For over ten years, Em and Julie carried the weight of unfulfilled dreams. Both had longed to be mothers for as long as they could remember, but their separate journeys through fertility treatment had been marked by heartbreak, failed cycles, and dashed hopes. Julie’s three failed IVF and IUI treatments—including one with international donor eggs—had not only depleted her finances but also strained a previous relationship to its breaking point. Em, who had initially tried to conceive while single, faced the devastating loss of a miscarriage.
Now together as a couple, they faced the challenge united, supporting each other through the emotional rollercoaster of fertility treatment. When IVF Spain selected them for the Fertility Journey project, it felt almost too good to be true—a chance to finally turn their decade-long dream into reality.
Years of heartbreak and failed IVF attempts
Julie’s fertility journey began with a previous partner, but after three failed IVF and IUI treatments—including one using international donor eggs—the emotional and financial toll proved insurmountable. The strain on their relationship became too much to bear, and they ultimately parted ways.
Em’s path was equally difficult. Single and determined to become a mother, she embarked on treatment alone, only to suffer the heartbreak of a miscarriage. Later, health problems forced her to pause her fertility journey altogether.
“We both have been trying for over 10 years on and off. However, Em had some health problems so we stopped. It’s been a very long journey and we both wanted to be mothers for as long as we can remember,” they shared.
Now, finally together and facing this challenge as a united couple, Em and Julie were ready to try again—this time with hope and the support of each other.
Understanding their unique situation
Em and Julie’s case presented specific challenges that required careful consideration. Julie’s previous medical issues meant that Em would carry the pregnancy, necessitating comprehensive fertility assessments for Em specifically.
Their past experiences with fertility treatment in the UK had been discouraging. Both had undergone treatments using their own eggs without success, and their research into donor egg options in the UK revealed prohibitively high costs and lengthy waiting times.
“We both had treatments using our own eggs in the UK, but if you want to use donor eggs don’t do it in the UK. For a lot of reasons, the UK is the worst place to undergo treatment with donor eggs mainly because of the high cost of treatment, typically 20 times more expensive than in other countries. Even at reduced prices, it is very expensive and it is also a long process.”
As a lesbian couple, they also needed a clinic that would provide equal treatment and specialized support for their specific circumstances.
A warm welcome at IVF Spain in Alicante
In July, Em and Julie finally met with Dr. Alicia Álvarez at IVF Spain in Alicante for their initial consultation. They arrived with high hopes and smiles on their faces, ready to begin this new chapter.
“Meeting Em & Julie was a wonderful experience, an adorable couple who had supported each other through a long journey to starting a family together,” Dr. Álvarez recalled.
The couple was immediately impressed by the clinic’s approach. “Dr. Álvarez is amazing and I was really impressed with her. She gave us information I had never heard of before. The way that she described things was in a very professional and friendly manner. She came across as very open, honest and really trustworthy which was really important for me,” they shared.
What struck them most was feeling included as a couple, not just as individuals. “We both felt included as a couple, not just one of us and that felt really special,” Julie emphasized.
Before even becoming candidates for the Fertility Journey project, they had researched IVF Spain extensively and were impressed by the positive feedback and success rates well above the Spanish average.
Exploring IVF with egg donation and Spanish reproductive law
Thanks to Spain’s progressive law on assisted reproduction—one of the most advanced in the world—Em and Julie had access to egg donation treatment with comprehensive legal protections. Spanish law safeguards the identity of both sperm and egg donors while ensuring the highest phenotypic similarity between donor and recipient.
IVF Spain maintains a bank of more than 500 donors from European, Asian, and Middle-Eastern backgrounds, allowing the clinic to match all patients’ physical features. The clinic goes beyond legal requirements by conducting additional testing to ensure the highest safety assurances for donor eggs and sperm.
“I know that Spain is one of the best places in the world for lesbian couples to undergo IVF. Spain offers equal opportunities that you don’t get anywhere else,” Julie explained. “All the helpful information on the IVF Spain website even has a whole section for lesbians which is unheard of in the UK. We haven’t found another clinic anywhere in the UK that directly helps lesbian couples.”
Spain’s fertility success rates spoke for themselves: IVF Spain showed a clinical pregnancy rate of 61% per transfer with own eggs and up to 81% per cycle on treatments with own eggs and Preimplantational Screening (PGS). With egg donation, the clinic achieved up to 67% clinical pregnancy rate and a success rate of up to 91% per cycle—rates certified by the strict German TÜV (Technical Inspection Association).
Comprehensive care in their own language
Being aware of Em and Julie’s previous experiences, the IVF Spain team covered every aspect that might help them fulfill their dream. Dr. Álvarez ordered several blood tests to study anything that could interfere with Em’s fertility, ensuring no stone was left unturned.
“The whole team provided them with all the information they could possibly need to guide and support them through this wonderful journey,” Dr. Álvarez noted.
The clinic’s ability to communicate in nine languages and offer personalized treatments meant Em and Julie could fully understand every step of their treatment. This attention to detail and personalized care made them feel truly supported throughout the process.
The couple was particularly impressed by IVF Spain’s use of cutting-edge technology and research. The clinic specializes in complex cases, including implantation failure, immune and genetic problems, miscarriages, and anonymous egg donation—giving Em and Julie confidence that they were in expert hands.
Beginning fertility treatment with renewed hope
Selected for IVF Spain’s Fertility Journey project, Em and Julie were scheduled to return in October 2016 for their embryo transfer. The selection felt surreal to them both.
“It is an honor to be here and to have been chosen for this. It feels like we’re living a dream we need to wake from. It feels too good to be true,” they shared.
After over a decade of trying separately and together, they were finally approaching their treatment with a combination of realistic expectations and renewed optimism. The support of Dr. Álvarez and the entire IVF Spain team gave them confidence that this time could be different.
A dream within reach
As Em and Julie prepared for their October treatment, they stood on the threshold of a dream they had chased for more than ten years. The journey had been long and often heartbreaking, but now they faced it together, supported by a clinic that valued them as a couple and provided the specialized care they needed.
Their story represents not just their personal struggle, but also the importance of finding a clinic with the right expertise, legal framework, and inclusive approach for each couple’s unique circumstances.
Advice for other lesbian couples seeking IVF treatment
Em and Julie’s experience led them to clear conclusions about where to seek fertility treatment, especially for lesbian couples and those requiring donor eggs.
“We did a lot of research and were impressed by the statistics and the feedback the people gave about the company was fabulous,” they noted.
Their primary advice: look beyond your home country if the laws, costs, or support aren’t adequate. Spain’s progressive reproductive laws and significantly lower costs compared to the UK made all the difference in making their dream financially and practically achievable.
Most importantly, they emphasized the value of finding a clinic that treats you as a complete couple, not just individual patients. The personalized care, honest communication, and inclusive approach at IVF Spain gave them something they hadn’t found elsewhere—hope that their ten-year journey might finally lead to the family they’d always wanted.
For couples facing similar challenges, Em and Julie’s message is clear: don’t give up, do your research, and find a clinic that truly understands and supports your specific needs.
Follow a different couple’s experience
IVF Spain Alicante: Kathryn and Richard’s Journey
IVF Spain Alicante: Laura and Ian’s Journey Through Recurrent Loss to Renewed Hope
IVF Spain Alicante: Claire and David’s Journey from Seven Years of Failed Treatment to New Hope
Updated: 23.02.2026
