Comment on The Sunday Times article

An article appearing in the Sunday Times today (29th April 2012) refers to an incident reported to the regulatory authority in January this year and the allegation that an incorrect sperm sample may have been used in a fertility procedure at the London Women's Clinic.

Because the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Act imposes strict restrictions on the disclosure of identifying information regarding sperm donors or patients, the London Women's Clinic is unable to provide specific comment on this case.

However, an independent expert review of the Clinic’s procedures has already confirmed their adequacy, and an audit of every single stored vial of donor sperm confirms their suitability for use in fertility treatments.

The clinic is assisting the regulatory authority with its ongoing review of the reported incident, and until that review is completed no definite conclusions or explanation for any findings can be made.

London Women's Clinic has a reputation for expert care in the treatment of infertility and performs those treatments to the very highest standards. However, the Sunday Times report may well raise questions among patients, which we are happy to answer. If you have concerns, please call 020 7908 3864 to speak to a qualified professional.

Coping with infertility

Fertile Thinking Workshop

A one day programme to assist practically and emotionally as you try to conceive...and beyond

The London Women's Clinic are delighted to announce that they have further increased their range of services to patients by creating a one day workshop with a mind-body approach integrating both Cognitive Behavioural and Coaching techniques.

The new workshops bring to life a range of coaching activities included in the book Fertile Thinking written by Anya Sizer, Fertility Support Co-ordinator at the LWC, with Cat Dean.  The workshops will enable people to recognise different ways to acknowledge and manage the stress associated with fertility treatment and all partipants will receive a copy of Fertile Thinking.  

The first Fertile Thinking workshop will take place on Saturday 23rd June at the LWC London and is available to all LWC patients. The one day workshop costs £150 which is fully refundable against fertility treatment at the LWC.

For more information contact us.

Treatments

Frozen Embryo Transfer (FET)

Spare embryos from your IVF treatment can be frozen for future use, depending on their quality. Embryos are stored removing the fluid from inside the cells before freezing them in liquid nitrogen. Your embryos can be stored for up to ten years for future treatment if you're first cycle was unsuccessful or for siblings. Freezing is complex and you should bear in mind that success rates can be reduced when you are using frozen embryos.

Natural cycle

A frozen embryo transfer can be either stimulated or unstimulated.  During an unstimulated (natural) cycle), the embryo(s) are replaced at the corresponding time in the cycle depending on the stage of embryo development.  

Stimulated cycle

With a stimulated cycle, you will need to take medication to go through the process of down-regulation. This temporarily shuts down your ovaries and prevents any eggs from being released. You will have a scan on day two or three of your period and start taking medication to prepare your womb for the embryo transfer. A second ultrasound scan at day eight or nine will be performed to check the thickness of your endometrium.  Once it is of the appropriate thickness we can start the embryo thawing process and book your transfer.

Embryo thawing

Our embryology team will inform you of how well your embryos have survived the thawing process and if they are of good enough quality for your transfer to take place. Sometimes embryos do not survive the thawing process. If this happens, we will book you a review appointment with one of our specialists to discuss your options going forward.

Embryo transfer

The embryo transfer is similar to a smear test. It may cause some minimal discomfort. The culture medium containing one or two embryos is loaded into a thin catheter with a syringe on the end. The doctor carefully guides the catheter through the vagina and cervix, and deposits the embryo(s) into the uterus. Implantation begins three to four days later.

Downloads

Frozen Embryo Transfer information sheet

Other treatment options

Embryo freezing

Any embryos that are of good enough quality and 'leftover' from your IVF/ICSI treatment can be frozen for later use.  A frozen embryo that has been thawed, is slightly less likely to implant into the lining of the uterus than fresh embryos, so we are very selective about the embryos we choose to freeze.  We will freeze good quality embryos on day three or blastocysts on day five or six of development.  Even if you become pregnant in your initial attempt you may wish to use frozen embryos, if possible, to expand your family at a later date.

