Along with the sperm and the egg (be they yours or via a donor) your fertility clinic is one of the most important elements of your fertility journey. But do you know how to pick the right one for you? From location to cost, to the extra support they offer – there are many things to consider when finding the perfect place to embark on your fertility journey.
Key considerations when choosing your fertility clinic
Fertility treatments are costly and can put a huge dent in your wallet. You want to make sure you find a clinic that is the perfect fit and caters for your every need. The selection of clinics is endless and it can be very overwhelming at first – adding to your stress levels. There are some important factors to consider when looking at fertility clinics such as cost, location and treatments offered. Finding a fertility specialist you can trust means that you can rest easy knowing you’re in safe hands while embarking on this conception journey.
Cost
Cost plays a big part in infertility treatments. If you meet the criteria for NHS funded treatment, you will get them either fully or partially subsidised. However, this can be a bit of a postcode lottery, as IVF funding differs between each local authority. Most of the time, payment for these treatments will need to come out of your own pocket.
The different assisted fertility treatments vary in prices, and so prices between clinics. Private treatment can be expensive and thinking about how you are going to finance them is something you should plan for before embarking on this journey. With all the tests, drugs and appointments, you might see the final bill rack up very quickly. The prices on the clinic’s website are just a general estimate of treatment prices. To get a better understanding of what your treatment bill might look like, you can contact the clinic you are interested in directly to get a personalised and realistic idea of how much you might spend. The HFEA authority requires clinics to give each and every patient an individually costed-treatment plan.
Location
Location is another important factor to take into account. Let’s say you find a clinic you love, but it is a long way from home, is this a journey you are willing to make on a regular basis? Fertility treatments require you to visit the clinic frequently, so travel time is something to take into consideration. Do you have enough time to travel back and forth? Are you willing to take time out of your day to travel these distances? These are some questions you can ask yourself while shortlisting clinics.
Treatments Offered
Clinics can offer different treatments. While most clinics will offer the common assisted fertility treatments like IVF and ICSI, there are some niche treatments like IVM that might not be available at all clinics. The type of treatment the doctor will recommend will depend entirely on the cause of your infertility. To get a better understanding of which assisted fertility treatments to benefit each underlying fertility issue, check out the assisted fertility Parla blog here. If you know which fertility treatment you require, it is imperative to ensure the clinic you select offers you this.
Success rates
Comparing clinics on their success rates and going for the best one can be very tempting. The reality is that success rates entirely depend on the patient dynamic of the clinic – high success rates do not necessarily convey doctors expertise. Most clinics are all broadly on par with each other in relation to success rates with some minor disparities.
The Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority (HFEA) collects data from each clinic and publishes this information on their website. The HFEA is in charge of the regulation and inspection of all UK clinics offering fertility treatments. They recommend looking at national rates rather than clinic specific success rates, as individual clinic rates cannot predict how likely you are to have a baby. They publish national data and statistics here. While the HFEA might not be entirely controversy-free, they have very strict publishing guidelines on how success rates need to be reported by clinics. The HFEA collects this data and compares each clinic’s data all in one useful and easy to understand page. However, it’s important to remember that there are so many different factors that go into the success of fertility treatment, from your preconception care to the reason you’re struggling to conceive. Everyone’s fertility journey is so personal, so try not to pin too much on the success rates of the clinic.
Emotional wellbeing
Your fertility journey might not just be physically demanding but may also have a huge emotional impact. You want clinic staff that are compassionate, who can offer emotional support and truly understand the nuances of this journey. Did you feel emotionally supported when you met them? Do they offer counselling? These questions should be in your mind when visiting clinics.
Emotional wellbeing is just as important as physical wellbeing and another crucial aspect of fertility treatments. This journey is long and emotional. Having the right team treating and caring for you is of the utmost importance. Each licensed clinic should offer counselling but they might not all have counsellors on site. Sometimes counselling might not be included in the full treatment package, so the clinic might expect you to pay an additional fee on top of the treatment price.
Seeking assisted fertility options can be overwhelming. You want to find the perfect fit not only for you but for your future baby. There are so many factors to take into account and it can all start piling on when you do not know where to look or what to look for.
Whilst this blog may have given you a little more clarity and provided you with some key questions you should address – you can always join the Parla community to access a supportive community and fertility experts who can help you pick the right clinic for you.
