How long should we be trying for a baby before we get fertility help?
Some couples get pregnant quickly and easily, others can take a lot longer. There is no set point to seek fertility help, although generally many people turn to their GP if they have not conceived after a year of trying for a baby.
We’ve been trying for a baby without success, I think we need help getting pregnant. What should I do now?
Just because you’ve not yet conceived doesn’t necessarily mean you need infertility treatment. An infertility diagnosis is only considered if you’ve been having regular unprotected sex for two years without getting pregnant. Statistics show that 95% of couples are able to get pregnant naturally after two years of trying, so it could be that you just need to try for longer.
However, if you have concerns about getting pregnant, see your GP. Depending upon your ages, your medical history and how long you’ve been trying for a baby, they can carry out a series of simple fertility tests, for example that will check the quality of your partner’s sperm and also to check that you are ovulating regularly. The results of these fertility tests will tell your GP if you need further fertility investigation and treatment. For information about requesting a fertility referral to Manchester Fertility Services, click here.
Is there a way I can improve my fertility?
Weight, smoking, alcohol intake and stress can all affect fertility. If you are trying for a baby, it’s sensible to make sure you’re both in the best of health. See your GP or local family planning centre for advice on lifestyle changes you can make to improve your chances of conceiving. At Manchester Fertility Services we also offer a comprehensive fertility testing service, our ‘Fertility MOT’ which will tell you how fertile you are. For more information, our Treatments page.
Does previously being on the Pill affect my fertility?
If you’ve taken the Pill in the past it will not affect your chances of getting pregnant. Once you’ve stopped taking the Pill your fertility can return to normal quite quickly, hence why there are ‘rules’ in place if you miss a Pill accidentally. However, depending on the type of contraception you’ve been using, such as an implant, it can take a while for your fertility to return to normal. See your GP or Family Planning Clinic for advice.
What can be done to help improve a low or poor sperm count, or improve poor sperm quality?
There are no effective, simple measures to instantly improve sperm quality. However, adopting a healthy lifestyle is beneficial so men should not smoke or drink excessive amounts of alcohol. It’s a myth that wearing loose underwear can help improve sperm quality or count.
How do we find the best fertility clinic for us?
Firstly visit the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority’s website (HFEA) for a list of registered clinics local to you. Then ring up the fertility clinic and ask for brochures or information, or visit the clinic’s website. Don’t be afraid to go and tour the clinic. At Manchester Fertility Services we hold regular open evenings so that you can come and visit us when it suits you, where our friendly team is on hand to answer any questions you might have. You can request a referral from your GP for an initial consultation with us.
When do I start to pay for infertility treatment? Do you do free fertility consultations?
Infertility treatment costs start at the point of an initial consultation with one of our fertility consultants. As we are a private clinic we do not offer free fertility consultations. Click here for more information about our fees and charges.
How much does IVF or infertility treatment cost?
IVF costs vary depending on which unit you choose. You will need to pay for the initial consultation, any pre-treatment tests or scans, and then for the actual treatment itself and any necessary medications. IVF at Manchester Fertility Services costs from £2,650 per cycle. For more details, see our Fees page.
What’s the best infertility treatment for us? Will I need IVF?
Once you have a referral to Manchester Fertility Services, we will conduct the necessary tests and scans to determine the best infertility treatment for your needs which has the best chance of pregnancy. This may not necessarily be IVF, it depends on the source of the problem, whether the issue is you or your partner - for instance blocked fallopian tubes or a low sperm count or other sperm disorder.
Is there a way I can improve our chances of conceiving naturally?
If you have irregular periods it can often be difficult to pinpoint exactly when you are ovulating. You can try using ovulation prediction kits, which can be bought from high street chemists. If your periods are regular, you should be aiming to have sex at least every other day around the time of ovulation, which in a 28-day cycle is mid-month, so approximately two weeks before your next period.
My GP says I need tests. Am I infertile?
No, not at all. Remember that 95% of couples are able to conceive naturally after two years of trying for a baby, very few are actually infertile. All that your GP is doing is looking into why you haven’t conceived yet, to see if there’s an underlying medical reason with either yourself of your partner, which can be treated.
