IVF Clinics in Europe

[LondonSuperTrooper]

I am looking to have IVF abroad as it seems to be much cheaper than the UK. I have a DS who is soon to be 7 but we've been unable to conceive #2 (I'm 40 years old). In the past 5 years I have had three pregnancies which all ended in miscarriages between 6-8 weeks.

I feel that I have been dealt a double whammy as it takes me 12+ to conceive only to have a miscarriage. I have now been diagnosed with secondary infertility & IVF has been recommended. We have limited funds so can only afford one IVF cycle using my eggs and if this is unsuccessful then I will have donor eggs cycle.

Has anyone had IVF overseas? I am thinking of Czech Republic, but have also heard clinics in Spain & Greece being mentioned. From my limited research, Spain & Greece are somewhat more expensive than IVF in Czech.

If you have any information to share than please post. I am completely clueless! I'm not even sure whether I have to make 1 or 2 trips to the clinics. And once you factor in the travel costs, will it be that much cheaper than having the treatment in the UK? I have been told that an average cycle in the UK costs 6.5-7k. For the price quoted in the UK, it seems I can just about fit 2 IVF cycles overseas... or am I completely wrong?

[LondonSuperTrooper]

Eurochick thank you for your post. I'm based in Surrey & have contacted several clinics around this area and 6.5-7k was the average price that i was quoted (for one cycle).

If I can find a UK clinic that will caryy out the procedure for the price that you mentioned then I would definitely have the treatment here.

[eurochick]

Create is based in Wimbledon. Is that accessible for you?

[LondonSuperTrooper]

Thanks Eurochick. I'm now on the waiting list to attend of their open day at their clinic.

[wouldbemedic]

OP, there is a facebook group that has all the information you're looking for. It's called 'reprofit international'. There is also a Nottingham based agency called 'Your IVF Journey' that arranges treatment with Reprofit for patients based in England. In my opinion, it's completely unnecessary to use them. You would need to have all your blood tests done in England and forward the results to reprofit. Same for the scans. Easily done through BUPA though not cheap. We only had to visit once. We ordered the medications from a very unremarkable London pharmacy. Once back in England, it's very simple to book the blood tests through BUPA (you need three to establish if the pregnancy is progressing as it should). Apparently that should be possible through a GP's surgery but we didn't find it so. After that, it's NHS all the way!

[LondonSuperTrooper]

Wouldbemedic thank you for the FB info. I'll have a look at this over the weekend. I have seen the 'IVF Journey' organisation and whilst it may take out the stress of organising the trip, appointment etc it will obviously reduce my meagre IVF fund.

Cola thanks for your reply. I have ventured into the FF boards but the threads seem to be split into clinics etc. I'm still deciding which clinic to choose. I'll have another look this weekend but it all depends on whether my wifi will work or not (I've been having problems with the internet connection).

My only concern with the choice of clinic is that if my eggs are not good enough, then the waiting list for a donor egg could be an issue. Does anyone know roughly how long this waiting list is for Gennet or Reprofit?

As my DH won't even consider having IVF just yet, I'm collating as much research and info. My deadline is that if I'm not pregnant by December, then we are going to over Czech in January & I'm hoping & praying that DH will see sense. He seems to be in denial and has been for the past few years...... but as I told him, I'm going to be 41 and time is so not on our side!

[eurochick]

Excellent, London. As I said, I have nothing at all against the foreign clinics but I just want to make sure that if you are heading abroad based primarily on cost, you are aware of some of the lower cost options here as well.

[LondonSuperTrooper]

Thanks Euro, I really appreciate your advice. I've just researching IVF and its costs so any advice given is gratefully recieved :)

[eurochick]

BTW, as well as various people on this board having experience of IVF, you might want to dip a toe into the Eggsellent Egg Buddies threads over in Conception. They are full of people going through IVF (or hanging around between rounds) and are using a mix of UK and overseas clinics.

Good luck with whatever you decide. As I'm sure you have read, the biggest factor in whether or not IVF is successful is maternal age, so you are absolutely right about time.

[KnackeredCow]

Just wanted to echo Eurochick.

