Choosing a fertility clinic can feel overwhelming. Before starting treatment, it’s important to understand how IVF works, how much it costs, what your chances of success are and whether there are alternatives available.
Whether you’re considering treatment in the UK or abroad, these are the ten questions every IVF patient should ask.
1. What Is IVF?
IVF (in vitro fertilisation) is the most common form of assisted reproduction.
Fertility medication is used to stimulate multiple follicles in the ovaries before eggs are collected. The eggs are then fertilised with sperm in a laboratory and the resulting embryos are monitored for development over several days.
One embryo—sometimes two, depending on individual circumstances—is transferred into the uterus. Good-quality remaining embryos can usually be frozen (vitrified) for future treatment using a frozen embryo transfer.
2. Who Invented IVF?
IVF was pioneered by British scientist Sir Robert (Bob) Edwards, whose work helped transform fertility treatment around the world.
His research led to the birth of the world’s first IVF baby and changed millions of lives.
➡️ Read our tribute to Bob Edwards, the pioneer of IVF.
3. Is There an Age Limit for IVF?
Every patient should undergo a full fertility assessment before treatment begins.
For women using their own eggs, IVF success rates decline with age because egg quality naturally decreases, particularly after 35.
Many clinics recommend considering alternative options such as donor eggs once success rates become very low.
If you’ve frozen embryos from a previous cycle, a frozen embryo transfer may provide another opportunity without repeating ovarian stimulation.
4. How Much Does IVF Cost?
The cost depends on where you have treatment.
Private IVF in the UK can cost several thousand pounds per cycle once medication, scans and additional treatments are included.
Many couples now choose IVF abroad, where treatment—including travel and accommodation—can often cost significantly less than private treatment in the UK.
➡️ Read more about the cost of IVF abroad.
5. Where Can You Have IVF Treatment?
You aren’t limited to having treatment in your own country.
Many UK patients choose fertility clinics elsewhere in Europe because of lower treatment costs, shorter waiting times and established donor programmes.
Treatment within the European Union is subject to strict regulation.
➡️ Read more about IVF treatment in Europe.
6. How Much Does IVF Medication Cost?
Medication costs vary depending on your treatment protocol.
Patients using their own eggs generally require more medication than frozen embryo transfer or donor egg recipients.
Obtaining quotes from different pharmacies or clinics can sometimes reduce treatment costs.
7. What Are the Side Effects of IVF Medication?
Many patients experience temporary side effects including:
Mood changes
Bloating
Fatigue
Nausea
Difficulty sleeping
Most side effects improve once medication finishes, although every patient’s experience is different.
8. What Are My Chances of IVF Success?
Success depends on many factors, including:
Maternal age
Egg quality
Sperm quality
Ovarian reserve
Embryo quality
The experience of your fertility clinic
When comparing clinics, always ask how success rates are calculated.
➡️ Learn how to compare IVF success rates.
9. How Many IVF Cycles Will I Need?
Every couple’s journey is different.
Some patients conceive during their first cycle, while others require multiple attempts before achieving a successful pregnancy.
Looking at cumulative success rates and frozen embryo transfer success can often provide a more realistic picture than focusing on a single treatment cycle.
10. Is IVF with Donor Eggs More Successful?
For many women with diminished ovarian reserve or age-related infertility, donor egg IVF offers significantly higher success rates than treatment using their own eggs.
Because donor eggs usually come from younger women, embryo quality is often higher.
If your uterus is healthy but egg quality is limiting your chances, donor egg IVF may be worth discussing with your consultant.
➡️ Learn more about IVF with donor eggs.
➡️ Read how donor egg IVF worked for us.
18 Responses
Hello
I had my egg retrieval on 21st October 2015 and on 24th October I had embryo transfer. On that day my doctor transferred 3 Grade A embryos. And my gynae gave me the feedback that everything is superfine in my case. Today on dt 6th November 2015 I had my hcg beta blood test. I was very hopeful for my positive result but when I saw the result I was shocked. It was 0.9 miu/ml, which is very low. It comes to my mind there is some problem on the laboratory side…..can anyone suggest what I should do?
Hello
I had my egg retrieval on 21st October 2015 and on 24th October I had embryo transfer. On that day my doctor transferred 3 Grade A embryos. And my gynae gave me the feedback that everything is superfine in my case. Today on dt 6th November 2015 I had my hcg beta blood test. I was very hopeful for my positive result but when I saw the result I was shocked. It was 0.9 miu/ml, which is very low. It comes to my mind there is some problem on the laboratory side…..can anyone suggest what I should do?
My IVF was cancelled due to fertilised but not well developed Embryo after ER and tried by ICSI. So should I continue to try the next cycle. Please ?
My IVF was cancelled due to fertilised but not well developed Embryo after ER and tried by ICSI. So should I continue to try the next cycle. Please ?
My IVF was cancelled due to fertilised but not well developed Embryo after ER and tried by ICSI. So should I continue to try the next cycle immediately . Please ?
My IVF was cancelled due to fertilised but not well developed Embryo after ER and tried by ICSI. So should I continue to try the next cycle immediately . Please ?
Could you pick a photo of a happier couple? They’re not having enough fun discussing their infertility!
Could you pick a photo of a happier couple? They’re not having enough fun discussing their infertility!
Hello I went through ivf on my embryo transfer they did on 26/07/2017 and earlier inhd cramps but now I am feeling like period pain and not too much symptoms ? Can u plz tell me I am worried
Hello I went through ivf on my embryo transfer they did on 26/07/2017 and earlier inhd cramps but now I am feeling like period pain and not too much symptoms ? Can u plz tell me I am worried
I am on Day 12 of my 4 day FET. Day 2 and Day 3 I puked and immediately had motion once a day. Until day 7 it was quiet, but on day 7 and day 8 observed a brownish discharge on my panties. Day 9 observed a pinkish fluid on my vaginal gel applicator, but no bleeding or spotting on my panties. Reported the same to my doc and then she increased my Estradiol Valerate dosage. Do you think It was a failure? Why she increased my Estradiol dose? How long can I see implantation bleeding? I have my beta on Nov 11, 2017.
I am on Day 12 of my 4 day FET. Day 2 and Day 3 I puked and immediately had motion once a day. Until day 7 it was quiet, but on day 7 and day 8 observed a brownish discharge on my panties. Day 9 observed a pinkish fluid on my vaginal gel applicator, but no bleeding or spotting on my panties. Reported the same to my doc and then she increased my Estradiol Valerate dosage. Do you think It was a failure? Why she increased my Estradiol dose? How long can I see implantation bleeding? I have my beta on Nov 11, 2017.
First hcg level 96.3 second level is 147 light bleeding is there chances to get pregnancy
First hcg level 96.3 second level is 147 light bleeding is there chances to get pregnancy
I m in 7th week of Ivf pregnancy. Dr prescribed me every 4th day Proluton inj.+ Crinone gel daily one + Geston tab daily on e vaginally..Is it overdosing? I am scared. Pls help.
I m in 7th week of Ivf pregnancy. Dr prescribed me every 4th day Proluton inj. Crinone gel daily one Geston tab daily on e vaginally..Is it overdosing? I am scared. Pls help.
Hii my ivf treatment is cancelled due to my eggs are dont growth normally.iam taking menotropin injections 10 days nd scaned. But egg growth is very slow. Why we facing that problem
Hii my ivf treatment is cancelled due to my eggs are dont growth normally.iam taking menotropin injections 10 days nd scaned. But egg growth is very slow. Why we facing that problem