Episode 11

full
Published on:

7th Jul 2025

BONUS EPISODE: IVF Abroad - How to Choose a Clinic?

In this special mini-series of The Fertility Podcast, created in partnership with fertilityclinicsabroad.com, Natalie is joined by Joanna Jewell, Head of Patient Experience at IVF Media, to explore the ins and outs of going abroad for fertility treatment. 

If you’re considering IVF outside of the UK, this series is here to help you make well-informed, confident decisions. From country-specific options to success rates and cost comparisons, Joanna shares expert insights, practical tips, and emotional support to guide you every step of the way. 

What we discuss: 

  • The most popular IVF destinations for UK patients: Spain, Czech Republic, Portugal, Greece, and North Cyprus 
  • Key factors to consider when choosing a clinic abroad: distance, cost, treatment options, and personal comfort 
  • How donor anonymity laws vary by country and why they matter for future children 
  • IVF treatment costs abroad (and why cheapest isn’t always best) 
  • Using the IVF cost calculator from Fertility Clinics Abroad to plan your budget 
  • Why clinic success rates aren’t always comparable and what to ask instead 
  • Common pitfalls: compromising your boundaries or ignoring your gut feeling 
  • What to ask a clinic before booking and why personal match matters more than popularity 
  • Support for solo women, LGBTQ+ patients, and ethnic background considerations when choosing donor programs 
  • The role of IVF Media in providing holistic support from logistics and workplace planning to emotional guidance and post-treatment care 
  • Why timing, mindset, and communication (especially as a couple) are so key when choosing treatment abroad 

Links & Resources: 

Let’s Stay Connected 

  • Learn more at: fertilityclinicsabroad.com 
  • Follow on Instagram @fertility_clinics_abroad
  • Try their IVF Cost Calculator 
  • Reach out to Joanna’s team via the website for tailored support 
  • Follow Natalie on Instagram: @fertilitypoddy 
  • Email Natalie: natalie@thefertilitypodcast.com 
  • Subscribe to The Fertility Podcast for more support, stories, and smart decision-making 
Next Episode All Episodes Previous Episode

Listen for free

Show artwork for The Fertility Podcast

About the Podcast

The Fertility Podcast
The Fertility Podcast|Expert interviews|Women and Men sharing #TTC stories|Wellbeing support
If you’ve found your route to parenthood hasn’t been straightforward, The Fertility Podcast is for you. From how to optimise your fertility to getting pregnant naturally, navigating IVF, understanding donor conception or surrogacy to how to prepare for a life without children. Whatever your situation, you are not alone. Created by Natalie Silverman, a former fertility patient in 2014 Natalie set about speaking to experts and sharing lived experience and expert interviews In 2019 Kate Davies, an independent fertility nurse consultant joined as co-host and from 2023-2024, Kate hosted the podcast solo sharing more of her expert insight and stories from her patients. As The Fertility Podcast reached its 10th anniversary the decision was taken to cease publishing.. until now. The Fertility Podcast is proud to partner with Fertility Action, a new UK charity dedicated to supporting anyone affected by infertility, secondary infertility, or sub-fertility. Together, we aim to amplify our mission of education, empowerment, and support. Fertility Action combines patient advocacy with expert knowledge to offer peer support, therapy, and reliable information. They are also committed to improving fertility care access, raising awareness, and driving research to advance understanding and treatment.

PLEASE NOTE: The Fertility Podcast has an archive of its 300 episodes on new podcast feeds called: Getting Pregnancy Ready, Infertility Support, Male Fertility, Alternative Routes to Parenthood, and Pregnancy Loss.
Just have a look in your podcast search and be sure to subscribe.

About your host

Profile picture for Natalie Silverman

Natalie Silverman