Embryos are frozen at an extremely low temperature with the use of the vitrification method.  Vitrification is a technique whereby embryos are cooled at very fast rates in higher than former concentrations of permeating cryoprotectants/freeze-protecting solutions in order for the cell fluid/cytoplasm of the embryo to appear to be in a glass-like state i.e. it 'vitrifies'. 

Other treatment options

Blastocyst culture & assisted hatching

Blastocyst culture

Normally, following IVF or ICSI, an embryo transfer would be performed two days after the egg collection (when the embryo contains two to four cells) or three days after (when the embryo contains six to nine cells).  However, with improvements in culture media we now can culture embryos for five or six days more successfully that in the past.  By this stage the embryos have numerous cells (approximately 100) and start to form two distinct layers.  The embryos are then known as blastocysts and it is at this stage that embryos start to implant in the womb.

The consensus of thought at present is that if an embryo reaches the blastocyst stage outside the body, it only has to endeavour to try and implant, whereas transferring the embryo on day three means that the embryo has to first try and develop to the blastocyst stage and then after this has to try and implant.

Assisted hatching

The most common reason for an IVF or ICSI cycle to fail is because embryos fail to implant.  Before an embryo can implant into the lining of the uterus it must 'hatch' out of its 'shell'.  This usually occurs five or six days following fertilisation.

There are many reasons why successful implantation does not occur.  One of these reasons may be due to the fact that the embryo is unable to 'hatch' because the 'shell' (zona pellucida) is too thick, or too hard.  Assisted hatching is a laboratory procedure whereby a hole is made in the 'shell' of a two or three-day old embryo in order to help in the 'hatching' process and therefore, help with the implantation of the embryo into the endometrium.  This two or three day old embryo is then placed back into the womb.

Downloads

Blastocyst culture information sheet

Assisted Hatching information sheet

IUI

Three cycle IUI package

Here at the London Women's Clinic our aim is to make treatment less stressful and more affordable.

Results worldwide demonstrate that success rates improve when treatment is undertaken as a course of treatment and not as a one-off attempt.

Fertility treatment, when charged on a cycle-by-cycle basis, may prove an expensive approach, but at the London Women's Clinic the three-cycle package offers three treatments for the price of two. Response to the idea has been tremendous and success rates are good.

We have found that patients are more relaxed from the outset if they know that they have further opportunities for pregnancy. And our results show without doubt that the 'cumulative' rate of success is always higher than that from one cycle.

The three cycle IUI package can be undertaken on both natural and stimulated cycles.  Please contact the clinic for more details.

What our patients say...

"We paid for the three cycle package so that if the first cycle didn't work we would still know that 'all was not lost'...We hoped that it would give us something positive to focus on and we didn't have to worry about if we should try again because we had paid for another try..." Beth Jeanes (now has two healthy happy twins)

"My husband and I felt that by taking the three cycle package of IVF there wasn't much pressure to get pregnant the first time round.  I saw the whole thing as a process, and in my mind, I was trying to be positive but yet realistic at the same time...The LWC staff were so helpful with our decision making and put my mind at ease the whole time...I would recommend the three cycle package 100%" Samantha Aziz (now has two healthy happy twins)

"I used all three cycles before getting pregnant - it was a relief to know in the end that I had a few more goes at it without the money worries and on the last go I started to get concerned again if it did not work - but thankfully it did!" Lisa Wainwright (currently pregnant)

"If we did need all three cycles, it was better value - which, to us, made it feel like a win-win situation.  It also meant that when a cycle failed, we already had another course of action (the next cycle) lined up, which mentally helped us cope with the disappointment and gave us another possibility of hope to focus on" Lexie Bebbington

"Knowing that we had two remaining cycles in the bank gave us some 'breathing space' to try a different protocol knowing that we had another cycle for any last ditch effort." Nicola Blackler (currently pregnant with twins)

Downloads

IUI information sheet

Coping with infertility

Fertility Support Group

The London Women's Clinic support group is for LWC patients and non patients who find themselves trying to cope with the demands of fertility treatment.  The group is held once a month to share experiences, offer peer support and swap ideas and resources on how to help cope during this time.  The group is very informal, lively and incredibly warm.  