How can I get an appointment with Manchester Fertility Services?
You can request a fertility referral from your GP for a consultation with us. For more information about how to do this, click here.
What IVF success has Manchester Fertility Services had?
Manchester Fertility Services has been at the forefront of IVF technologies since we opened over 20 years ago. Back then, it was a fairly new development, but it is now used the world over. We welcome more than 850 new patients a year and have seen more than 3,000 babies born thanks to the skill of our team. We are continuously looking at new ways to overcome fertility issues, through dedicated research, to make sure our patients always benefit from the latest infertility treatments available. Visit our Results page for more information about our birth rates.
I’m in a same-sex relationship and we would like to have a family. Can you help us?
Yes, we welcome many same-sex couples through our doors for pregnancy help, whether you need surrogacy, a donor egg or donor insemination. For information about the fertility treatments we offer to help you, visit our Treatments page.
I already have a child but I’m having problems getting pregnant again. Is there something wrong with me?
Secondary infertility – the inability to have a second or third child despite have a successful pregnancy before – is not uncommon. But you may be worrying over nothing. Remember, infertility isn’t defined until you’ve been having regular, unprotected sex for up to two years without falling pregnant, so it could just be that this time it’s taking longer than before to conceive. Your age could also be a factor, remember that fertility starts to decline from age 30 onwards and even more so from age 35. But if you think you need fertility help, don’t hesitate seeing your GP.
Do you offer fertility treatment via the NHS?
No, we do not offer fertility treatment on the NHS. Manchester Fertility Services is wholly a private fertility centre. You will have to meet certain criteria to be eligible for NHS infertility treatment, there may be a waiting list and the amount of treatment (cycles) you will receive varies from region to region. Some primary care trusts offer the three recommended cycles of IVF, some only offer one and some trusts don’t offer any at all. It is possible to apply for your NHS funding to be transferred to a private clinic. Information can be found from the Infertility Network UK.
Is there a waiting list for infertility treatment at Manchester Fertility Services?
No, there is no waiting list for infertility treatment using donor sperm, IVF, intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI), ovulation induction and intrauterine insemination. However egg donors are in extremely short supply and so therefore the waiting list is long if you need infertility treatment using a donor egg. We always need more egg donors so if you want to find out more visit Manchester Donors.
I want to get pregnant but I’m over 40 years of age, can you help me conceive?
Yes, we do infertility procedures for women up to the age of fifty. Your options will include ovarian stimulation, and intrauterine insemination or IVF. For more details, call Manchester Fertility Services on 0161 227 0010 or come and see us at one of our regular open evenings. Be sure to check out details of our forthcoming dates.
What hours are you open?
Being flexible with our opening times is vital for our patients at Manchester Fertility Services, they need to be able to see us at times convenient to them. Our current opening times are 7.30 am - 4.00 pm. You will always see the most appropriate staff member for your needs.
I know what IVF is, but what is ICSI?
Intracytoplasmic sperm injection – ICSI – is used in conjunction with a traditional IVF procedure when the fertility issue lies with sperm disorders, for example a low sperm count, poor quality sperm or poor sperm motility. It gives hope to people who have a sperm problem, but who want to use their own sperm to conceive and not a donor’s.
With ICSI, eggs and sperm are collected in exactly the same way as in IVF. The best sperm are selected and a single sperm is injected directly through the egg membranes to achieve fertilisation. The procedure then follows usual IVF, with embryos transferred to the woman’s uterus to continue growing as in a normal pregnancy.
I don’t want children yet but I’m worried about my fertility as I get older. What help can I get?
It’s natural to be concerned about your fertility, or ‘biological clock’. But there is an easy way to find out how fertile you are, and if there are any underlying issues, before you start even thinking about trying for a baby. We offer a ‘Fertility MOT’ at Manchester Fertility Services.
It’s a series of simple tests for you and your partner to find out how fertile you are and if indeed there are any issues which may affect your chances of conceiving in the future. That way, you are fully aware and prepared for when you do want to start a family. For details of the treatment and prices, visit our Fees page.