International travellers to HRC

I am a newbie to posting, but have been researching PGD via IG for quite a while now (it is a fantastic site).  Anyway I am hoping to do MS/PGD/IVF in Jan 2010 but need some advice from other international travellers who cycled at HRC.  How long did you need to spend in CA to complete the cycle? I am an Australian living in NZ so would love to hear from fellow Aussies or Kiwis (or anyone else) who have cycled at HRC.  Were you able to do any of the monitoring (ultrasounds, blood tests) for the first part of the cycle in Australia or NZ?  Or did you need to spend the whole time in USA?  How was your experience?  We ideally want to minimise the time away so appreciate any help or advice.  Thanks!! : )

Hi and welcome, you will be hooked on here in no time! Firstly, you will need a consult with HRC and they usually run through their 'standard' Q&A stuff as they have many international patients. They usually ask that you be there a maximum of 2 wks, or at least have that to play with, although I have known of other girls to be there less. You can do most of your monitoring at home, locally, and often HRC can recommend a clinic close to you. If you are doing frozen, your DH can go over at any time. GL and I look forward to following your journey!

Thanks jjn.  We are also considering going to SART in Thailand, but I like the idea of microsort to increase our chances of number of viable girl embryos.  Although Thailand would be cheaper, but unfortunately the number of Australians/NZers getting pregnant there seem low.

We traveled from Eastern Canada to HRC (6 hour flight).  I spent 10 days there, DH and DS spent only 5 days.

I did all my monitoring locally before leaving (except for the last monitoring appointment, which was at HRC).

Coming from AUS/NZ, even though the time difference is great, you will probably arrive in the US on the same day you left AUS (because our timezones are so far behind yours).  Although I would pad a day or two to combat the associated jet lag.  Going back, you will probably arrive in AUS 2 days after you leave the US (eg: if you leave on a Thursday, you will get home on a Saturday).

BTW, you can check out my blog to learn more about logistics planning for remote cyclers.

Good luck!!

GZ

Hi

I'm a new at this too but i am a kiwi who is currently over in CA cycling at HRC.  I had my inital bloods done at home and my first scan there.  The medications were fedex direct to me at home.  It was quiet difficult to find a dr in NZ who would help with the pre bloods etc (i think i went to about 6) but they are out there.  I live in Auckland so if your local I can help you find one.  I will be in CA for about 14 days.

hope this helps

 

Hi Kiwi29,

Thanks so much for your reply.  Great to know there are others going through similar situations.  It is quite difficult to find out information with PGD for gender balancing being banned in Aust and NZ - so advice and help from others on IG is invaluable.  I am in Auckland too so will probably send you a PM if that is OK for more details on what you did.  Good luck with your cycle at HRC!!  I have my fingers crossed for you.

Thanks GreenZelda - I have been keeping uptodate with your blog and it is great.  So pleased you got your girls!!!

Bronte