Everyone is welcome no matter what stage of treatment they are at and no matter what their specific circumstances. The group is proud to always have a mixture of heterosexual, same sex couples and single women all attending with the same hope of creating their own unique family.  It is realising that you are not alone in this situation which is one of the key elements to the success of the group.

Upcoming Support Groups:

Monday 21st May 7pm-8:30pm

Monday 25th June 7pm-8:30pm

Here are some of the thoughts from those who have attended the support group...

"The group gives such a support feel.  It is so important in a process that is so full of frustration, tension and sense of failure."

"The group was great in that it helped us realise we're neither alone, nor weird in what we have been experiencing through our IVF journey so far."

"It is super that the LWC opens up the support group to those not receiving treatment there.  It was lovely to meet other people going through similar experiences."

"I have never before attended any sort of support group, mainly because I am rubbish at talking about me.  It really helped me to listen to others share their story and on the train on the way home I felt my feelings were normal.  I also felt slightly less alone and for that I thank you so much."

The LWC Support Group is ran by Anya Sizer, Fertility Support Co-ordinator at the LWC London.  Contact Anya: anya.sizer@londonwomensclinic.com 

Egg donation and egg-sharing

Egg donation from your partner

Egg donation from a partner is becoming increasingly popular among lesbian couples who wish to start a family.  The appeal of this treatment lies in the fact that both partners can be actively involved - with one providing the eggs (the genetic mother) and the other carrying the pregnancy (the birth mother). 

Between you, you will need to decide which partner will be the birth mother and which will be the genetic mother.  Often partners choose this for their first child and then decide to switch around if they have any subsequent children enabling both partners to experience being the genetic and the birth mother.

Why not egg-share?

Egg donation with your partner can also be carried out in conjunction with the LWC's egg-sharing programme, which enables women under 35 who are donating eggs to their partner to also donate eggs to the LWC egg-sharing programme in order to receive heavily subsidised treatment.  As well as being under the age of 35, you will need to be healthy, free from infectious and hereditary diseases, have a BMI of under 30 and have not had more than two failed IVF attempts.

How partner to partner and egg-sharing works

 

Downloads

Egg-sharing and egg donation information sheet

Egg donation and egg-sharing

Egg-sharing

Egg-sharing is an IVF treatment which brings together women having conventional IVF (the sharer) with those unable to produce their own eggs (the recipient).  Egg-sharing enables these two groups of women to help one another - egg-sharers receive free IVF treatment, whilst recipients receive the eggs they need for IVF.  

How egg-sharing works

The sharer has conventional IVF treatment, involving ovarian stimulation, egg collection and embryo transfer. But half the eggs collected are randomly allocated to the recipient, whose uterus is prepared for embryo transfer with hormone therapy. The recipient's allocated eggs are fertilised with her partner's or donor sperm and transferred as in conventional IVF. Good results have been reported for both sharers and recipients, suggesting that the one does neither better or worse than the other.

Egg-sharing success rates

To become an egg-sharer, you'll need to be 35 or under. But not everyone will be eligible, so before applying it's worth checking if you fulfil the additional criteria established by the UK's regulatory body, the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority (HFEA). You can click here for the full criteria.

Egg-sharing has become very popular at the London Women's Clinic, but especially as a fertility treatment for lesbian and single women. These are patients whose only 'cause' of infertility is the lack of a male partner; success rates are very high.

Downloads

Egg-sharing and egg donation information sheet

About us

Jobs at the LWC

Fertility Nurse

An exciting full time opportunity has arisen for a highly motivated and committed registered nurse as part of a small, yet busy team at our licensed fertility clinic based in Harley Street.

The successful candidate will be part of a dynamic multidisciplinary team, working to provide excellent patient care for individuals and couples in all aspects of fertility treatment.  It is therefore essential that applicants have prior experience within a private fertility clinic including a good understanding of IVF/ICSI treatments and protocols and assisting with egg collection and embryo transfer procedures.  Experience and/or knowledge of sperm donation, egg donation and egg-sharing is highly desirable.

