I Nervously Sent The Deposit To My Third IVF Clinic. Here's Why I Chose Embryolab (Greece)
It's the last roll of the dice with my own eggs, so it was a crucial decision
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Two IVF cycles in 2024 using my own eggs brought mixed results. Will it be third time lucky?
When I started IVF in June 2024, I had no idea that it could take several cycles to reach a live birth.
And actually, not just several, but likely - many cycles - as a 43 year old woman.
You’ll see various stats for women in their 40s about the number of cycles to find a euploid egg.
Depending on which doctor you talk to, these golden nuggets might be 1 in every 8 eggs, or 1 / 10, or even 1 / 20.
I’ve stopped fixating on the numbers because, in my view, it’s a lottery.
Why?
Glance through fertility Facebook forums.
You’ll find some 43 year old women getting pregnant on the first IVF cycle. For others (including women with no known issues) the journey can be much longer.
In these forums, you’ll also see naturally occurring pregnancies among women 45 years upwards. For women with partners, it’s a wonderful outcome.
So here I am, rolling the dice again for 3 IVF cycles. The deposit is paid. The process is underway.
I already have that familiar giddy stirring in my stomach - the uncertainty about what’s to come.
I’m making peace with the chunks of money that will imminently be flying out of my bank account, as if a cruel magician is performing a magic trick.
I also appreciate having the money to even try. (I know it’s a privilege.)
On the near horizon are more injections, updating blood tests, a hysteroscopy later this month before I leave India; and another medicine protocol to follow.
I take a breath in, and a long exhale out.
At least I know what’s coming.
I’m a different person to the woman I was in June 2024. As my godmother remarked, “You were a bit naive, but you don’t know what you don’t know. It’s not your fault.”
She is right.
Now, I feel more in control.
(A weird thing to say, in such an inherently uncertain process.)
And yet my mind constantly churns over my choice of clinic.
Why?
Because I missed so many red flags when selecting my previous two clinics (Clinica Tambre in Alicante, Spain and the Institute of Life, Athens, Greece). The flags were a mix of the doctor not being right for me; the clinic’s flaky internal processes; or the lack of patient care.
Now, after more than 15 consultations cross 5 countries, I am clearer about what to look for.
Related read: I Got My First Fertility Consultation Totally Wrong. Here’s 3 Key Things I’m Doing Differently.
Free download: 10 Questions For Your Fertility Consultation
As I paid the deposit to Embryolab, my mind did cartwheels. It’s a huge decision because it’s the final roll of the dice using my own eggs (and donor sperm).
Is Embryolab definitely the right clinic for me?
Have I asked all the right questions? What have I missed?
Will I cope, emotionally and mentally, with another three cycles?
Here’s my rationale for choosing this clinic.
1. Reputation
Joanna at Fertility Clinics Abroad offers a brilliant free clinic-matching service. Her impartial insights about European clinics are so valuable.
Based on her feedback from patients and her knowledge of the clinic - Embryolab gets a big thumbs up.
That’s good enough for me.
(Here’s their overview on Greek clinics.)
2. Financial Transparency & Costs
Costs have been clearly outlined.
I requested a list of exactly what payments I would make, and when, based on two retrievals to bank, and then one retrieval and fresh transfer (best case scenario).
Marietta, the patient coordinator, outlined each payment. I don’t want any last minute surprises. Minimising stress is essential.
Once you’ve paid for an IVF cycle, you can undertake more egg retrievals for 900 euros (not including donor sperm and meds). This is far less than any other clinic I’ve found.
So if you’re undertaking several cycles, Embryolab is a cost effective option.
2. Communication & Accessibility
Embryolab’s comms is fantastic.
So responsive, so patient, so organised. It’s easy to communicate with Marietta. There is continuity - I’m not emailing with numerous people.
Embryolab has an online portal storing all my personal medical records. Calls are held on their secure comms system rather than Zoom or Skype. (Important given the data leak I experienced with URE Gutenberg!)
The vibe is professional. No hastily written emails, or price lists thrown over as if you’re booking a hair appointment.
