If you're struggling to conceive and on the path to parenthood, looking to have a baby and are considering, planning or about to have fertility treatment like IVF, ICSI, Egg Donation, Sperm donation, Embryo adoption or embryo donation treatment in Europe and in places like Spain, Greece and Czech Republic then you're in the right place.
I'm Emma Haslam and since the birth of our son in 2018, I have made it my mission to make fertility treatment more transparent, accessible, supported and affordable. I now help people around the world just like you to find a safe, best fit clinic and navigate fertility treatment in Europe. And since 2019 I have helped 100s of people around the world to make informed decisions that are right for them and to have fertility treatment in Europe and achieve their dreams of starting or expanding their families.
When you're going through something as difficult as infertility and trying to conceive, ease where you can get it is a good thing. However, sometimes things that feel easy in the short term might not be as easy later on and I want to discuss why local fertility clinics might not actually be the easy option and therefore best choice for your fertility treatment like IVF in the long run.
The Comfort of Local IVF & Fertility Clinics
Naturally, when you start thinking about where to have your fertility treatment, you generally look at clinics, maybe within an hour's drive of where you live. It makes sense; it's comfortable because you know the location and it’s easy to visit the clinic in person. The convenience of being able to go home every night during your treatment is also appealing and comforting to many. This was something we also considered when we started our fertility treatment journey.
Recently, I spoke with a woman who had booked an appointment with a local IVF clinic while also exploring the possibility of going abroad for fertility treatment. Exploring a local clinic to you feels like it makes sense and it is a common and understandable approach. However, while it feels practical and like it will offer ease during a difficult time, it may not be the best choice in the long run.
Here’s why:
When choosing a fertility clinic primarily based on location, you may not be considering whether it truly is the right clinic for your specific needs. Factors like medical requirements, age, or unexplained infertility might necessitate specialized care that not all local clinics can provide. It's essential to understand that all fertility treatments are not the same, and neither are the clinics offering them.
Not all clinics offer the same treatments, and some are better at certain things than others. Some clinics specialize in specific areas of fertility treatment, while others do not. Some offer personalized protocols, while others use the same protocol for every patient. It’s important to consider being looked after by a team that can meet your medical needs to give you the best chances of success.
Some clinics may not offer the treatment and or fertility testing that you want or need and they may have long waiting lists for things like egg donation, particularly if you are a person of color living in the UK.
The cost of fertility testing and treatment varies wildly and if home is somewhere like the UK or USA then the cost of fertility treatment is so expensive and so your budget for treatment will go much faster and this is a numbers game and you want to be able to stretch your budget further if needed to cover the cost of your fertility treatment and to give yourself the best chance of success, a baby or babies at the end of your treatment and no regrets, whatever the outcome.
Finding the Right Fit for Your Needs
Although choosing a local clinic will feel easier initially, it may not be the best choice for your long-term success. By looking further afield and finding a clinic that best meets your medical needs, you may be able to stretch your budget further and have more choice of clinics to find one that best suits your needs and both of these factors combined will help to increase your chances of success. It's crucial to ask good questions and honestly assess whether the clinic is the right fit for you. Some factors to consider which can make or break your journey include;
About the fertility clinic: the clinic’s personality and how it operates, does the clinic work in a way that suits you and can provide the support you need and expect?
Price is another critical factor: there are significant cost differences between clinics, even within the same country and make sure you understand what costs are and are not included as sometimes this can be extremely misleading at first glance.
Exploring Options & The Benefits of Treatment Abroad
If you’re open to considering fertility treatment abroad, I can help you find a safe clinic for your fertility testing and or treatment that suits your needs and budget. And while the idea of going abroad for treatment might seem daunting, remember that it doesn't have to be harder and you don’t have to do it alone. I have helped 100s of people to navigate fertility treatment in Europe and have done this for myself to 4 times, so I have learned a lot and I can use this experience to help you to make informed decisions, save time and to feel supported and back in the driver's seat on your journey with trying to conceive.
Going abroad for fertility treatment can offer numerous benefits, including significant cost savings, access to innovative treatments, and the opportunity to be away from the stresses of home life. Although the idea of traveling for treatment might seem overwhelming, many find it a beneficial experience, providing a break from daily stresses and a chance to focus solely on their treatment.
So, before you commit to a local clinic, take a moment to consider all your options. If you have questions about going abroad and want to work out if it is right for you then I offer a 30 minute video call for that personalized support PICK MY BRAIN call. I also offer an instantly accessible DIY toolkit course which step by step and in under 4 hours I tell you everything you need to know to understand the process of having fertility treatment abroad in Europe, through to how to find a safe best fit fertility clinic, in the right destination and then the planning and having your treatment including how to get your medication and next steps. Or you can book a complimentary 15-minute video call to discuss the services I have available and to see if we are a good fit for each other.
I truly hope this guide helps you, providing helpful insights and considerations for where to begin with your IVF treatment abroad journey. Download my free checklist and short guides for more information below.
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