Do we really want cheap IVF or cheap fertility treatment?

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 donation treatment in Europe and in places like Spain, Greece, Portugal 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.

Do we really want cheap IVF or cheap fertility treatment?

My first reaction to this question was, yes of course I want cheap IVF, or cheap fertility treatment! We didn’t qualify for NHS funded IVF due to the postcode lottery and BMI here in the UK, so our only option was to save and self fund our fertility treatment.

Free would have been our first choice of course, but like for many others who don’t qualify for state funded treatment, this is not where we found ourselves!

Prices for IVF with ICSI, egg donation and other fertility treatments in places like the UK, Canada, America and Australia are so expensive.

We did explore having IVF in the UK at first as this is where we live and on that level it made sense, but the total costs for everything including testing and consultations was on average £10k a round. Seriously expensive.

I have to admit that before we had our consultations with fertility clinics here in the UK I presumed that their high costs automatically meant they would be the best, which actually was not our experience at all.

We spent around £1k on consultations with the fertility clinics only to feel like a number and one Doctor had not read our notes, not a good start and it’s safe to say that we did not go ahead with treatment in the UK.

I also knew that if we were to have treatment in the UK there would be no money for any further rounds of treatment should we need them, which we did of course as IVF is a numbers game and it took three rounds of donor embryo IVF treatment in Europe for us to have a baby. Thank goodness we made the decision to go abroad to the Czech Republic for our IVF treatment.

However I was skeptical, how can prices be so much lower elsewhere? What are the success rates like? Will the Doctor’s speak good English, Is it safe to have fertility treatment abroad? What is the donor welfare, recruitment and selection process like? Are the standards of care as good as in the UK? What about when you include everything needed like flights and accommodation, surely then the price would not still be lower?

And it’s good to be skeptical and ask questions to determine for yourself whether the destination and clinic you are considering meets your needs and is safe and a good fit for you, because these are the most important things along with if treatment fits within your budget and you need to make sure that corners are not being cut.

I believe that we should be looking for best value, rather than solely focussing on ‘cheap’ fertility treatment, something that works for your budget of course but that is safe, ethical and meets all your needs.

I am proof, however, along with the 100s of people I have helped globally as the go-to IVF abroad and fertility treatment mentor that you can pay less elsewhere and receive more value for your money all without compromising standards or safety, care, welfare and communication.

Love Emma xxx

P.S If you are potentially interested in having fertility treatment abroad this year with my help to find best value, safe fertility testing and or treatment that meets your needs then please drop me an email on hello@yourivfabroad.co.uk with the words ‘THIS YEAR’ and lets chat to see how I can help you.

Want to learn more about going abroad for fertility treatment? 

Watch this free masterclass: yourivfabroad.co.uk/freemasterclass

Access my Conceive Abroad Course. A step-by-step and comprehensive course for people globally on their fertility treatment journey who want to fully understand the process of IVF Abroad, know the steps it takes and feel confident about doing it themselves.

Or take my free quiz: yourivfabroad.co.uk/quiz

Still undecided if going abroad is right for you? Book a 121 Pick My Brain call: yourivfabroad.co.uk/pick-my-brain

Services - to find out more about my services visit: yourivfabroad.co.uk/services

FREE 15 minute video call - ready to take the next step and want to discuss the services Emma offers: calendly.com/yourivfabroad/15min

FREE Online fertility pharmacy introduction - Need an introduction to a specialist pharmacist for a no obligation quote for all your fertility medication at competitive rates and delivered globally?yourivfabroad.co.uk/online-fertility-pharmacy-service

Your IVF abroad planner/journal - Keep everything organised and in one place and document your journey and feelings along the way. Find out more/buy one here: yourivfabroad.co.uk/shop