As a leading provider of private fertility services we require candidates to have outstanding communication and interpersonal skills, as well as the ability to work effectively under pressure whilst offering exceptional patient care at all times.  The London Women's Clinic is proud to be ISO:9001 accredited and candidates who have previously worked within this framework are highly desirable. 

This is a full-time position of 40 hours per week with weekend work on a rota basis.  We are offering a competitive salary, dependent on experience.  Please note that the successful candidate will be required to have an enhanced CRB check - the cost of which will be met by The London Women's Clinic.

Appicants who meet the criteria for the position above and have the right to work and live in the UK are invited to send their CV with covering letter to Louise Campbell, HR Co-ordinator, via email at louise.campbell@londonwomensclinic.com or post to The London Women's Clinic 113-115 Harley Street, London W1G 6AP.

JD Healthcare Ltd and its subsidiaries strictly adhere to the Equality Act (2010) and provide equal opportunities to applicants, staff and patients from all demographic backgrounds.

Other treatment options

Embryo screening

With fewer and fewer embryos now replaced in each transfer cycle of IVF, embryo selection has become more important than ever. Traditionally, embryos are chosen according to their appearance under the microscope after three or five days of development in the incubator. However, in the past few years additional techniques of selection have been introduced which use high-tech methods to screen embryos for genetic and chromosomal information. Some studies have shown that as many as 50% of embryos are chromosomally abnormal, and, if transferred, such embryos may fail to implant in the uterus or later miscarry. The risk of chromosomal abnormalities - such as Down's syndrome - increases with maternal age.

The London Women's Clinic has begun to use new techniques of embryo analysis which indicate the chromosomal health of each embryo. The idea is that only good-looking embryos without chromosome abnormalities are transferred, thus reducing the risk of pregnancy failure.

PGD

The technique of preimplantation genetic diagnosis (PGD) can be performed successfully in couples who are known to be at risk of passing on an inherited genetic disease to their children; however, this is a complex and demanding treatment, and appropriate only for couples known to be carriers of a genetic mutation.

It's fair to say that PGD has revolutionised the prospects of parenthood for couples who are known carriers, for example, the cystic fibrosis gene mutation.  By identifying and transferring those embryos without the mutation, carrier couples can be reassured that their baby will not be affected.

However, the application of the same technology as a screening measure (preimplantation genetic screening, PGS) requires a number of embryos created by IVF or ICSI and mainly screens for chromosomal abnormalities such as Down's syndrome.

CGH

The technique of comparative genomic hybridization (CGH) is when a cell from the developing embryo has all of its chromosomes screened for additions, omissions and abnormal forms.  This test can be useful for looking for Down's syndrome (which is usually as a result of there being three instead of two of chromosome 21) and other chromosome abnormalities.  CGH is still experimental and is being tested in a clinical trial at the LWC.  Please get in touch to find out more about the trial and how you can get involved.

Downloads

Pre-implantation screening information sheet

CGH trial information sheet

Coping with infertility

Anya Sizer

Fertility Support Co-ordinator

My name is Anya Sizer and I am the Fertility Support Co-ordinator for the London Women’s Clinic and also the very proud mum of two IVF children; a journey which took six years and odds of 1 in 125,000 to achieve my goal.

For the last six years I have run my own coaching practice specialising in infertility support and stress management. I have seen many clients through the highs and lows as a result of treatment. I have been privileged to meet a large number of very special babies.

Anya Sizer with her two children Hope and Barney

I run support workshops, and regularly give talks about the emotional impact of infertility. I am also often used in the media as a spokesperson for the many people facing infertility.

I am a Trustee for the Infertility Network UK and have run fertility support groups for the last 2 years. July 2010 saw the publication of my first book "Fertile Thinking" a self help guide for coping with infertility. The book shares some of the stress management tools I use with clients as well as sharing some inspirational stories of others who have had to fight to create their family.

My seminars are now provided through the LWC. Infertility may well be one of the most stressful times in a person’s life but the LWC is committed to supporting every person through their own unique circumstances.

Contact Anya: anya.sizer@londonwomensclinic.com 

Testimonials

Testimonials

Here are the words of just a few of the many patients we’ve had the pleasure of helping.

