When hormones are affecting your fertility
If you have been trying to conceive for a while, you may be wondering what might be affecting your fertility. Hormonal imbalances are the leading cause of infertility in women, with 25% of women presenting infrequent or absent ovulation. It is also responsible for 5% of infertility in men. In this article we talk about […]
Fertility testing before IVF: what to expect
If you have been trying to conceive for a while, and have been advised you may need fertility treatment, you may be wondering what tests are required before treatment can start. These tests are an important part of fertility treatment and will help doctors personalise your care and advise on the treatment that is most […]
What Happens To Your Body After Failed IVF?
Improvements in assisted reproductive technology are continuously nudging up IVF success rates and these improvements are being replicated in treatments centres around the world. Whilst success rates are rising, the numbers of patients accessing IVF treatments are also increasing. A successful ivf cycle may not be achieved the first time which means that in real […]
The journey that led us to the best souvenir ever – baby Luna
Here we are – THE END… of the journey – oh no, this is the end of the chapter “The journey that led us to the best souvenir ever – baby Luna”. Stacey & Kurt were successful with their application for a free IVF cycle with our Spanish clinic partner University Hospital Quironsalud Madrid last year. NEW […]
8 Tips for Finding the Best Surrogacy Agency
Whether you’re planning to grow your family as intended parents or you want to give the gift of life as a surrogate, choosing the right surrogate agency is essential. You want a company that cares about you and will help you along every step of the way. The best surrogacy agencies will help you find […]
The Good, The Bad And The Baby Maker – Embryo Quality – Grading Systems
Embryologists play a critical role in IVF clinics, we are the firts babysitters from day 0 (fertilization day) to day 6 of embryo development. We evaluate the embryos in culture first thing in the morning, observing them one by one and writing down all the relevant information. Each embryo requires its evaluation time and professional […]
Best IVF apps for 2022
Like any invasive medical procedure, IVF treatment can be complex and for anyone considering it or undergoing it, there might be a number of questions, issues, or concerns that might require addressing prior, during or after the procedure. Patients may also require support during what is naturally an extremely fraught and potentially anxious laden time. […]
IVF cost in the UK revealed
From baffling acronyms (ICSI? FET? PGT-A?!) to confusing stats surrounding success rates, the world of IVF treatment can appear bewildering to the uninitiated. But when it comes to private IVF, nothing is more likely to cause confusion than the financial side of the process. IVF can come with a hefty price tag attached, with the […]
Fertility Journey Patient’s Case Study – Stacey and Kurt from the UK
About the couple Stacey and Kurt contacted us (University Hospital Quironsalud Madrid) from the UK. They were deeply emotionally affected for a year after their previous unsuccessful IVF cycle in Birmingham in 2019. Our first meeting was a Zoom video consultation of about an hour on Sept 20. She was a young 29y woman coming […]
IVF on NHS – Costs and Eligibility – Patchwork Access
Where do you live? No, really, where exactly? Because when it comes to getting fertility treatment on the NHS that could be the most important question you ever answer. How much NHS IVF treatment you get – if you even get any at all – depends on which street you live in and who controls […]
What is IVF treatment?
The history behind IVF Oldham, England, July 1978 a baby was born. It was an ordinary baby but at the same time, it was unique. Her name was Louise Brown and she was the first-ever baby to be born using In vitro fertilization. All the eyes in the world were on Louise and the pioneers […]
IVF step by step
To start thinking of IVF treatment you first need to rule out other options like different infertility treatments or change your lifestyle to a healthier one. You should start with seeing your general practitioner (family doctor) who will check your medical history and examine you physically. He will then probably recommend some tests to be […]
7 Best Fertility Apps for 2022
The development and proliferation of modern day fertility apps which are designed to track menstrual cycles was one of the most eagerly anticipated innovations by women trying to achieve pregnancy by synchronising intercourse with ovulation to identify the most fertile days. The interest in, and sale of fertility apps and products such as home testing […]
IVF vocabulary
IVF refund guarantee – is it an option for me?
