Top 5 Reasons Cited For NOT Going Abroad For IVF Treatment

Travelling abroad for IVF is a huge step to take for many and it usually follows several unsuccessful treatments at home. At this point many people feel that travelling abroad is their last option. They cannot afford the high prices of private clinics at home anymore or they find that the waiting list for treatment, particularly egg donation, is too long.

Whilst treatment in Europe can be up to 50% cheaper and waiting lists non-existent, there are still some people who just feel that they can’t take that next step. The top 5 reasons cited are:

1) Travel.

Having to organise flights and accommodation, sometimes at short notice; travelling to and from the clinic using local transport; finding childcare for any other children left at home; accruing expenses associated with travelling away from home; the lack of a natural support network. These are all real worries and concerns which can be enough for some couples not to take the step to go abroad.

2) Language Barriers.

Does the clinic speak English fluently? Will staff really appreciate my worries and concerns if I have to use a translator? Will I be able to follow everything the staff are trying to tell me?

3) Donor anonymity.

Since 2005, children born through egg and sperm donation in the UK have had the right to access identifying information about their donor. However in many countries in Europe, the law still allows for anonymous donation. This can be an issue for some people who feel that their future child should have access to information about their genetic origins.

4) Substandard clinics and lack of legislation.

Without being able to physically visit a potential clinic abroad before treatment, many people have to rely on forums and chat boards to find out what the clinic is like. Many worry that the clinics are not as well regulated compared to the UK.

5) Lack of transparency with success rates.

Unlike in the UK, where the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority publish clinic results, many countries in Europe do not require to declare their results to the public. Without full access to all treatment cycle outcomes, there is no way to compare one clinic with another. This can be a concern for people who want to understand how well a clinic is performing for their age group and specific treatment.

Travelling abroad for IVF can be daunting but with the right help and support in place it can be a positive experience which can lead to a happy and successful outcome.

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