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Opt for quality facilities to achieve success in fertility treatments

Dubai - A couple, who had been trying to conceive for the past five years without success, tells Khaleej Times why they chose the clinic they did and met success.

With plenty of fertility treatments being offered in the UAE, couples have to make choices based on their finances, the reputation of the treatment centres and quality of services being offered.
A couple, who had been trying to conceive for the past five years without success, tells Khaleej Times why they chose the clinic they did and met success.
Z.G., who got her treatment done at Bourn Hall and had a baby daughter in June last year, said: "We had been trying to conceive for five years before we came here. We looked at many places internationally and in the UAE before commencing our treatment here."
"We chose this clinic because I wanted a female doctor. From the very first appointment, we were very comfortable. This was one of the most stressful times of our lives, and the calm environment helped more than we can explain," she said. 
Costs are also a major factor in the selection of fertility treatment. "Finances were an issue for us which is why we took the time to find the right place," she said.
"We kept a budget of how much to spend but my advice to others is when you look at your beautiful child after they are born, money shouldn't even be an issue."
The main factor for Z.G. while choosing a clinic was the presence of female doctors. "A female doctor was very important for me, and I kept looking for one that made me feel comfortable," she said, adding that of course there were so many things to consider such as how many cases the clinic had done, what are the laws of the country, how many years of experience the doctor and the team have, their success rates and pricing.
"Every couple needs to have their own priorities of what matters most to them," she said.
Dr David Robertson, group medical director of Bourn Hall International, said that finding a doctor you connect with and feel comfortable with is an important step.
This is an important chapter that connects you to your dream of a family. "This doctor and health care team will lead you to achieve that goal, so it is critical that you have a bond of trust and caring," he said. 
He also said that it is important to ask questions about the laboratory. "This is the central component in any fertility clinic. The IVF lab is where fertilisation occurs, where the embryos are cultured before transfer, and where highly sophisticated procedures such as ICSI, assisted hatching, and genetic testing are performed," he said.
Bourn Hall has invested a lot in the laboratory and is the only 'clean room' lab in the Middle East. "This means the temperature, wavelength of lights, airflow are all an optimal environment for embryos to grow."
"While success rates are important to understanding, it is important to drill down on what success rates really mean - is it based on live birth rate or clinical pregnancy, is it aggregate success rates or based on age group," he said.
"Paying for IVF cycles can be a financially draining process, so check if your clinic provides financial flexibility such as payment plans," he added.
asmaalizain@khaleejtimes.com