Am I eligible for IVF funding if I already have a child?
This is a good question with a complicated answer. The short answer is that whether the NHS will fund your IVF depends on the local eligibility criteria. You may have heard the term “postcode lottery” when it comes to accessing IVF in the UK, as the eligibility criteria depends on where you live. Scotland and Northern […]
Male fertility – be like Robbie Williams!
I’ve always liked sharing the same birthday as Robbie Williams – although my wife Jen often says that’s where the similarities end. However, a few years ago I discovered that Robbie and I had something else in common; we both suffered from low testosterone levels. My discovery came about as Jen and I had struggled […]
What vitamins and supplements should I take before IVF?
Eating a healthy and balanced diet will help you get most of the vitamins and minerals that you need for a healthy pregnancy. However, women are recommended to take 400mcg folic acid tablets every day for 3 months before pregnancy and until 12 weeks of pregnancy. Folic acid is important for the healthy development of […]
Menopause terms explained
Menopause This is when a person stops having periods. To have reached menopause, periods must have stopped for 12 months. The average age for menopause is 51. Early menopause This is when a person’s period stops before the age of 45. It can happen for a variety of reasons: Naturally as the ovaries stop making […]
How do I prepare for embryo transfer?
You can make sure your embryo transfer goes as smooth as possible by planning ahead so that the experience is as stress-free as possible. Below are a few tips for your embryo transfer: Time how long it will take to travel to the clinic and plan your journey. Arrange to have someone accompany you to […]
Embryo transfer FAQ
What is the difference between a natural and medicated frozen embryo transfer (FET) cycle? Two types of approaches are used in embryo transfer for monitoring and preparing the lining of the uterus for transfer. These include a natural frozen embryo transfer (FET) cycle and a medicated frozen embryo transfer cycle. FET treatment involves transferring the embryo at the ideal time in the ovulation cycle and when the lining of the uterus is at the right […]
Embryo transfers: what you need to know
Embryo transfer is the last stage of your IVF treatment and takes place following the fertilisation of your eggs by IVF or ICSI. Once the eggs are removed from your ovaries following stimulation with fertility medication, they are fertilised in the lab to form an embryo. The embryo is then transferred to your uterus. What […]
What is the ideal BMI for IVF?
The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) guidelines recommend that a woman’s body mass index (BMI) should be in the range of 19 – 30 to be eligible for NHS treatment (read more). However, studies show that women who are overweight (BMI between 25-30) have a reduced success rate with IVF. The lower […]
Can you increase your AMH levels?
AMH levels reflect a woman’s ovarian reserve (egg supply), which decreases with age. This means a low AMH level is reflective of low ovarian reserve. Some studies suggest that vitamin D and dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) supplementation may increase AMH levels. However, there is not enough evidence to show that these are effective at increasing chances of […]
How to check my fertility?
If you are worried you might be having problems conceiving, or if you have been trying to conceive for more than one year without success, you should consider to have your fertility checked. Tests and scans for women Checking your hormone levels Hormone level tests may include a blood test to measure a hormone called progesterone, […]