Becky’s Blog

21 Apr IVF treatment in Europe? You’re in safe hands.

Posted at 11:24h in Comment by Becky Saer 0 Comments

Legal protection for IVF patients in Europe is impressive. It's in a different league, for example, to cosmetic surgery, which still attracts some cowboy operators. Not so for IVF. Strict EU laws on fertility treatment, plus well-regulated industry practice, have been evolving for 30 years. If you choose to have an IVF cycle at a licensed fertility clinic in Europe, you'll get fair and safe treatment.

11 Apr Farewell Bob Edwards, visionary IVF pioneer

Posted at 11:00h in Comment by Becky Saer 0 Comments

The death of British IVF pioneer Bob Edwards marks a life that changed the lives of millions. Since 1978, the year Edwards presided over the first IVF baby, over six million babies have been born thanks to the techniques he developed. The role of his colleague, the laparoscopy expert Patrick Steptoe, should also not be underestimated.

09 Apr Stress: does it affect IVF outcomes?

Posted at 10:29h in Medical news by Becky Saer 2 Comments

sad young woman crossed fingers for her face in crisis moment

Stress and IVF. We're always told the two don’t mix. Clinics say take it easy, before and after your treatment. Friends keep a respectful distance. But the truth is, stress and anxiety don't seem to affect IVF outcomes that much. But read on.

03 Apr Does PGD (PGT-M) boost IVF success rates?

Posted at 11:30h in Medical news by Becky Saer 0 Comments

PGD (now known as PGT-M) is a godsend for couples with known medical conditions that could be passed on to their offspring. And it's getting better all the time. 1 in 100 babies inherit a serious parental disorder, but PGD/PGT-M is playing its part in tackling this. And in a new study of IVF embryonic DNA a way has been found to extract genetic material from a developing embryo without the need for a cell biopsy.

29 Mar Stillbirth – the risks for pregnant women

Posted at 11:29h in Medical news by Becky Saer 0 Comments

Stillbirth is perhaps the most profoundly upsetting of all all fetal deaths. Research has found that IVF pregnancies don't lead to significantly more stillbirths than natural pregnancies (but a 2019 study did question this). Can you do anything to reduce the chance of a stillbirth?

27 Mar Vitamin D: good or bad for pregnant women?

Posted at 12:21h in Medical news by Becky Saer 0 Comments

Recent studies on vitamin-D levels in pregnancy appear to contradict each other. One, from the University of Bristol, said maternal vitamin-D levels don’t affect the child’s bone health. A second, from the University of Calgary, said low levels cause pregnancy complications. A third study, from 2018, looked at vitamin D and IVF treatment. It found better live-birth rates when patients had enough vitamin D in their systems after IVF cycles. So should pregnant women monitor their vitamin-D levels? Read on.

15 Mar Czech donor eggs: the EU’s best-kept secret?

Posted at 11:57h in Donor egg IVF by Becky Saer 17 Comments

Mention donor eggs abroad and many people think of Spain. But there are other places in the EU to have donor-egg treatment. Like the Czech Republic. It’s the best-kept secret in the IVF world: cheaper than everywhere else, but offering fabulous care. We know, because that's where we went.

01 Mar The Great British IVF Robbery?

Posted at 14:14h in Comment by Becky Saer 1 Comment

If you’re over 40, you may qualify for state-funded IVF. Or maybe not. The recently updated NICE guidelines on fertility treatment, non-legally binding and ignored by most GPs, recommend that women aged 40 to 42 have access to IVF treatment on the NHS. The bad news? Several caveats apply to the access criteria.

17 Feb IVF overseas: why European clinics lead the way

Posted at 16:19h in IVF by Becky Saer 4 Comments

IVF treatment abroad continues to make sense for many UK couples. There are two reasons why: lower cost and better care. We've long criticised the provision of IVF in the UK. The cost of IVF continues to rise in the UK, and it's risen more after Brexit. If no-deal happens, expect even higher UK prices for fertility care.

11 Feb Top 5 reasons to have donor embryos abroad

Posted at 17:15h in Donor embryo IVF by Becky Saer 2 Comments

Donated embryos, or embryo adoption, is on the rise. More liberal approaches to alternative parenting in recent years have made it a real option for many couples (and singles). With good success rates, donor-embryo treatment is no longer taboo or the 'forgotten' fertility treatment. Read our top 5 reasons to consider it – and why going abroad is your best bet.