LUCY’S 23 STEPS TO PLAN FOR IVF IN EUROPE

• Find your clinic from this site and do your research on them. Find out as much as you can.
• Check against the ‘Questions to ask at the clinic’ to what information you can find upfront.
• Make your final decision based on treatment satisfaction, money, travel, cycle and gut feeling.
• Try and book to see a few clinics on your initial visit to assess properly. Most have free initial consultations. Even with the consultant.
• Organise funds. Is it cheaper to pay by cash, debit card etc?
• Make sure you have your HIV, Hepatitis B & C tests have been done (takes 7 days) with letter of proof. (for couples that means both of you)
• Get all your medical documents organised. Take copies for yourself and you’re your chosen clinic.
• Research local internal scan clinics and check if they will work with a clinic abroad. Check prices for approx 4 scans. (It’s good to know this before you go – See ‘Internal Scans’ Section on this site.
• Book flights, organise hotel room and transfers for initial meeting. Arrange first consultation with consultant (not nurse)
• Have the first meeting – Use the ‘Questions to ask at the clinic’. You may only have 45minutes with your consultant. Use the time wisely. Don’t get distracted by them. Get your questions answered to your satisfaction. Agree on protocol, drugs, treatment, travel and money. Get it in writing before you leave so you don’t forget!
• Find the right hotel to stay in whilst you are on the first trip. You may be there up to a week. You need a calm and relaxing place.
• Now that you have chosen your clinic, get the clinic to write a letter to formally agree treatment for use with your UK internal scan clinic and for your medical records.
• Do you need to take drugs or syringes back with you? If so, get covering letters from the clinic for customs. Drugs can be taken on board, but syringes need to be checked into the hold if you are going by plane.
• If you are buying drugs in the UK, see our section on that. Check price of drugs in the country and back in UK. Remember to shop around!
• Email your chosen clinic detailing your meeting and with your full understanding of the treatment. Get them to re-confirm once again to be double clear. (Even if they wrote a letter to you, just keep that communication open)
• By now, your drugs, scans & letters are all organised. Now you wait to start treatment. Eek!
• Once your treatment starts, book your 2nd trip to your clinic for the main procedure. Call them on day one of course too.
• If you are having your scans in UK, check all your personal scan information has been sent and received by the IVF clinic after each key date.
• Nearly there! Take all things to make your trip comfortable. Comfy clothes, ipod, DVD’s & CD’s for hotel room, candles, etc (check before using any gym or pool in the hotel with your clinic)
• Arrive for the main procedure, chill out and relax. You have come along way to get here. Now it’s your body’s turn to do its job.
• After embryo transfer, relax for the next 24 hours. Don’t hunch over your laptop or watch TV. Your body needs to have space to breathe. Gentle walks. No spinning classes ok?
• When you are ready, fly home, relax and keep moving around gently.

Bloomin’ good luck x