SPONSORED: So you’ve decided you’re ready to have a child but you have no idea where to start.
Whilst there is a wealth of information available online not all of it will apply to your own unique situation. How do you know which is the right fertility clinic for you to choose?
Kimberley Bryon-Dodd from The London Women’s Clinic suggests questions that will help you feel fully informed.
1. What are the success rates for IVF/IUI?
Whilst this is just one factor to consider, the success rates can help you get an idea about your chances of conceiving.
The Human Fertility and Embryology Authority will have the latest figures for all licensed clinics in the UK. They are broken down into different categories such as number of live births, number of pregnancies and some will be based on cumulative cycles.
Remember that they are also age dependent with younger age groups having higher success rates.
2. Do you tailor treatment to each individual patient?
You will have your own unique circumstances and your own criteria that are important to you. Do you want all the added extras or would you prefer an individualized treatment approach based on your needs?
3. What support will I/we be given?
Having treatment can be a stressful process and many patients find that they go through a whole range of emotions. Will you get help making lifestyle changes, counseling or a support group where there are other people in a similar situation to yourself?
The London Women’s Clinic runs a monthly support group that is open to both patients and non-patients, It is a diverse and friendly group that is well-attended by lesbian couples and gay men.
4. How long is the wait for donor sperm/eggs?
Fertility treatment can be a stressful process and once you have decided on a treatment route it can be frustrating to wait months to find a donor that matches your requirements.
Whilst it used to be the case that there was a shortage of donors in the UK thankfully now there is often no problem finding a suitable British donor. The London Women’s Clinic’s partnership with the London Sperm Bank and the London Egg Bank means that there is no wait for a donor for our patients.
With a wide selection of donors from different backgrounds available at any one time it should be easy to choose a donor without a long wait to start treatment.
5. How close to home is the clinic?
It is likely that you will need to visit the clinic regularly whilst you are receiving treatment. Finding a clinic that is close to home can help to reduce travel time and costs. You may want to balance this factor against success rates and cost to find the clinic that is right for you.
If you would like to find out more about fertility treatment, The London Women’s Clinic is holding fertility fairs in Bristol (24 June) and London (8 and 9 July). These free events will bring together a wealth of fertility information under one roof in a friendly and relaxed atmosphere. Knowledgeable staff will be available to answer questions on assisted reproduction and the fertility process and special seminars will run throughout the day. For more information or to register to attend the fair visit: fertilityfair.co.uk