It could be cheaper to travel elsewhere in the UK for treatment. My clinic charged £3,050 for a round of IVF including all scans, drugs, consultations and procedures. It is different when it comes to donor eggs because of the wait list, and so for those patients they had an agreement with a clinic in Spain and would refer through.

Good luck!

[LondonSuperTrooper]

Knackered please can you tell me the name of your clinic? That cost looks very reasonable!

[wouldbemedic]

Waiting for an egg donor is the big selling point for using Your IVF Journey to go to Reprofit. They get to jump the queue (though not by as much as they lead you to think). But it is a month or two ahead. We had to wait 2-3 months.

[LondonSuperTrooper]

Wouldbemedic it's been a long day and I'm shattered so pls forgive this obvious question. Did you use my IVF journey then? Am I correct in thinking the associated costs of joining them are around the £400 mark?

[wouldbemedic]

I believe they're closer to £300. We did use it, yes. Not particularly happily. Jumping the queue for an egg donor is an advantage.

[KnackeredCow]

Will PM you.

[Lya9]

We have chosen Gynem clinic in Prague, in Czech republic. Dr.Mrazek has got lots of experiences and is well known infertility specialist. Prices more than reasonable...

[StephanieLaws84]

hi LondonSuperTrooper

i live abroad (canary islands) and i am just about to have my first cycle of ivf. There is a clinic in Gran Canaria, they are great. Fantastic team !!
www.ivi-fertility.com/

I dont know if they are cheaper as the uk, but i would check them out :)
let me know what you think

[maggie5103]

hi Ficidy
I'm new to Mumsnet. I got news this morning that embryos didn't make it to blastocyst stage and am galvanised by anger to look abroad (feel clinic in Dublin just sort of chanced their arm with the treatment of the embryos ). I'm not sure how to pm you on this website but I would love to get your advice on the Gennet clinic - we can't afford another cycle in Ireland. Thanks in advance

[Njoy38]

Hi londonsupertrooper I'm in the same boat as you im 38 blocked tubes and been told we need Ivf which is £5000 plus and success rate is 30.5% ??I'm new and don't know how to pm or anything could u send me the information. And I believe our country to have one of the lowest success rates ??

[lucieloos]

I've had one round of own egg ivf at Reprofit and I'm off for another in a few weeks. They are brilliant, so professional compared to some of the UK clinics I've experienced. You get access to your doctor via email whenever you want and they are open to trying different things. The prices are amazing. Icsi with own eggs is only £1450!! You can either go out there for yours scans which are included in the price or i arranged mine in the UK and paid a little extra as I didn't want to spend that long in czech. Czech often have better success rates than UK and are using the latest techniques which quite often UK clinics are not. All in all I would definitely recommend! If you want any more information about Reprofit I would be happy to help.

[Njoy38]

I have all my info for reprofit they seem very experienced and have made me feel really positive about travelling aboard to do IVF. I can start as early as my next period as we are using our own eggs. Just finding out about getting the medication. Fingers crossed ??

[lucieloos]

Great news njoy they are a brilliant clinic and it's in a lovely town

[miamiaMo]

Hi, yes you are right, ivf abroad is cheaper. Popular destinations are: Greece, Spain, Czech rep and Poland. Greece and Spain are more expensive, Poland and Czech rep are cheaper. In Czech good fertility clinics are mentioned above. Poland's and Czech ivf prices are similar. In Poland mmost popular fertility clinics are: Bocian (Bialystok) and Invicta (Gdansk, Warsaw). The second one is more comfortable for travelling, close to airports in Gdansk and Warsaw. Also the clinic employs the best embriologysts, some people even say one of the best in Europe. Both clinics have excellent labs, Invicta is more experienced in area of PGD and PGD/NGS, plus a clinic proposes eggs freezing program. In both clinics ivf prices are about 2000 Euro, Invicta has designed all inclusive programs. You will find detailed info in English with complete price lists visiting clinics websites. Hope info can help you in some way.

[Charman3010]

Can I ask if you use Gennet in Prague and have your scans at the London branch do they charge you extra or is it included in the Prague package price?