Conceiving a child through IVF can be incredibly expensive and unattainable to many. This couple wanted to become parents more than anything, so they looked for an IVF treatment abroad, and now they're hoping to become “fairy godmothers" for others hoping to do the same.
Emma and Adam Haslam were devastated when they discovered their attempts to get pregnant failed after trying for so long.
Now proud parents to 19-month-old Albie, they're happy they did not give up on their search.
They took several steps to make sure that they qualified for an IVF. An example was loosing weight. But, that wasn't enough to qualify for free IVF in the UK.
“It was honestly the worst news, because we'd allowed ourselves to get our hopes up, but it was just another hurdle," she said.
Private treatment costs around $13,000 for one round of IVF in the UK.
So, they started looking abroad. They found a specialist fertility clinic in the Czech Republic where for $10,000 would cover three rounds of treatment using donor embryos – which would greatly improve their chances of success. Including flights and accommodations.
It was third time lucky for the couple, when after 6 years of trying, Albie came into the world after a “horrific" 60-hour labour.
“The labour was horrendous, but it was so worth it because we got Albie in the end," Emma said.
As a result of their own challenging journey, in December 2019 they launched "Your IVF Abroad", charging a flat fee of $970 to help facilitate high-quality and affordable fertility treatment at different European clinics.
“We launched Your IVF Abroad, because we understand how torturous it can be when all you long for is a baby, but it seems beyond your reach," said Emma.
The couple first started trying for a baby in 2012.
The couple lived in Australia for a year before trying to have a baby in 2012.
“Not long after we got back, we decided we were ready for a baby," said Emma.
"We stopped taking contraception and started casually trying."
And, in 2014 they tied the knot.
After years of trying they decided to seek help.
A series of tests at Airedale General Hospital in Keighley, West Yorkshire, in 2013 revealed that Emma was perimenopausal, meaning she was entering the menopause prematurely. Adam's tests revealed a low sperm count.
“We were told we had almost no chance of conceiving naturally," she said.
So they started to take alternative measures.
“We'd kept trying for a baby while I was losing the weight, but nothing had happened," she said.
At this point, the couple started looking at private treatment, but it was too expensive for them in the UK.
“We'd wanted a baby for so long – we'd both yearned for a child and to hear the patter of tiny feet," Adam said.
“Having all these problems made us feel cheated and angry, as though we were old before our time. It made me feel inferior as a man and ashamed that I couldn't do the one thing I was supposed to do," he continued.
“We knew IVF was what we needed, but we discovered that with Emma's egg and my sperm we only had a five per cent chance of it working. If we used a donor, we had 65 per cent chance."
“So, we decided to go with a donor, and as we couldn't afford the treatment here we decided to go abroad, to the Czech Republic, where the clinics had really high standards, but were far cheaper. I'm so grateful that we did, because our miracle baby boy wouldn't be here today if we hadn't."
The advice to use a donor embryo came during a pre-treatment consultation with a doctor via Skype in 2016, after they had sent over blood samples and Emma had submitted ultrasound findings.
“Choosing to use a donor embryo didn't feel like a big decision when we heard how high the odds were if we did," Emma said.
“The donors and the embryos used are given a full health screening to make sure they're suitable to go ahead with donations," she continued."
“Then the clinic can match the donor, so they have the same hair color, eye color, skin color and education level as the parent – as well height and build – and they can even test blood types, so they match."
“And unlike in the UK, in Europe anonymity is given to the donor."
So, in January 2017, they had their first round of treatment using a donor embryo. Sadly, the treatment failed, so they returned for a second round that July, and once more on November.
“After the treatment I felt exactly the same as before, I thought if it worked I'd feel differently, so I braced myself for the worst," Emma said.
But when the couple took a pregnancy test two weeks later, they were over the moon.
“We were both in complete shock," Emma recalled. “Actually realizing I was pregnant and letting myself finally believe it was true was such a lovely moment."
Finally on August 2018, Albie was delivered by emergency caesarean at Airedale Hospital, following a terrible 60-hour labour.
“It was a horrendous labour and extremely frightening, but Albie is gorgeous and both he and Emma were given such amazing care while they were in the hospital," said Adam. “He's so funny and lovely – he's the best thing to happen to us."
After the stress of their own IVF journey, in December 2019, the couple launched Your IVF Abroad.
Then they use their own research to recommend three European clinics – none of which pay them commission. They are then helped with the logistics of organizing everything from pre-treatment blood tests, to ultrasounds and prescriptions.
“When we were going through IVF, we wished we had someone there to help and guide us through it all, it would've helped so much, and that's where the idea Your IVF Abroad stemmed from," Emma explained.
“Our business helps people who want to be parents to find the best options, as when you're looking into treatment abroad it can be a minefield and we want to help alleviate that stress."
“We want people to know that there are plenty of options outside of the UK in world-class clinics which are safe but also cheaper, and you can save approximately 40 per cent, including flights, accommodation and medication, as well as the treatment itself," she continued.
“We recommend clinics, and source flights and accommodation – like a concierge service – as well as advising on things you wouldn't think of like, 'How do I get IVF needles through the airport?' We are emotionally supportive too. "
“We want our business to be this fairy godmother-like place, where people can go to help them through their journey from start to finish," she said.
Money is not the couple's motivation, according to Adam, who just wants to help other people to enjoy the wonder of having children.
“For us this is solely a passion project. We want to put our experience to good use and to help others who want to become parents one day," Adam said.
“If we'd just had one round of IVF Albie wouldn't be here today so going abroad was the best thing we could've ever done, as he was finally conceived on the third round," Emma said.
“Being a parent is the most amazing thing in the world and we've done it for ourselves, and now we want to help as many people as possible do it too."
To find out more visit: www.yourivfabroad.co.uk or for Facebook, Twitter or Instagram go to: @yourivfabroad
