Questions & Answers Archives |

10 Questions to Ask at Your First Fertility Consultation

By: Mr Edward Coats | 13th May 2024 Mr Coats is a Consultant Gynaecologist and Specialist in Reproductive Medicine and Surgery with 18 years medical experience. He is Medical Director at a West London fertility clinic. He is a member of The Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists, The British Fertility Society and The British Menopause Society. Ed tailors treatment according to the needs of his patients using an evidence-based but holistic approach. When heading to your first fertility consultation with a specialist, it's helpful to think about the questions you wish to ask in order to have the situation, options and next steps clear in your head. Here Mr Ed Coats lists those questions, some of which only apply to you if you know already that you need IVF, but all of which are helpful to know the answers to so that you have an overview of the clinic, prices and proposed plan. 1. Is my egg reserve normal? A woman’s egg reserve can is either asses…

Fertility check-up: When and where to go?

Unlike what we are made to believe, getting pregnant is not always easy. In fact, 1 in 7 heterosexual couples in the UK faces fertility issues. If you’re planning for a baby, or have been trying to conceive for a while, you may be feeling a little overwhelmed. If you are TTC as a couple, prioritising the health of both partners and getting appropriate testing is an important first step. Here is a step-by-step guide on how you can check in with your fertility. Hormone tests This is always a great place to start, no matter where you are on your pathway to parenthood. Your hormones regulate your menstrual cycle and fertility (along with many other body functions!), and so it is essential that they are all working in harmony. Any imbalance can throw this song off-key, which can affect your fertility! By looking at your cycle characteristics and measuring the hormones that control your menstrual cycle such as oestrogen, follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) and luteinising horm…

Can Pregnant Women Eat Clams?

Introduction Pregnancy is a transformative and vital period in a woman's life, demanding utmost care and attention to ensure the health and well-being of both the expectant mother and her developing baby. One of the key factors influencing a healthy pregnancy is maintaining a balanced and nutritious diet. In this regard, clams, a delectable seafood option, have sparked curiosity among expectant mothers due to their potential nutritional benefits. In this comprehensive article, we delve into the importance of a balanced diet during pregnancy and explore the safety of clam consumption for pregnant women. Let's explore the nutritional value of clams, potential risks and concerns, safe handling and preparation methods, mercury levels, specific health benefits, healthy fats, omega-3 fatty acids content, delectable clam recipes for pregnant women, expert opinions, and relevant studies to help expectant mothers make informed decisions about including clams in their diet. Underst…

10 Most Common Questions at a Fertility Consultation

By: Mr Edward Coats | 12th June 2023 Mr Coats is a Consultant Gynaecologist and Specialist in Reproductive Medicine and Surgery with 18 years medical experience. He is Medical Director at a West London fertility clinic. He is a member of The Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists, The British Fertility Society and The British Menopause Society. Ed tailors treatment according to the needs of his patients using an evidence-based but holistic approach. Seeing new fertility patients every day, I meet a range of people in different situations with different requirements. From those investigating their fertility for the first time, perhaps with the intent of having children later down the road, to others who have undergone fertility treatment before both successfully and unsuccessfully. As a result of these years of consultations in clinic, I have found these are the 10 most common questions asked at a fertility consultation by patients and the answers that I…

What are Women’s at-home Fertility Tests & How Do They Stack Up?

Are you looking to find out if your fertility levels are as good as they should be? If so, you may have heard about at-home fertility tests. These tests use simple urine, saliva or blood samples that can tell you a lot about your reproductive health without having to go through the hassle (and cost) of an in-office visit. In this blog post, we'll take a look at what these kits actually do and how reliable the results really are compared to more traditional clinical methods. Overview of Women’s At-Home Fertility Tests With the advancement of technology, fertility tests are now available in the comfort of your own home. These fertility tests allow women to track their fertility and help determine when they’re most likely to conceive. The process itself is simple: women collect hormone levels through a saliva or urine sample and then mail it off to laboratories for testing. After the analyses are complete, results are sent directly back to the women, often with helpful…

What is Time-lapse Embryo Imaging?

If you're considering IVF fertility treatment, you may have heard of time-lapse embryo imaging. This technique is used to capture images of embryos at regular intervals during their development. Time-lapse imaging can help doctors select the best embryos for transfer, and it's becoming increasingly popular as a way to improve IVF success rates. Here's what you need to know about time-lapse embryo imaging. Time-lapse embryo imaging is a process where embryos are monitored throughout their development Time-lapse embryo imaging provides a special look into embryos’ growth and development. As embryos grow, movement is captured every 10 minutes of their journey from the beginning of life to the start of their first days outside the womb. Through this process, embryos can be carefully monitored by fertility specialists who use this data to assess embryos and make informed decisions on behalf of their patients. The entirety of embryos’ growth can be tracked using time-laps…

What is a Satellite Fertility Clinic?

Across the UK there are a number of HFEA licensed fertility clinics with high-tech laboratories at the heart of their success. As the HFEA data demonstrates some fertility clinics are more successful than others. The very latest HFEA success rates can be easily accessed for all the clinics listed here on Total Fertility, when this data is available. The ultimate goal for every patient is to achieve a live birth through fertility treatment. The chance of taking home a baby is a clear priority for patients choosing a successful clinic. Whilst this is clearly the most important outcome, there are a number of other factors to consider when choosing the right clinic for treatment. The location of the clinic can be a hugely relevant and important consideration. Prior to the Covid-19 pandemic you could expect to visit your chosen fertility clinic to have scans and consultations with doctors and nurses prior to starting treatment and then several more times during the treatment c…

Can I currently travel to Greece, Spain or Italy for IVF?

Last Updated: 29th July 2021 With the travel restrictions of the past 16 months impacting travel abroad for ivf treatment, cross border tourism for fertility treatment is starting to gather pace again as Covid-19 travel restrictions from the UK ease. Every year thousands of people travel from the UK to Europe to undertake fertility treatment. The Coronavirus pandemic has placed an enormous strain on travel globally and restricted many peoples’ fertility treatment plans too. Based on The Fertility Tourism Survey 2020 by Andrew Coutts of the International Fertility Company and its 527 respondents across the UK and Europe, people considered the following destinations for fertility treatment: Spain - 23% Cyprus - 15.2% Greece - 14.4% Czech Republic - 14.3% UK - 7.8% USA - 7% Ukraine - 4.8% Difficulties have occurred largely due to the uncertain and changeable nature of the travel and quarantine restrictions put in place by both the UK and destination countries due…