Aggregated News
Hundreds of Irishwomen are travelling to clinics across the Continent to receive IVF treatment using eggs donated from young European women.
Childless couples are increasingly bypassing the small number of Irish clinics that offer donor eggs for up to ¤10,000. Instead, they are taking advantage of cheaper treatment, shorter waiting lists and a more plentiful supply of donors at clinics in Spain, the Czech Republic and Crete, often combining treatment with a holiday in those destinations.
Low-cost flights to Spain, which has a reputation for high standards of fertility treatment, has made the country the destination of choice for Irish couples. Dr Raul Olivares, director of the international department at the Instituto Marques clinic in Barcelona, says his clinic has treated 70 Irishwomen so far this year, compared with about 50 for the whole of 2007. Most are aged between 40 and 45.
“There are very few egg donors in Ireland, so women who have tried one or two IVF treatments with their own eggs and failed will come here for donor eggs,” Olivares said. “Plus we can offer anonymity...
Childless couples are increasingly bypassing the small number of Irish clinics that offer donor eggs for up to ¤10,000. Instead, they are taking advantage of cheaper treatment, shorter waiting lists and a more plentiful supply of donors at clinics in Spain, the Czech Republic and Crete, often combining treatment with a holiday in those destinations.
Low-cost flights to Spain, which has a reputation for high standards of fertility treatment, has made the country the destination of choice for Irish couples. Dr Raul Olivares, director of the international department at the Instituto Marques clinic in Barcelona, says his clinic has treated 70 Irishwomen so far this year, compared with about 50 for the whole of 2007. Most are aged between 40 and 45.
“There are very few egg donors in Ireland, so women who have tried one or two IVF treatments with their own eggs and failed will come here for donor eggs,” Olivares said. “Plus we can offer anonymity...