Gamete donation or access to donors is a major driver for fertility patients who travel for IVF abroad. This article introduces a new platform which enables providers to promote gamete donation.
As a former fertility patient, I know how difficult it can be having to accept that you need treatment. On reflection, that is the easy part. After acceptance comes consideration. Twenty years ago when my partner and I had to consider our options we had little access to information.
Fast forward twenty years and things have changed. Fertility patients literally have the world at their fingertips. From our living rooms we can order home test kits; send samples safely, and undergo nurse and medical consultations.
Would this have made things much easier for my partner and I? You would assume so, and in many ways, I think it would.
Then, unlike now, three major things were missing. We didn’t have the sophisticated internet we have now. Relatively few clinics had an online presence. Secondly, we didn’t have access to support. Just type ‘fertility support’ and see what is available now! Thirdly, and as a direct result of the first two, we didn’t really have choice. For us, this meant our local NHS hospital after a private consultation, undertaken by the same consultant.
Today, fertility patients have access to each of these things in abundance. Surely, that makes things so much easier.
Well, who do you trust? Do all clinics provide treatments with success rates ‘well above average’ and provide a ‘personalised’ service like no other? Marketing makes the world go around, and although reading between the lines takes some time, it is time you should spend.
The number of support platforms has ballooned over the last decade. With roots in the philanthropic field where support came free, they have grown into a significant business opportunity for some. Fortunately, there are good ones out there, many created from personal experience, but chose carefully.
Fertility patients now have choice. The world is getting smaller. Travel now satisfies our medical needs as well as our leisure needs. Despite the best efforts of Covid-19, we are free to travel once more. This has enabled fertility patients to consider many different paths, offered by different providers in different countries. But once again, with literally thousands of options, which is the one for you?
The fertility journey for my partner and I is over but for all of you coming behind us, there are plus points. You have choice albeit with certain caveats. Choose wisely and the majority of you will have a successful end to your journey just like ours.
Eddie Kuan (The Fertility Medication Centre, Mediserve Clinic) has set up Donor International. The platform acts as a gatekeeper for those offering and requiring donor treatment.
Donor International will make donor identification and access easier. It will allow the best clinics and banks to share donor availability. Finally, wherever you may travel, and whatever treatment you decide upon, it will offer transparent and qualified information.
Contact [email protected] for more information about Donor International.
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