"We thank you all so much from the bottom of our hearts and can’t put into words how happy you guys have made us... the whole experience from start to finish has been fantastic." Rosalind and Tracey Markham-Stephens, Woking, Surrey

"From the initial email we sent, staff have been helpful and informative and responses have been quick... It has been great to be treated as individuals during this difficult time, instead of feeling that we are an added burden to already long waiting lists." Esther and James Pike, Norwich, Norfolk

"I was very impressed with the clinic. Every single member of staff made me feel most welcome and at home. You deserve an award." LWC London patient, Belfast

"I would like to thank you for all your help with my treatment... My best wishes to you all and I hope that you continue to put a smile on the faces of your patients." Mrs Sejal Shah, London

"We cannot thank you and your team enough for what you have done for us. When everything seemed impossible, you and your staff made our dream come true." Teresa and Gordon Lane, Welling, Kent

"All I can say is that as a chap visiting this clinic with my wife over the last twelve months has been a pleasure.  The treatment and service has been both professional and top banana." John, Oxfordshire 

Egg-sharing

Become an egg-sharer

Egg-sharing is an IVF treatment which brings together women having conventional IVF (the sharer) with those unable to produce their own eggs (the recipients). Egg-sharing enables these two groups of women to help one another - egg-sharers receive free IVF treatment, whilst recipients receive the eggs they need for IVF. So if you decide on egg-sharing, whether as sharer or recipient, you'll be helping both yourself and someone else become a mum.

If you would like more information on becoming an egg-sharer or an egg recipient please fill in the form below and we will be in touch.

Contact us if you have any questions or are interested in egg-sharing

I am interested in becoming an egg-sharer

I am interested in becoming an egg recipient

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The clinic will treat your personal information with the same confidentiality that we treat our patient information. We do not share information with any other organisation.

Treatments

Gynaecology scanning services

The London Women’s Clinic in Harley Street offers a full range of gynaecological scanning services. The scans are performed by ultrasound and provide a visualisation of the uterus, ovaries and surrounding areas to determine a possible cause of

• pelvic pain
• unexplained bleeding
• heavy and or painful periods
• bleeding after the menopause

Some of the conditions which may need a scan to assist in investigations include

• ovarian cysts
• ovarian cancer screening
• premature ovarian failure (early menopause)
• polycystic ovaries
• fibroids and polyps

Most gynaecological ultrasound scans are performed using a transvaginal probe to provide an image on a TV monitor. The scan is a quick and painless procedure which takes approximately 20–30 minutes to complete. Results of the scan and any treatment options are provided during this appointment.

You can book an appointment for gynaecology scanning with a GP referral or as a self-referral. Please contact us for more information and to book an appointment.

Downloads

Gynaecology Scanning Information Sheet

Other treatment options

Ovulation induction

Whereas ovarian stimulation for IVF and ICSI aims to produce several eggs for collection (in women who are usually ovulating), ovulation induction aims to stimulate just one (or two) in women who are not ovulating normally. The treatment is most often used in women with polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS), a condition characterised by multiple ovarian cysts, irregular or absent periods, and high levels of male (androgen) hormones.

The treatment is a course of fertility hormones to stimulate the ovaries to produce a mature follicle, and then timed intercourse to coincide with ovulation. But, because women with PCOS often react very sensitively to fertility drugs, there is a real risk of multiple follicle production and multiple pregnancy. Regular monitoring with ultrasound and hormone measurements is therefore necessary to ensure only one or two follicles are developing.

Cumulative results from several cycles of treatment can be very high. Contact us for more information. 

What is infertility?

Should I seek help?

Wondering whether or not to seek help?

Have a look at the checklist below:

If you answer 'yes' to any of the questions above, then it is probably worth taking the time to see one of our consultants at the London Women's Clinic.  Of course, answering 'yes' to any of the statements doesn’t necessarily mean anything is wrong; it just makes sense to save yourself some time and worry. Click here to contact the clinic for some more information on how we can help. 

What is infertility?