Despite advances in science and medical knowledge couples have to consider the possibility that IVF treatment might not be successful in the first instance. Can refund guarantee programmes guarantee success? The answer is obviously not, however what they can guarantee is a peace of mind. Such schemes can prove a cost-effective way of limiting financial […]
Endometriosis, Infertility and IVF
Endometriosis – What is it? Endometriosis can be an overwhelming diagnosis. It is an often a painful and life altering condition in which endometrial tissue, which normally lines the uterus, develops outside of the uterine cavity in abnormal locations such as the ovaries, fallopian tubes, and abdominal cavity.1 This tissue responds during the menstrual normal […]
Infertility issues – FertiAlly – Signposting with Experience
Once you have emotionally accepted a diagnosis of infertility it is wise to take some time out to carefully consider your next steps. You will have to consider what options you have, the treatments available, their success rates, their cost or possibly whether to consider an alternative path which does not involve treatment at all. Whatever […]
Tips For Working Out And Eating Healthy Where You Can
When you are trying to have a baby, things can be frustrating. It’s not easy to see everyone else having the thing that you want most, which is why you might be advised to make some lifestyle changes to boost your chances. Unfortunately, it’s just the way that it is that some people have it […]
The Path To And Through Infertility Counselling
I have just attended a fantastic two day Foundation Course for Infertility Counselling CPCAB Accredited (Counselling and Psychotherapy Central Awarding Body). This was run by the British Infertility Counselling Association (BICA). BICA is a registered charity and the only professional infertility counselling Association recognised by the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority (HFEA) and the British […]
Grieving The Life You Expected
“I think you need to grieve the life you expected”. The words of my coach resonated deeply. This is a subject not often talked about but in my experience can be key to getting pregnant. Bottling up the grief can cause tension in your body.
Growing Families – Surrogacy Stories From the Frontline
Ahead of Growing Families London & Dublin seminars on 2/3 October on international Donor IVF and Surrogacy options, Sam Everingham interviews one recent couple who created family across borders during the Covid pandemic For UK nationals unable to locate an egg donor locally, countries like Greece, Spain and Czech Republic have been popular options. However […]
How to Stay Healthy while Supporting Your Wife On Your Fertility Journey
Having a wife that is trying to get pregnant can be difficult for some men. She might go through many different cycles of fertility treatments and medications, which require you to watch her diet, drink plenty of water, abstain from alcohol, and more. If you want to be supportive while also maintaining your own health, […]
Will Taking The COVID-19 Vaccines Affect My Chances Of Pregnancy?
Will the COVID-19 vaccines affect my chances of pregnancy? No, there’s no evidence that any vaccines, including COVID-19 vaccines, influence your chances of getting pregnant despite a myth suggesting otherwise. Do the COVID-19 vaccines affect my chances of pregnancy? No, there’s no evidence that any vaccines, including COVID-19 vaccines, influence your chances of getting pregnant […]
Hold The Advice: What You Should And Shouldn’t Say To Someone Living Through Fertility Struggles
Living with fertility struggles can be incredibly difficult. It’s an emotional rollercoaster and can cause people to feel sad, angry, frustrated, or anything in between. There is some support available for couples dealing with fertility struggles, but often that support can be hard to get. Workplaces often don’t offer much support, and counselling can be […]
6 Strategies To Get Through Menopause And Embrace A New Chapter
The menopause. Does it creep up on us or does it strike out of nowhere? Life is so busy with so many distractions that we may not consciously be aware of the emotional and physical changes that come with the menopause and may one day wake up and think “What has happened? Where did ME […]
How to Figure Out What You Really Want?
Have you ever wondered what you actually want? Then join Ashley Stahl–career coach, author, former counterterrorism and podcast host– as she shares her 3 key steps to help you connect to your life’s purpose, discover your ideal career path, and make what she likes to call a “You Turn,” the decision to get out of […]
BABY FEVER: Women Willing To Risk Their own health To Have A baby as time runs out
More than half of women starting fertility treatment want a more aggressive pace of treatment, risking physical and mental health 60 percent feel time is running out to get pregnant due to pandemic SAFE campaign warns that women are at risk from clinics offering direct payment models that incentivise profit over health Fertility patients who […]
‘Sneaky’ sperm particles hitchhike around the body
Key points: Sperm particles discovery may also offer cancer researchers new insight into therapies A new sperm discovery is set to rewrite anatomy textbooks and change the way we treat both male infertility and even cancer Researchers at the University of Newcastle have discovered sperm-specific proteins in the bloodstream, which could result in fertility tests […]
A New Study Explores The experiences of couples who struggle to conceive a child
One in six couples trying to have children has struggled with fertility issues — and 40% believe that more resources or support would have helped them in the long run. That’s the result of a new study of over 1,000 Americans, all of whom have either conceived or tried to conceive a child within the […]
The Inadequacy of Surrogacy Law In The UK
The Surrogates is a current BBC3 documentary series that explores the UK’s use of surrogacy by following five women and would-be parents over an 18-month period as they attempt to have a child. Surrogacy is when a woman carries a child for another couple by use of either her egg or that of a donor. […]