Building a family is a milestone for many people and In Vitro Fertilisation makes it possible for everyone. Being a form of ART (Assisted Reproductive Technology), IVF is a treatment that helps infertile couples and women conceive.
During IVF, the fertility specialist will take the woman’s egg and combine it with the sperm of a man in a petri dish. The embryo will then be incubated for three to five days before transferring it to the woman’s uterus.
While the standard procedure for IVF is the same for every couple, it might vary slightly depending on your medical needs. This is why scheduling a free 15-minute IVF consultation session with one of our reputable doctors is advised before signing up for the treatment. Keep reading to learn more.
What Happens at Your First Fertility Appointment?
If you have been trying to get pregnant for quite some time and have failed, it might be time to see a fertility specialist. While your first fertility appointment can be a daunting and overwhelming experience, it is important to go prepared as it is your official first step to parenthood.
Your first fertility consultation can last between 15 to 20 minutes and will revolve around performing tests and gathering information about your medical history.
The session will start with our fertility doctor or nurse asking you and your partner questions related to your medical history, including your menstrual cycle, any past fertility treatment, pre-existing medical conditions, how sexually active you are, and how long you have been trying to conceive.
Our doctor might also ask you about your lifestyle (whether you drink alcohol, smoke, or use drugs), allergies, or any previous surgery.
Once our fertility specialist has all the general information about your case, they will take your vitals, weight, and height and learn about the last date of your period. Our IVF professional will also perform a pelvic exam and a vaginal ultrasound and might ask your partner to submit a semen sample for analysis.
Once you have successfully passed the testing stage, our fertility specialist will sit with you to create an IVF treatment plan, keeping in mind your unique case and budget needs and ensuring a smooth and safe pregnancy. In order to prepare you for fertility treatment, We’ll also provide you with the opportunity to raise any questions regarding the IVF treatment.
Online Video IVF Consultation
As the name suggests, during an online video IVF consultation, you will be virtually interacting with your fertility specialist. Video IVF consultation allows you to connect with your fertility specialist and talk to them whenever you want.
It is also a great way to get second opinions from fertility doctors worldwide. Some benefits of an online video IVF consultation are given below:
- You get a chance to discuss your fertility issues with the most reputed medical professionals in the field. They will listen to you and create an IVF treatment plan according to your needs.
- You can have regular conversations with the patient coordinator.
- You will be saving on fuel as you no longer need to leave your home. Hence, comfort is guaranteed.
Private IVF
If you’ve decided to get a private IVF treatment, our fertility specialists can help you understand the process and determine what’s best for you. We will closely work with you and will plan an In Vitro Fertilisation plan that best suits your needs.
Book an Appointment
Whether you are planning a baby today or a year later, understanding your reproductive health is a crucial step of the journey to parenthood. Sign up for our IVF free consultation. Fill in the form and book an appointment with one of our specialist fertility doctors.
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What Is the Minimum Cost of IVF?
Opinium conducted market research on seventy fertility clinics and found that the cost of a single IVF cycle ranges from £2,650 to £4,195 (with the average cost being £3,348). This data helped in determining that the cost of fertility treatment is usually higher in the outskirts of London, such as Glashow, Oxford, Southampton, and Edinburgh.
However, the cost doesn’t include registration and consultation fees, the cost of fertility drugs, and the price of fertility sperm freezing or egg freezing, and can vary from clinic to clinic. Overall, you will be spending somewhere between £2,000 and £7,000 for one cycle of In Vitro Fertilisation. Contact us today to get an accurate IVF cost estimation.
How Much Does a Round of IVF Cost Privately?
IVF treatment from a private fertility clinic can cost you around £1,000 to £5,000, depending on your treatment plan. This is the standard price, and it doesn’t cover the cost of medicine, consultation fee, test charges, sperm donation, egg donation, or embryo donation. The price can also increase depending on the number of IVF cycles you are signing up for.
Can IVF Be Paid in Instalments UK?
There is no accurate answer to this question. Whether you can pay for an IVF treatment in instalments or not completely depends on the policies of the fertility clinic.
However, most private consultation fertility health clinics provide their patients with financial plans that help in breaking down the price and paying it in smaller, affordable chunks.
When selecting an IVF clinic, please opt for the one that fits your budget while taking care of all your medical needs. In some cases, this might require you to travel to different parts of the world.
How to Apply for IVF on the NHS?
Do you want to apply for an NHS-funded IVF treatment? Here is a step-by-step guide to help you in applying for an IVF treatment on the NHS website:
Step 01: Find Your Local CCG
The eligibility and criteria for NHS IVF are determined by your CCG (Clinical Commissioning Groups), and so it can vary from city to city and even postal code to postal code. You can easily find this on the NHS website.
Step 02: Find Out Which Type of Funding Is Available to You
Now that you know the name of your CCG, you should search for its assisted conception policy. You can find it online, and it will provide you with everything you need to know about the type of IVF funding in your area and how to apply for it.
Note that the CCG criteria can often change. Therefore, be sure that you are referring to the most up-to-date source.
Step 03: Check Your Eligibility Criteria
When applying for NHS funding, the biggest concern is whether you are eligible or not. The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) has created the following guidelines to determine your IVF eligibility:
- You and your partner don’t have any children.
- Your BMI (Body Index Mass) is between 20 and 25.
- You have been trying to conceive for more than 2 years.
- You don’t smoke.
- You live in an area that offers NHS-funded In Vitro Fertilisation treatment.
- You are not single.
- You fall under NICE’s age criteria:
- If a woman under 40 years of age has been trying to get pregnant for 2 years and has failed 12 or more unsuccessful rounds of artificial insemination (IUI), she will be offered 3 IVF cycles.
- A woman aged 40 to 42 years will be offered 1 cycle of IVF if she has been trying to get pregnant for 2 years but has failed or even if she hasn’t been able to conceive after 12 cycles of artificial insemination. She has never had an IVF treatment before.
Note that if your medical reports suggest that IVF is the only fertility option for you. NHS will provide you with funding right away.
Step 04: Talk to Your Gener#al Physician
Speak with your general physician if you are eligible for NHS funding. You can ask them for their advice and a referral to the fertility clinic.
Step 05: Time for You to Choose Your Fertility Clinic
You can ask your general physician to provide you with a list of CCG-approved IVF clinics. You can visit these clinics and choose whichever you want, including private fertility clinics.
When selecting a fertility clinic, do consider its success rate, location, type of treatment offered, waiting list, the time the clinic will dedicate to you, customer service, and the patient experience and support.
Once you have finalized a fertility clinic, your general physician will send a referral letter to them. The approval process might take a few weeks, depending on the clinic you have opted for. The best thing that you can do is discuss the timeline with your fertility specialist.
This will prepare you for the IVF journey. As soon as all the paperwork is completed, the fertility clinic will contact you and organise your first official IVF consultation and assessment.
Summary – IVF Free Consultation
While the majority might take it lightly, learning about your reproductive health isn’t only important for you but for your family as well. Understanding how your body works will help you plan a family the right way.
So, if you have been trying to get pregnant for over a year but in vain, we recommend scheduling a free IVF consultation with one of our reliable and trusted fertility doctors today!
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