Investigations

Diagnosis

The 'diagnosis' of a true cause of infertility has become less important today than it was a few years ago, and our tests today are as much 'prognostic' as 'diagnostic'. But investigation is still necessary to determine whether the infertility is of male or female cause, and of what duration. These questions can be largely answered by a semen analysis test and by a careful history-taking in discussion with your consultant. It will be important, for example, to know how long you have been trying to conceive, your cycle regularity, or fluctuations in weight. And of course your age will be an important indicator - both of your fertility status and likely outcome to treatment.

Further Tests

Even if the male partner's sperm is normal (of adequate sperm count and motility) and we assume a 'female' cause, further invasive tests are rarely necessary. Keyhole laparoscopy, for example, would allow visualisation and treatment of the reproductive tubes or uterus, but, if IVF is the likely treatment, laparoscopy will rarely be helpful. A pelvic examination, however, will be performed on the female partner, as well as an ultrasound scan to check the presence of ovarian cysts.

Blood tests will be necessary to measure hormone levels: FSH, for example, will provide an indication of ovarian function, while the measurement of Anti-Mullerian Hormone will provide an evaluation of ovarian reserve. These tests will also help your consultant decide on the most appropriate treatment and the likelihood of success. A Chlamydia screening test may be useful to suggest the possibility of pelvic inflammatory disease and damaged Fallopian tubes. Such a suspicion may mean that diagnostic laparoscopy is necessary, which is performed under general anaesthetic. An above-normal level of (male) androgen hormones may also be suggestive of polycystic ovary syndrome.

Contact us to discuss your fertility investigations further.

Downloads

Before fertility treatment information sheet

LWC Foundation and links

LWC Foundation

Founded in 2010, the LWC Foundation provides grants to individuals and educational establishments in support of scientific research in reproductive medicine.  The Centre for Family Research at the University of Cambridge and Swansea University were the first two establishments to be chosen as grant recipients, both of whose areas of research are closely associated with the LWC. 

In addition we have also made a grant to an exceptional charity called Vidya that runs educational establishments for underprivileged children in New Delhi.

Grant applications to the foundation will be considered by a board of Trustees, which comprises Dr Kamal Ahuja, the LWC's Scientific and Managing Director, Dr Shailaja Nair, a Consultant Gynaecologist working in IVF at the LWC, and Mimi Arian-Schad Nurse Manager at the LWC London.

Publications

LWC publications

A decade of egg-sharing

To review the early days – and to recognise egg-sharing in its proper place in the treatment of infertility today – the LWC has produced a booklet recording the detail and experience of many early and recent patients.  The booklet also reviews the ethical arguments in favour of egg-sharing, making a strong case for the altruistic motive of sharing and the desire of many sharers to simply help another couple have a baby. 

Stonewall booklets

The London Women’s Clinic has developed a strong relationship with gay campaigning group Stonewall and is proud to have sponsored three information booklets for gay women and gay men.

Pregnant Pause is a booklet for lesbian women looking to start a family. The guide features useful information from how to get pregnant, through the stages of pregnancy, to the laws affecting lesbian women and their children.

A guide for gay dads, sponsored by the London Sperm Bank, offers useful information gay men looking to become a father.  The guide covers all of the options available for gay men looking to start a family from adoption and fostering through to surrogacy, co-parenting and also donating sperm. 

Different Families is our latest publication which features research on the family and school experiences of children with lesbian and gay parents.  Commissioned by Stonewall, the booklet features original research by the Centre for Family Research at the University of Cambridge.  

Legal advice

Of course, fertility treatment is not just about conceiving, but also about starting a family. This is why we have also published a legal advice booklet which summarises how the law applies to a range of patient scenarios.

 

For your free copy of any of our booklets please complete and send us the form below.

Title

Name

Age

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Please indicate whether you would like to receive any additional information by post:

LWC brochure
Legal advice
Pregnant Pause (a lesbian pregnancy guide)
Different families: experiences of children with gay parents
Egg-sharing
Gay Dads

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Please choose which clinic you wish to contact:

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The clinic will treat your personal information with the same confidentiality that we treat our patient information. We do not share information with any other organisation.

