Having already looked at the first two issues we then look at specific clinics and there is so much choice out there for the most, (not as much with identity released donors) but we then look at what clinics offer in terms of the number of eggs, number of embryos etc. Guarantee programs are more and more attractive to patients I find, knowing that you will get a certain number of eggs or blastocysts for the fixed fee you pay. I think it is important to state here that NO CLINIC can guarantee that they will create a certain number of blastocysts in one go (one group of eggs mixed with sperm). It is, of course, their intention and for the most part, will achieve this but if they don’t, they are obligated to create further embryos to get to the minimum guaranteed number and that might be using the eggs from a second donor. Also note that once you have had one embryo transfer, further embryo transfer will be charged as the fixed fee normally only covers one embryo transfer event. Further embryo transfer costs are normally a whole lot less and I find it varies from clinic to clinic from 600€ in the Czech Republic to up to 1500€ in most other countries.
Pregnancy or live birth guarantees are not found as often and, in some countries, not at all. These will often have quite specific inclusion criteria in terms of medical history and testing needed on both partners to be accepted onto the program. Yes, you may out a large chunk of money at the start with either a guarantee based on which program you have signed up for or your money back if not successful within a certain timeframe.
Cost is a huge issue for any fertility treatment option and may determine your choice. As a rough guide, I have found that the Czech Republic and Cyprus are the cheapest, Greece follows, then Portugal and finally Spain being the most expensive. I am often asked why different countries charge so varied amounts for treatment and I can only say it is based on the following factors in any country: wages, cost of living, building rates, cost of consumables, tax etc.
This would of course determine the location for treatment, and I often find that patients prefer to consider one country over another. Again, a personal choice.
Lastly, but not the least important is the chances of success in treatment and the statistics that each clinic publishes. I think it is very important when looking at stats that we look at a ‘like for like’ as often as possible so this needs to be kept in mind when looking at websites. Are you looking at stats based on 1 embryo being replaced or two? A fresh cycle or frozen if the clinic’s results alter between the two? Is a positive based on a blood HCG result or an ultrasound scan showing a heartbeat or a live birth? Is this a cumulative result based on more than one cycle having been undertaken? All these will affect stats and need to be taken on board. If someone does not want to risk a twin pregnancy you want to make sure as to what a clinic’s stats are for a single embryo replacement as there can be a huge drop down in stats from two embryos to one for a certain clinic while another routinely replace one embryo and their stats are based on this. Your head can spin with all the numbers, and I was never great at Math but have got a whole lot better over the years in analyzing these!
All these aspects will help to work out where is best for you to undergo treatment, we are all different and as I have said so many times over the years, one clinic cannot do everything for everyone. Everyone’s needs, wants, desires for their treatment and possible child need to be considered and that is what I can do with you so that you make the right decisions moving forward.
Pregnancy or live birth guarantees are not found as often and, in some countries, not at all. These will often have quite specific inclusion criteria in terms of medical history and testing needed on both partners to be accepted onto the program. Yes, you may out a large chunk of money at the start with either a guarantee based on which program you have signed up for or your money back if not successful within a certain timeframe.
Cost is a huge issue for any fertility treatment option and may determine your choice. As a rough guide, I have found that the Czech Republic and Cyprus are the cheapest, Greece follows, then Portugal and finally Spain being the most expensive. I am often asked why different countries charge so varied amounts for treatment and I can only say it is based on the following factors in any country: wages, cost of living, building rates, cost of consumables, tax etc.
This would of course determine the location for treatment, and I often find that patients prefer to consider one country over another. Again, a personal choice.
Lastly, but not the least important is the chances of success in treatment and the statistics that each clinic publishes. I think it is very important when looking at stats that we look at a ‘like for like’ as often as possible so this needs to be kept in mind when looking at websites. Are you looking at stats based on 1 embryo being replaced or two? A fresh cycle or frozen if the clinic’s results alter between the two? Is a positive based on a blood HCG result or an ultrasound scan showing a heartbeat or a live birth? Is this a cumulative result based on more than one cycle having been undertaken? All these will affect stats and need to be taken on board. If someone does not want to risk a twin pregnancy you want to make sure as to what a clinic’s stats are for a single embryo replacement as there can be a huge drop down in stats from two embryos to one for a certain clinic while another routinely replace one embryo and their stats are based on this. Your head can spin with all the numbers, and I was never great at Math but have got a whole lot better over the years in analyzing these!
All these aspects will help to work out where is best for you to undergo treatment, we are all different and as I have said so many times over the years, one clinic cannot do everything for everyone. Everyone’s needs, wants, desires for their treatment and possible child need to be considered and that is what I can do with you so that you make the right decisions moving forward.
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