How to choose the right fertility clinic?
22 September 2023
By Sophie Sulehria
It was great to talk to Anya Sizer on Let’s all Talk Fertility this week, and discuss “How to choose the right fertility clinic”. Anya is always full of helpful information and top tips to consider when undergoing fertility treatment, and as usual she didn’t disappoint.
Anya told us to think about the important factors to us, such as cost, success rates, distance from home, and the support they offer at the clinic. She was also quick to shout about The Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority (HFEA) as a very important tool. Their website has a list of all clinics licensed to offer IVF and ICSI in the UK, which in and of itself is a good place to start if you are trying to find out which clinics may be suitable for you.
From my conversation with Anya, I was able to compile a list of things to remember when choosing a clinic:
Research - this is broad, I know. And with so many clinic options available to us, it can feel overwhelming. Remember your own personal criteria and think about that in relation to each option. Be that specific treatment options, support, cost or distance. This will narrow down the options.
Location - You may not realise when starting out, just how many times you will need to be in clinic during an IVF cycle. In the height of treatment you could find yourself going every other day for a few weeks. That said, if a particular clinician or treatment is important to you, then go with your instinct despite the distance. “Perhaps your clinic will offer you an appointment to suit you, maybe early morning or after work” Anya suggested, as a way round this.
Success rates - The HFEA publish both individual clinic success rates and the national rates on their website. Of course it’s tempting to rely solely on these statistics, but in reality “most clinics are broadly all as good as each other” said Anya. “It’s important to remember that success rates are a mean average. They are not you. You are not just a set of data, and so what you need is a conversation with a doctor, to say what is most likely to happen for you.”
Support - Anya says that’s it’s only in the last few years that counselling hasn’t been considered another ‘add on’ at a clinic. Now it’s become an important part of treatment. Never underestimate how life-changing fertility treatment can be. If a clinic can offer you community and support, be that with other patients or a counsellor, it may be of real benefit.
Perfection - “there is no perfect clinic” Anya was keen to point out. “There is no clinic out there that will tick every box. There will be one better for you, and that’s the one you choose. So let go of trying to find the perfect clinic and just go for the best of the option.” Which sounds like sensible advice for us to take away with us.
Thank you to Anya for this brilliant advice, as ever. To watch this talk again head here and remember, take your time to research your options, maybe talk to other people about their experiences, and trust your instincts.
Our next conversation on “Let’s all Talk Fertility” is with Mr James Nicopoullos from The Lister Fertility Clinic, who will be discussing unexplained infertility and what to do about it. To register for this free lunchtime event, and ask any questions you may have, head HERE now.