Treatments

Surrogacy in the UK

Surrogacy is a very complicated treatment, with so many potential challenges that most arrangements are co-ordinated through a surrogate agency. However, it is important to note that 'commercial' surrogacy in the UK - in which the gestational carrier receives payment - is not allowed.

Surrogacy Treatment

Surrogacy treatment is mainly sought by couples in whom the female partner is unable or unwilling to deliver a baby safely. This may be because of illness or a problem with the uterus. There are two types of surrogacy available: the first in which the patient-couple (the intended parents) provides an embryo by IVF or ICSI which is then transferred to the surrogate mother for pregnancy and delivery (known as 'host surrogacy'); and the less common second in which the surrogate herself provides the egg which is fertilised by a semen sample from the male patient partner (with intrauterine insemination). In the latter case, the female partner would have no genetic link to the baby, which would effectively be produced by egg donation and surrogacy.

The treatment is complex, with many potential difficulties over parenthood and citizenship (particularly when the surrogacy arrangement is performed overseas). Most successful arrangements require the involvement of a lawyer and very strict counselling. All surrogacy cases undertaken at the London Women's Clinic must have the approval of the clinic's Ethics Committee.

Gay Surrogacy

Surrogacy in the UK is becoming more popular among same sex male couples in which a surrogate and possibly another woman provides donor eggs.  These situations can be very complicated and we would urge any couples interested in this treatment to get in touch with the clinic for further details.

Downloads

Surrogacy information sheet

Coping with infertility

Fertility Support

Fertility Support is available at the London Women's Clinic London from fertility coach Anya Sizer with a programme of support designed to steer infertile couples through the stresses of infertility and its treatment. Some published research has shown that the outcome of treatment can be improved with a reduction in stress and that's a view that we accept here at the LWC.

Coaching is provided as individual sessions, support groups, or workshops, with an emphasis on monitoring and dealing with stress and the physical, psychological and practical ways to prepare for treatment.

Individual Coaching on Mondays and Wednesdays 10am-6pm
Individual sessions on supporting yourself through infertility

Support Group the last Monday of every month
To provide peer support and encouragement

Next Support Groups: Monday 26th March 6pm & Monday 30th April 7pm

Monthly Workshops held every six weeks
Workshops will be held on issues such as stress management, diet and exercise

Stress Management Workshops
These sessions aim is to reassure you that you are not alone and provide you with specific and personal tips that you can use during your treatment to help you deal with stress.

Points covered during the session are:

• The inevitability of stress during infertility
• How to start helping yourself
• Tools to monitor stress levels
• Physical, psychological and practical ways to help yourself
• Creating your own stress management plan and implementing it
• Questions and answers sessions

To find out more about the infertility support services that the clinic provides, please contact Anya Sizer anya.sizer@londonwomensclinic.com

Anya will be speaking at the Free Fertility Focus Telesummit between 12-17 March.  To join visit http://www.fertilityfocustelesummit.com/

Articles written by Anya for privatehealth.co.uk about coping with infertility and preconception care:

Managing the stress of infertility 1 

Managing the stress of infertility 2 

Diet advice for women undergoing fertility treatment 

 

Coping with infertility

Legal advice

The London Women’s Clinic's legal advice booklet summaries how the law applies to a range of patient scenarios. To receive a free copy please click here.

However, be aware that fertility law can be complicated and we would urge you to take appropriate legal advice before starting treatment. We work closely with law firm Natalie Gamble Associates who can help you with any legal advice surrounding fertility law.

Coping with infertility

Infertility counselling

The HFEA considers infertility counselling to be a key element in the provision of infertility services for all patients. We are sensitive to the emotions experienced by the infertile couple and the stress of the treatment itself. Infertility counselling is available to patients at any time and the first session is free of charge.

Implications counselling

Implications counselling provides an emotionally safe place in which to explore what treatment will involve and the lasting implications for you and those close to you. If you are using donated gametes (e.g. donor sperm, eggs or embryos) implications counselling is routine before you start treatment.

