Anti-Mullerian Hormone test (AMH): This test was done to determine the number of eggs that were remaining. This test can be done anytime during the menstrual cycle.
Uterus: This is a mandatory test before IVF. A sonosalpingography is done. The mock transfer is also done to determine the length and direction of the uterus. This test helps the doctor to analyze the condition of the uterus and improve the success rate of the IVF.
Semen Analysis: Men are lucky as they don’t have to go through physical pain. The semen of the men is analyzed and reviewed. The quality of the sperm helps in successful IVF. I got a green flag there and my husband did have healthy sperms that will result in successful pregnancy.
Every time I visited IVF Centre in Delhi , I was welcome with a warm smile and never felt lost. There have been times where I visited the clinic all alone and I never felt neglected. My silly questions were answered patiently by the receptionist and Dr. Shivani Sachdev Gour was always there to answer my smallest questions.
We are not experts:
Yes, we are not expert but we have to right to understand the procedure and process so you can ask as much as questions to your doctors. IVF centre in Delhi offers different levels of treatment and they provide different solutions to each and every patient.
Here are few questions I asked them
- Do you have individual treatment for each patient?
- Why do you suggest me to go with IVF?
- How do you decide which treatment is best for me?
- What will be the success rate?
- Will there be any complications during my pregnancy?
- What are the risks involved in IVF treatment?
- Can I contact you in the case of emergencies?
- What is the cost of the treatment?
- Will you explain the procedure before the treatment?
How did I prepare for IVF?
It took me 9 years to realize that IVF was meant for me. Husband and I discussed it with Dr. Shivani Sachdev Gour and decided that it will work for us. The doctor helped us understand the process and the procedure and my health was monitored periodically. I remember the doctor repeating her statement over and over again if the IVF is successful, you will be pregnant. This statement of hers was my energy! I was told by the doctor to maintain good health so that the success rate increases.
I was very careful and concentrated on my daily routine. I ate good food and included healthy fruits and vegetables in my diet. This helped me to maintain and support my hormones and my reproductive system. The early stage of development was very crucial and if it is not taken care the right way, it can become stressful. My husband helped me to follow my diet routines and we followed healthy practices to stay fit. I was physically and mentally prepared for the treatment.
IVF procedure:
It was tedious during those days but now I feel happy that I had gone through this procedure. Dr. Shivani Sachdev Gour monitored me closely during the entire process until my childbirth. Her care and encouraging words have helped me to conceive without any complications.
Ovulation: The doctor monitored my ovaries and the timing of the egg release. She made sure my ovaries are producing good quality of eggs and my hormone levels are maintained. I was on medication to balance my hormones.
Egg Retrieval: I experienced mild discomfort but it was completely okay. A thin needle was passed through the vaginal walls and with the use of vaginal ultrasound the fluid was removed. The egg was isolated from the follicular fluid and was transferred to the incubator.
Fertilization: The sperm sample of my husband was secured and the egg was mixed with the most active sperm and was kept in the incubator again. The doctor closely monitored the growth of the embryo (And yes, that was my little princess Hanvi).
Embryo transfer: The final step when the embryo (my little one) was transferred to my uterus and I was on rest for two days.
Dr. Shivani Sachdev Gour was gentle with me and she kept telling me that my eggs were good and the embryo is perfectly fine. She even told me to talk to the embryo. Her confidence passed on some positive energies and the result was positive this time. Had I not gone to IVF centre in Delhi , it would have been a different story. They gave us a meaning to our life and I’m holding my little one who is the gift for our love and relationship.
Apart from the treatment and the tedious wait time, couples like us need a faith and trust the doctors can pass on to us. The confidence just works on the very first meeting with them. Apart from the medical terms, the personal touch of every doctor is very important. We are at an extreme stage of our life in complete depression and the positive words from the doctor keep us energized.
