Community post

Not sure if this is too late for you now, but just wanted to share my story with you.

I had my first IVF treatment with the NHS, I had one shot so I was crossing my fingers, toes, everything! I was 36 at the time, and told that I had a good chance at that age... not the best, but definitely not the worst.

When it didn't work, it was a huge knockback... you can imagine. I started looking into other options, whilst trying to conceive naturally, until eventually we decided to go private. I made lists of clinics, collected reviews, even visited two near me, but it felt like window shopping for something I'd never have, at the time, with the cost, and my age creeping up on me. We realised that by the time we'd waited for an egg donor, saved the money, gone through the process, it'd be too late.

That's when I started looking abroad. I looked at a few countries, again looking at reviews, talking to people, checking other fertility forums (I lurked a lot at that time!). I eventually found a clinic in Greece which seemed to be reasonably priced, clean & safe, and welcoming (embio medical centre). The Dr was really nice too, Dr. Thanos Paraschos. I was worried about the language barrier, but everyone there spoke really good English.

After the treatment, I was a lot less hopeful than the first time. I tried to think of it as a holiday, I spent two weeks out there, and if anything came of it, it'd be an added bonus. That's when we got our BFP :) Baby girl (Holly) came along three months ago! She's an angel, and I don't think I could love her any more than I do.

In terms of advice, I'd say do lots of research, look for reviews, and speak with the doctors... the good clinics will answer your questions before you book.

Hope it is not late for you, and also hope helpful for others. Every and again I live in Poland. Here there are two good clinics Bocian and Invicta. Clinics are always top rated and have all international certificates. Bocia is good for classic ivf. Invicta has clinics in Warsaw and Gdansk and know as one of the most experienced with international patients. Doctors speak some foreign languages, including English. One of the doctor-Lukaszuk is world known specialist in genetics issue. Invicta has the most modern own lab, egg and sperm bank. Their ivf success rate is one of the highest not only in Poland, but also iin Europe. Their procedures include ivf, PGD, NGS and eggs freezing. They have also desiigned the special scheme of 3 visits for international patients. A clinic works effectively, answer mails very quickly. All prces are officially presented in the website, so you can calculate and know procedure price in advance.I got all info from my friends who are mum now thanks to that clinic.
Poland is a safe and low cost country with good infrastructure. People are very friendly and a nice climate. In Warsaw or in Gdansk or any other city you will find a lot of attractions. Another plus- Poland is a low cost country.
Really there is no reason to be worried or nervous.

If need any additional info, feel free to ask.

if you search the Internet, you will find some websites on fertility clinics overview (e.g. eggdonationfriends.com) where you can easlily check prices, reputation and star rating of any fertitlity clinic, and you can quote cost estimation on any fertility clinics worldwide.
And be optimistic, a lot of girls have become happy mums after ivf treatment abroad. You should believe and never give up