Support counselling

Recognising that going through fertility treatment can be distressing and have an impact on your relationships with others; support counselling provides an opportunity for you to explore your feelings, coping strategies and relationship issues (with partners, family, friends and colleagues). You might find that you need support at different stages of treatment, therefore support counselling can be undertaken before, during and after treatment.

Therapeutic counselling

Therapeutic counselling is provided to assist you in acceptance of your situation as well as providing, where required, longer-term support if you find fertility treatment distressing and in helping accept the consequences of ending treatment and to move on to other options.

For more information on infertility counselling at LWC London, please contact our fertility counsellor, Tracey Sainsbury, directly by email tracey.sainsbury@londonwomensclinic.com

About us

Patient care

The desire to have a child is an exciting and natural part of most people's lives. Unfortunately, many couples have difficulty in fulfilling this wish. The London Women’s Clinic provides a full range of fertility treatments in  to assist couples and individuals overcome these difficulties.

Our team of consultants and nursing staff has over 20 years' experience of diagnosing and treating gynaecology and fertility problems. We offer a full range of diagnostic and treatment programmes for both male and female fertility disorders.

The clinic operates one of the most successful IVF programmes in the world, with patients coming from as far away as the USA to receive treatment.

Our priority is you

Here at the LWC London we put you – our patient – first. We aim to provide individual solutions for individual people in a relaxed, caring and supportive environment. We always discuss each step of the programme carefully and explain the options available to you.

We are totally committed to offering all our patients the very best chance of achieving a successful outcome, a healthy baby.

The London Women's Clinic offers ongoing fertility support, pre-conception care and fertility counselling. 

Alternative families

Alternative Parenting Show

Alternative families have been our special interest for more than a decade when we began providing fertility treatment to lesbians and single women. So it is a privilege for the London Women’s Clinic to be the headline sponsor of the Alternative Parenting Show 2012 taking place at the Connaught Rooms in Covent Garden on 15th September. Following the success of last year’s show in which the LWC was also a sponsor, the 2012 show promises to be even bigger and better.

The show is for people looking to start a family with experts on hand to discuss all the options available to same-sex, male or female couples and to single people wanting to become a parent. Information seminars run throughout the day from conception to schooling.

Find out more about The Alternative Families Show 2011

Alternative families

Stonewall information booklets

The London Women’s Clinic has developed a strong relationship with gay campaigning group Stonewall and is proud to have sponsored three information booklets for gay men and women.

Pregnant Pause is a booklet for lesbian women looking to start a family. The guide features useful information from how to get pregnant, through the stages of pregnancy, to the laws affecting lesbian women and their children.

A Guide for Gay Dads, sponsored by the London Sperm Bank, offers useful information to gay men looking to become a father. The guide covers all of the options available for gay men looking to start a family from adoption and fostering through to surrogacy, co-parenting and also donating sperm.

Different Families is our latest publication which features research on the family and school experiences of children with lesbian and gay parents.  Commissioned by Stonewall, the booklet features original research by the Centre for Family Research at the University of Cambridge.

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Pregnant Pause (a lesbian pregnancy guide)
Different families: experiences of children with gay parents
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London Sperm Bank

Anonymity

The Human Fertilisation & Embryology Authority (HFEA) keeps a confidential register of information about donors, patients and treatments. The register was set up in 1991 and contains information concerning children conceived from licensed treatments from then onwards.

From 2008 people aged 16+ contemplating marriage, or those over 18 who ask the HFEA, will be told whether or not they were born as a result of licensed assisted conception treatment and, if so, whether they are related to the person they want to marry.

From 1st April 2005, the HFEA also required all gamete donors to provide identifying information via the donation clinic. Any child born as a result of sperm, egg or embryo donation now has the right at the age of 18 to this information. The HFEA will not disclose any information without first contacting the donor.

In the event that a donor fails to disclose relevant genetic medical history and a child is born with a disability, a court can require the HFEA to disclose the donor’s identity under the Congenital Disabilities Act (Civil Liabilities) Act 1976.

For more information please visit the HFEA website www.hfea.gov.uk