Nearly 1.5 million cycles of fertility treatment have taken place in the last 20 years, according to data collected by the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority (HFEA). With a steady increase in those accessing treatment and the trend looking to continue, more and more of us will be preparing for fertility treatment this year.
What to know before starting fertility treatment
It’s normal to have questions before beginning fertility treatment. If you are new to the world of fertility, you may be unsure what questions you should even be asking. Our patients often report that the most helpful thing for them before they started treatment was the clear information and advice our team provided.
“Myself and my partner received excellent care from all the staff at Manchester Fertility. Everyone we encountered throughout our fertility journey provided us with clear information and supported us with compassion. We are so grateful for everything you have done for us.” – Manchester Fertility patient
Feeling prepared for treatment will feel different for each person. This blog covers the most common areas that can help you feel more confident before you begin, from choosing the right fertility clinic to understanding the IVF process and tips for feeling ready to expand your family.
Choosing your fertility clinic
With many clinics offering fertility services across the UK, deciding where to look can feel daunting. The best place to start is by assessing your priorities and non-negotiables. Knowing what you want will help you narrow down your options.
Are you looking for a clinic close to home for convenience, or are you willing to travel for a particular expertise? Consider the clinic's reputation, success rates, and services. Additionally, look at their communication style. Are pre-treatment appointments conducted virtually or in person? Do they offer support services, such as counselling and patient forums? Do they offer a patient app to help you stay informed throughout your journey?
To select a clinic that aligns with your needs, it can be helpful to visit or talk to the teams that would be supporting you. At Manchester Fertility, we offer free 1-2-1 discovery appointments to help you understand your fertility options and get a feel for whether the clinic is right for you. We can discuss the treatment process, pricing and funding options, and share information about our team, or anything else you would like to know before you start your treatment journey.
The IVF process at Manchester Fertility
The fertility treatment process varies slightly across clinics. Understanding the step-by-step process at your chosen clinic can help you feel prepared when it’s time to start treatment. Here’s what to expect during an IVF journey with Manchester Fertility.
1. Initial Investigations
If you’re new to fertility treatment, you’ve not had any recent fertility tests or scans, we would start with investigations to assess your fertility. If you’re transferring your care to us from another clinic, we may be able to use your previous assessments at this stage.
2. Doctors' Consultation
Our doctors will discuss the results of your tests with you so we can personalise your IVF cycle to maximise your chances of success.
3. Fertility medication
You start your ovarian stimulation by using tailored doses of fertility drugs to help you produce mature eggs.
4. Egg collection
Your egg collection takes place in our clinic theatre under ultrasound guidance with our specialist team of doctors, nurses, and anaesthetists.
5. Insemination & Fertilisation
After your eggs have been collected, the sperm sample is carefully added to your eggs by our expert embryologists. Your eggs will then be monitored by our embryology team for signs of fertilisation. The resulting embryos are placed in an incubator, where they grow for the next two to five days. Our embryologists will keep you updated on the progress of your embryos.
6. Embryo transfer
For your embryo transfer, you will visit the clinic where our team will make you comfortable in our ward. Then the embryo chosen by our embryologists is transferred under ultrasound guidance into your uterus by our fertility consultants in our specially designed embryo transfer room.
7. Post-transfer
Any remaining good-quality embryos that are not transferred can be frozen and stored for future cycles. You can take an at-home pregnancy test around two weeks after your embryo transfer. If your test is positive, you will be booked for your early pregnancy scan about three weeks later.
At Manchester Fertility, our expertise runs through our entire team. With nearly 40 years of experience, we bring this knowledge to every treatment cycle and every interaction you have with our clinic.
Preparing yourself holistically for treatment in 2026
Beyond understanding the treatment process, our patients often want to know how they can feel more holistically prepared. We’ve put together our top tips on common topics so you can feel ready to expand your family mentally, physically, and financially.
How to mentally prepare for treatment
One of the best ways to feel mentally ready for your fertility journey is to educate yourself on what your path ahead will look like. No matter when or where you start your fertility journey, it needs to be the right decision for you and having a clear and in-depth understanding of your options will help you make an informed choice.
Considering the ‘what ifs’ before your treatment starts can help tackle potential issues head-on. This might involve talking to your existing support systems or seeking an external opinion for professional advice. We offer counselling before every treatment cycle, and our team can provide extra resources when needed throughout your journey.
How to physically prepare for treatment
You can physically prepare your body by adjusting your lifestyle before starting treatment. We all understand the importance of the basics, but life can often get in the way. Prioritising sleep, moderate activity, a balanced diet, and reducing stress are the best ways to help your body prepare for the best possible treatment outcome.
How to financially prepare for treatment
By exploring your funding options, you might be surprised by how accessible fertility treatment can be. If you don’t qualify for NHS funding, there are alternative routes that can help make treatment more affordable:
Our low-cost IVF programme, Essential Fertility, is a nurse-led pathway designed for patients who meet specific clinical criteria and are looking for a more affordable treatment option without compromising quality of care.
We also work with Access Fertility, which offers a variety of financing options, including interest-free plans and treatment packages, to help spread the cost of fertility treatment.
Our team is here to guide you through the available options and help you understand which approach is most suitable for you.
However you’re going to fund your treatment, we pride ourselves on being transparent with our pricing so you know exactly how much you will be charged before committing to any treatment. You can find a breakdown of our latest prices and your funding options on our pricing page.
Get started
If you’re ready to start fertility treatment in 2026, you can get started by booking your free 1-2-1 discovery appointment today.
Last updated: 23rd March 2026