My Embryolab doctor communicates clearly on calls. No language barrier issues. I have his email if I want to direct message.
3. Success Rate & Transparency
Interpreting stats is a tricky one.
Every clinic reports and measures differently. As much as UK clinics are regulated by the HFEA, verified stats only run to 2022. Clinics in other countries self-report.
More important to me is that a clinic sets realistic expectations. Unfortunately, this means hearing over and over how low your chances are of a live birth. But any good doctor should set your expectations.
While other clinics talked down my chances, Clinica Tambre in Alicante puffed me up with false optimism.
“Your stats are above average!”
So I foolishly invested in the clinic who seemed to be more confident of a positive outcome. Big mistake. When I made three aneuploid embryos, I was shattered.
I had to take a 4 month break to repair mind and body.
Precious time wasted.
Related read: 10 Red Flags (And Green Flags) To Look Out For When Choosing Your IVF Clinic
Useful link: HFEA’s guide for women over 38
5. Personalisation of Treatment
I’m repeating much of the protocol I used for my first cycle in Spain. Why?
Logistics.
Since I’m flying from India to Greece, using birth control brings predictability, so I can book flights from India (my winter home). Plus in July 2024, this protocol got me 5 mature eggs and 3 embryos.
Not bad for a 43 year old.
I’ll forever regret switching from Pergoveris to Meriofert for my second cycle. I’ve still no idea why my new doctor did this. And at the time, I didn’t know about advocating for myself.
Using the same stimulation drug doesn’t guarantee the same outcome. But at least I’ve some confidence that my body responds ok; and recovers quickly (unlike using Meriofert).
6. Logistics & Practicalities
Having treatment in Greece rather than a UK clinic is obviously not the most convenient option.
But I quickly ruled out the UK given the significant variations in patient experience. Plus the incredible expense, which isn’t justified by the quality of care.
If money was no object, the first UK doctor I’d hire is Dr Dimitri. His patients appreciate his personalised approach, and dedication to their unique circumstances.
But as a solo woman funding this alone, affordability is key.
While Spain was my comfort-zone, given my ancestry, the cost of an IVF cycle alone at some Spanish clinics is on par with the UK.
However in Spain, you can make savings on the cost of (anonymous) donor sperm: 400 euros against banks like Cryos charging a whopping 1600 euros (plus shipping!)
And in Spain, other add-ons like PGT-A (genetic testing the embryo) are typically cheaper, and ICSI comes as standard (not so in the UK).
I never realised I’d be a fully fledged ‘medical tourist’. I thought that was people going to countries like Turkey, for ‘teeth and t*ts’ work.
As for the medical and dental care in India?
My gyno is so empathic. And it’s affordable: the hysteroscopy is around 400 euros, against 1500 euros in Greece. Bloods and scans are cost effective, too.
In conclusion:
There is no perfect clinic.
There is only the right clinic for you. And this will naturally vary between women, depending on our priority wants and needs.
In short, look for a clinic where:
You get a positive feeling (‘meh’ is not good enough).
You don’t have any niggling worries.
You sense you are going to be treated as a person, not a number.
The doctor has a human feeling, and speaks to you as a human being.
You are certain enough that you could spend a period of time with the doctor, because you could be undertaking several cycles.
Ultimately, you make the best decision that you can at the time, with the information available.
(Friends tell me this about parenting, too. Mistakes are inevitable, but you do what you can, with what you know.)
Fertility treatment might be the hardest process you ever undertake. Yes, you’re a solo woman, but this doesn’t mean your path to parenthood must be a lonely one.
Watch this space for virtual meet-ups within this growing community.
My inbox is always open.
Sarah x
fertility40s@gmail.com
This is the home of SM40—where independent women over 40 pursue Solo Motherhood.
Related stories:
I Got My First Fertility Consultation Totally Wrong. Here’s 3 Key Things I’m Doing Differently.
10 Red Flags (And Green Flags) To Look Out For When Choosing Your IVF Clinic
FREE: Resources page on with my favourite webinars, articles, forums and podcasts.
FREE: 10 Important Questions for Your Consultation
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