What I liked about IVF centre in Delhi is the way the staffs behave. They understand the needs of every patient and are happy to help us. I was not passed on from counter to counter like a lifeless parcel. I was being guided and told the right thing to do. There was someone to guide and help us throughout the process which eased away from our pain. Their smiling faces bring a lot of happiness. I admired Dr. Shivani Sachdev Gour ’s clarity of speech and her personal care and affection.
During my childbirth:
Throughout my pregnancy, Dr. Shivani Sachdev Gour from IVF centre in Delhi was very helpful. She helped me understand the symptoms and took good care of me. Regular scans and checkups went well without any problem. I came to the clinic when I had mild pain during my 9th month and the doctor came to help me immediately. She insisted that I have a normal delivery and taught me few exercises. And yes, with her advice I was able to deliver my baby through the normal way.
The clinic is very affordable for normal people. The doctors are service minded and will not cost you a bomb. The front desk team is very friendly and you can easily book appointments as per your convenient schedule. Overall I had a great experience here.
How did I feel?
To be frank, my aim was just to get pregnant and my mind was occupied only with the thoughts of pregnancy. The physical pain during the tests and the treatment did not affect me or the husband at all; however, my emotions played a rollercoaster. The treatment is all about waiting. You have to wait for an appointment, wait for results, wait for your name to be called, wait to become pregnant, wait to become a parent and you need to just keep waiting for something good to happen. I was frustrated whenever I had to hear something negative. I was depressed when someone points their finger at me and commented: “I’m childless”.
My husband was my only strength who gave me the complete support and yes, our parents too supported us whenever we needed them. My friends who have already gone through IVF and have experienced their success and failure blessed us with their comforting words and they encouraged us throughout our treatment and the tough journey. I felt nice talking to my friends who have already gone through the same process. It made some sense to talk with someone who really did understand what I was referring to.
Husband and me: How was our relationship?
The problem of infertility cannot be managed alone! It is a problem that needs to be faced as a couple and my husband took extraordinary care of me. For the past 9 years, I had shed tears all time when he would come back home with the result of blood test and the not-so-good scan reports. He consoled me, stayed with me throughout the procedure. He was with me whenever I needed him. We discuss a lot about treatment and the procedure and he appreciates me whenever I feel low. We shared our emotions and managed it so well and it also helped us to strengthen our relationships. Our relationship got stronger as we faced the difficult times of our life together. We did not take quick decisions but discussed before deciding on anything.
Life lessons learnt
Our lives cannot be predicted and it chooses unusual ways to teach lessons. Infertility is one such kind. As a woman, I have become stronger and healthier. I am able to look after myself and concentrate on my health along with my little ones. I have been dreaming of having a baby and in my dreams, I have planned to grow them well. Now, I’m able to execute the plan. I’m able to easily deal with the arrows life throws at me. I’m able to deal with the relationships in a clever way. I have also learned that life teaches us lessons during our difficult times. This has helped me analyze my inner strengths.
My advice:
If I was able to conceive at the age of 33, I’m sure you can all conceive easily. Do not worry about infertility. There are new treatment and procedures that will help you to have a baby.
- Before you go for tests and treatment, learn about the success rate of the clinic and take suggestions and advice from your friends and relatives. Take references from people you know and who have already have experienced the services.
- Ask the doctor about the various treatments and understand how it works. This will help you to stay fit and healthy.
- Learn to deal with your emotions and do not get depressed. Stay strong and live happily. There are a lot of opportunities so look for the best.
- If you have faced multiple failures, talk to Shivani Sachdev Gour from IVF centre Delhi who can give you the best suggestion and also a solution to help you have a child.
I did not realize my health condition till I met Dr. Shivani Sachdev Gour . She helped me understand why I failed to conceive which was not explained to me in the past 9 years. My family is complete now. We are happy and our parents are happy.
Today, holding my little one in my arms, I would like to tell all those couples like us who are not able to conceive the normal way, not to feel bad as we are all special people. Though it is late, we must feel glad that there are opportunities that will make us “happy mothers”!Each time my little one smiles at me, I ask myself “why did I take so long to visit IVF Centre Delhi ?” If I had been to them earlier, miracles would have happened a long time back.