Struggling to get pregnant? How to get the help you need

15th November 2012 in Advice

This information was correct at the time of publishing. It may not reflect our current practices, prices or regulations.

Are you trying for a baby but it’s taking longer than you expected? Are you worried that there may be something wrong with either you or your partner that is preventing you from conceiving?

You may think that the fact you’re not getting pregnant as soon as you’d hoped means you need infertility treatment such as IVF. But before you start researching clinics, here’s some advice about how to ensure you get the right help and what will typically happen:

Finding a clinic – NHS or Private?

If the tests your GP has run indicate a problem, you will then be referred to an infertility clinic. You will usually be directed to the local NHS unit but if you wish for your treatment to be carried out at a private clinic such as Manchester Fertility, then you can request a funding transfer. If your local NHS trust doesn’t provide funding for infertility treatment or you’re excluded because of their criteria, you can ask your GP for a direct referral to us or you can just make an appointment through our self refer service.

Research your clinic

Make sure you research any clinic carefully before you decide where to have your treatment. Look at success rates for your age group, and check live birth rates and make sure fees are all inclusive with no hidden costs if you’re going to a private clinic. Remember that your case is individual so although success rates are important, they’re only an indication. Go to the clinic’s open evenings if they have them, they are a great way to get a good idea of whether it’s the right clinic for you. You’ll get to meet the team of consultants and specialists who will be caring for you. Our latest open evening dates are here.

Consultation

    Your first consultation at your chosen clinic will usually involve going through the results of any tests you’ve already had, to ensure you understand fully the diagnosis. It’s at this appointment that a treatment plan will usually be proposed, which could help you have a baby. Dependent on the problem, it could be IVF or other treatments such as ICSI,IUI or ovarian stimulation. Your treatment plan should always be tailored to your needs, to give you the best chance of success. Always go to your initial consultation armed with questions – don’t be afraid to ask anything which is concerning or worrying you. It’s vital that you’re fully comfortable with any treatment offered and any good consultant will always be more than happy to answer your questions and put you at ease.

    Treatment commences

    If you’re happy with your treatment plan, you’ll then be given dates for when you can start treatment. Dependent upon what you need, your clinic may have a waiting list – especially if it involves donor eggs or sperm. However here at Manchester Fertility we have no waiting lists  for any of our treatments – including those involving a donor egg or donor sperm.

    Help & Support

    Any good fertility clinic will always make sure you have help and support before, during and after your treatment. At Manchester Fertility we place great emphasis on patient care. We know through our 25-plus years of treating infertility the emotional toll it takes and more often than not, you may just need a listening ear and someone to talk to who understands what you are going through. Our counselling team are here for you at every step of your journey and our nursing team have great experience in helping our many families through the ups and downs of treatment.

    If you’d like to talk to us about helping you have a family, please get in touch on 0161 300 2737. You can also use our Ask the Experts online Q&A, where you can post an anonymous question and our expert team will answer it and post a reply. It’s completely confidential, so you can ask us anything about your fertility or concerns.

    Last updated: 7th February 2024