I had the most incredible experience with my IVF journey with Dr Nick at Embryoland. My partner and I went in November 2017. We have been trying for 13 years went through every fertility test there was in London UK. No one could explain why I couldn't fall pregnant. I found Dr Nikos Kanakas online I didn't search for long, to be honest, we made a decision within 5 mins just from his picture LoL. We knew he was the one, "the miracle man", he had a face we wanted to go see. Well within 20 mins we had emailed him and he had set up a Skype call. The ball was rolling, we have never got this far, even thinking it could happen, we could finally have the family we have always wanted!
After the most reassuring conversation, not like one of them stressful Doctors appointments, your waiting for. It was so relaxed he asked us for our basic medical history and there were some tests we had to do over here in the UK. Seamen test, both of us had to have Sexual Health checks, blood tests etc. Send the results to him so he can see his end whats up and work out a plan to increase your chances. He is so honest and made us feel like he had got this in his hands.
We booked in for the following month, he worked out what medication I need, when to be out there and we were off!!
A week later the medication arrived. I did my injections at home for 3 days, then the 4th day he wanted to see us in the clinic in Greece. We stayed in an air B&B, 5 mins from the clinic for £15 a night. You don't need a fancy hotel you just want your own space when your doped up on hormones. The food was great we had a patisserie shop next to us, lots of restaurants and take away shops that are so cheap. All the fresh food helps so much when you're going through this, you need all the nutrients u can get! Next thing you know were at the clinic it's all happening so fast. We were met by the lovely ladies at reception one girl Maria who did all my injections and looked after me, I love her shes so nice they all make you feel so relaxed. It is more like a loving family than a Doctors office, they want it to work for you just as much as you are praying it does.
The Clinic is spotless and is on 2 floors. Your consultation is on the top floor and the surgery is below. We had our 1st appointment with Dr Nick, went into his room he gave us a big hug and got down to it. I had a Doppler inserted and it showed up on a screen exactly why I couldn't get pregnant. 13 years of not knowing all the investigations, I had been told its unexplained. The real reason why I could not fall pregnant was that I had a Hydrosalpinx. He told me in 10 mins what "Fertility Specialist" could not explain for 10 years. I couldn't believe it when I had my appendix out when I was 13 the surgeon butchered me thank you NHS. This is why I never bothered trying the free fertility over here in the UK. I believe they fail people on purpose. I didn't even wanna put myself through it, thank God we found Dr Nick!
So after that consultation, he was like yes I can do this, we'll make it happen and he did! We stayed for 10 days and did a 3-day transfer. During that time we saw Athens, popped in and out of the clinic for the injections and they monitor you because you do feel shitty. All hormones up, they take blood on site so they know exactly how your ovaries are doing. Once the eggs get to where he wants them, they book you in and your eggs are harvested. Your put to sleep and you wake up with period feeling pains. It is nothing us women haven't dealt with before. The pain is totally bearable but you do just wanna go back to bed to rest after 3 days your back in clinic. You can do a 5-day transfer that's more likely to take. So I recommend that in hindsight. I did not do my research about that, it increases your chances a lot so stay longer ladies. Not that a 3-day won't work because of look at me!
For extra peace of mind stay longer, It will increase your chances. So finally 3 days pass, the day comes when 2 eggs get put back in. It is so exciting you gotta stay positive don't let any negative thoughts come in, stay in the baby vibe yours in good hands. You go into surgery there's a huge TV screen on the wall and you can see your eggs going into your womb. They're like little balls of light it is incredible. Dr Nick talks you through the whole procedure it does not take long at all. You see your little babies being placed into there. Time to go home and all you feel is relived in a way that this parts over but no one tells you about the 2-week wait. The wait you have to go through before you find out if it worked. We flew home the same day we should have stayed longer really as you just want to rest but I was scared to pee in case they fell out. We got home and time feels like it just stops. During the 2 week wait, I just rested and stayed positive. I couldn't wait so I did a test early and it was negative. I felt a bit defeated but my husbands said to try again when you were meant to take the test. I couldn't wait because I'm so impatient I got a negative reading.
On the 11th December at 11.11am, I did the test and it was positive. First positive test I've ever had in my life! To see it say 1-2 weeks pregnant my heart dropped, I froze and just wanted to tell everyone. We phoned Dr Nick straight away, the excitement we got from him and the girls at clinic was overwhelming. We can't thank them enough! We are so happy I'm 23 weeks now with a little girl due in August. The time is going so fast, she is perfectly healthy all tests come back positive. Embryoland, Dr Nick and the girls we love you so much, can't wait to come out and visit soon as she's here. Miracles do happen and sometimes you have to go with your gut. I'm sitting here now being kicked in the ribs by little twinkle toes feeling blessed. Thank you so much again and make the call, if u want a baby, call him if he can make it happen believe me he will! Good luck, God bless Sophie & Sam!