British couples seek alternative fertility treatment in the US

Mar 24 2010

With strict social and legal restrictions associated with third party reproduction, as well as limited egg donors available in the UK, an increasing number of British couples are traveling to the U.S. for alternative fertility treatments, such as egg donation. Unfortunately, the UK does not allow financial compensation for egg donors; this greatly reduces the number of available donors and presents major obstacles for many infertile couples, some of whom wait for an egg donor for two years or longer. Last year approximately 1200 egg donors were needed in the UK, and roughly 500 families were unable to find a donor.

“We are thrilled to be able to work with the esteemed fertility doctors in the UK and provide third-party reproductive options to couples in need. It is our goal to provide convenience and peace of mind, while adhering to the highest standards in patient care.”

After working with many international couples frustrated by the lack of options available in their own countries, Fertility Centers of Illinois (FCI) launched an in-house Egg Donor Program to respond to the growing demand. As one of the leading fertility treatment centers in the U.S., FCI collaborates closely with both UK doctors and patients to provide the necessary fertility options to help couples fulfill their family-building goals. FCI has quickly become a nationwide and global hub for alternative conception in the state of Illinois, due to the availability of its screened donors with a wide range of ethnic backgrounds.

To accommodate international patients, FCI’s egg donation and treatment process has been streamlined so that minimal travel to the U.S. is required. In order to provide a stress-free experience, all logistics are precisely coordinated with an experienced International Donor Team. In addition, while most other programs require numerous appointments at various locations - such as an egg donation office, fertility clinic, psychiatrist office and medical testing facility - FCI provides all services in one place. The leading treatment center also offers pre-implantation genetic screening (PGS), a cutting-edge technology to help couples select the most viable embryos prior to implantation, and improve their chances of a healthy live birth. This wide range of capabilities and technologies enables intended parents and donors to move through the treatment process quickly and conveniently.

Dr. Brian Kaplan, a reproductive endocrinologist with Fertility Centers of Illinois, explains how delighted he is to provide additional fertility services to couples who may otherwise have limited options. “We are thrilled to be able to work with the esteemed fertility doctors in the UK and provide third-party reproductive options to couples in need. It is our goal to provide convenience and peace of mind, while adhering to the highest standards in patient care.”

Setting the Industry Standard in Donor Selection

Further setting FCI’s donor program apart from other agencies, all donor applicants undergo an extensive pre-screening process that far exceeds the requirements of the American Society for Reproductive Medicine (ASRM). This process takes place prior to the potential donor being added to a database and possibly selected by intended parents. This is a critical step, not practiced elsewhere, which saves valuable time, stress and money. This also avoids the inconvenience of starting over, should a chosen donor fail the screening, and be unable to complete a treatment cycle.

Making Egg Donation Affordable for Everyone

To help overseas patients afford treatment and significantly boost their chance of pregnancy, FCI also offers the Attain IVF Refund Program, a unique treatment option designed to increase the odds for success. For patients that require the use of donor eggs, this one-of-a-kind financing program promises a baby or provides a full 100% refund.