Ivf abroad vs uk: So today is one of... - Fertility Network UK

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Ivf abroad vs uk

AJJ123 profile image
18 Replies

So today is one of those days you sit around looking at ivf prices and wondering how your going to find the money to afford it.

Just had a look online and I’m astounded at the price difference.

For e.g.

Ivf ICSI €1600

Meds for ivf ICSI €250-750

Embryo glue €75

Does anyone know what we are paying for in the uk other than the convenience of having it in the UK?

Xx

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AJJ123
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18 Replies
Tugsgirl profile image
Tugsgirl

It takes the p*** doesn’t it? We pioneered ivf and charge double other countries and it begs the question if they can do it cheaper why do we have to pay so much?? The clinic we’ve been using is very expensive but we’ve recently been looking into an nhs clinic that also treats private patients and it’s a lot cheaper than our clinic xx

AJJ123 profile image
AJJ123 in reply toTugsgirl

Yes at those prices no one would find themselves remortgaging in a hurry. It demonstrates that you can get the same treatment for far less and as gracieboos says below possibly more attempts if one should fail. Xx

Lilli79 profile image
Lilli79

Wow! Those meds prices are crazy! How do you get them if you do ivf abroad, I just assumed you still had to get these in the UK?

besgstan profile image
besgstan in reply toLilli79

I had a look online at a north Cyprus fertility clinic and they are able to get the meds delivered to you in the UK but at their low cost prices. They also have linked clinics where you can have the scans to check on lining and follicles etc. You just go over for the egg collection and stay until either a 3 day or 5 Day transfer. One I looked at even sorta accommodation and provides a mobile phone so they can contact you whilst you relax!!! Really making me think about doing any private cycles abroad xx

Cinderella5 profile image
Cinderella5

Its shocking really! That's one of the main reasons that we are having treatment abroad, that and we get a break/holiday in the sun at the same time!xx

It's terrible what they charge in the UK. A very good friend of mine spent alot of money at a English Clinic & was fuming when I told him the cost of our treatment in Athens. He was quite angry he hadn't thought of treatment abroad but said they just assumed the price he paid was what the process cost everywhere. It's quite sad as none of their cycles worked & for the same money they would have had more chances abroad.

ClarabGlasgow profile image
ClarabGlasgow

Oh wow I must look in to this what a difference! X

Cinderella5 profile image
Cinderella5 in reply toClarabGlasgow

You do still have to look around as some clinics are more expensive than other and make sure when comparing that you check what's included. You obviously have to take travel and accommodation into account but we still found that going away was cheaper with no compromise on care!xx

AJJ123 profile image
AJJ123 in reply toClarabGlasgow

It’s huge. Just research the clinic, check success rates etc and then go for it really xx

Its so expensive here. My understanding is that they charge so much in the UK for private treatment as part of those costs go back into the NHS to go towards funding other patients treatment costs. Im thinking of going abroad next too xx

AJJ123 profile image
AJJ123 in reply to

Yep there’s no way I’m going to pay all that in uk and end up broke xx

Hey lovely big things to take into consideration after us going abroad!

You needs to consider extra blood tests in uk. You will more than likely have to pay for them privately as you have gone private or travel to country where you have treatment. Fir us we needed bloods day 2 of period day 10 day 3 after transfer day 6 after transfer day 10 after transfer then weekly until week 12. (We miscarried and needed additional ones taken to show hcg dropping) bloods costly too

You might need a scan again private day 2 for us, day 10 after period then three weeks after treatment ( again if you have difficulties you might need additional scans) cost for us £100 per scan

Also language barrier sometimes very frustrating.

If you need additional medications not easy to get as we food it impossible to get a foreign prescription in uk our gp wouldn’t prescribe so again paying for private consultation with specialist in uk and they often won’t prescribe drugs as overseas protocol can be very different from uk.

Going for round two and not looking forward to additional costs and stress again but we have two frosties so want to use them.

For us we would in reflection have used a clinic in uk we could easily have got to. Gone with a package that everything was included in (tbh although it was cheaper abroad the additional costs, flights, accommodation and time of work has cost significantly more than uk)

This is only my experience but it has been stressful. Some clinics in uk have an affiliation with uk clinics and work together which would even have been better. If I can help with any questions let me know. Good luck in your choices xx

AJJ123 profile image
AJJ123 in reply to

Thank you for being so honest about it all. It definitely worth hearing the cons. It’s a shame that our prices are so high and it doesn’t seem fair but on the other hand it’s not ideal if there are language barriers and the issue with meds etc. I’m still exploring avenues, I may go with one in the uk that offers a refund if no success. That way I can fund another go should it go t* up for me xx

in reply toAJJ123

Hi the cost is so much but for us we would have been cheaper in the uk although our clinic is very well priced in comparison with the uk. We also don’t have time to be away for weeks due to our jobs. Anyway it’s a journey and I sincerely hope whichever way you go a smooth and successful one for you. Lots of luck xxx

AJJ123 profile image
AJJ123 in reply to

Thank you lovely xx

Hello I've just come back from spain. We were £5000 altogether at the clinic that included alllll tests. Blood tests scans finding out what was wrong etc. Then £2500 on medication and vitamins plus accommodation flights etc. About 10 grand altogether and we stayed there for 6 weeks xxx

AJJ123 profile image
AJJ123 in reply to

Wow, ok that sounds like a long time away. I’m not sure I’d be able to take that long off work but I’m open to all ideas at the moment - the best for me are the cost effective ones with the best success rates xx

Effie_L profile image
Effie_L

Hi there, there are more value-for-money treatments abroad and I think that Greece is actually cheaper than Spain and with more experienced people than the Czechs. Make your research, learn how to compare the same things – services, prices, success rates, not treatment costs - shortlist your options per country and skype with as many as clinics you can! Good luck!

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