The expected waiting time is usually within 4 months after your initial referral. Due to Covid-19, many fertility clinics waiting times have been extended — at Gateshead you can currently expect to wait around 5 to 6 months.

We are pleased to say that EmbryoScope time lapse imaging technology is available to all our patients as standard. During your Pre-embryo transfer consultation with our experienced Embryologists, your embryo quality will be explained in depth using the EmbryoScope images.

ICSI is very individual and each person can respond differently and require different treatment protocols. An ICSI cycle can take anything from 4 weeks up to 9 weeks.

We have a small team of clinicians here at Gateshead, meaning we cannot guarantee that you can see the same doctor at each appointment as they cover other areas of the hospital.

You can watch the helpful videos linked below to remind you how to take your stimulation medication. Please refer to your treatment schedule given to you by the clinic to find out which drug regime you require.

If you're using Ovaleap, if you're using Meriofert, or if you're using Lubion

Yes, you can still have intercourse throughout treatment however we do advise you to use barrier protection throughout. However, once egg collection has taken place we will advise you to avoid intercourse for 2 weeks following your procedure.

These drugs are given as either a nasal spray or an injection and aim to switch off the fertility hormones produced by the body. The most common side effects therefore resemble symptoms of the menopause, such as hot flushes and mood swings. Depending on where in your cycle that you start the drug, you may have a period — this is normal.

Once you have provided consent for your chosen treatment, an invoice is generated from our finance team. This will arrive with you in the post and will provide detailed information on how you can make payment. Please note that your invoice must be paid before you start your treatment.

Yes, you can get your Covid-19 Vaccine. The only time we wouldn’t recommend getting your vaccine is when you are undergoing a procedure. For further reading, please visit the HFEA website for guidance on the vaccine.

All new patients will require an initial consultation with one of our fertility consultants, currently charged at £275.  At this appointment the consultant will take a full medical history and discuss relevant screening tests and investigations. 

You will have the opportunity to ask questions about the treatment that is recommended for you and you will be given an indication of the associated costs. 

If you decide to undergo treatment with us, a detailed costed treatment plan will be drawn up according to your own individual needs and requirements.  This plan will be an estimate of the cost of the main elements of your treatment and will help you to plan and prepare.   

At Gateshead Fertility we work hard to ensure that pricing is transparent and patients are fully informed of the costs of treatment from the outset.

The cost of an ICSI treatment cycle is £5,804 and includes the following:

– All blood tests
– Sperm test (if partner sperm is being used)
– Pre-treatment appointment with a Fertility Consultant
– Ultrasound monitoring
– Egg collection with nurse sedation
– Embryology and Andrology services, including ICSI, blastocyst culture, EmbryoGlue and EmbryoScope time lapse imaging
– Embryo transfer under ultrasound guidance
– Pregnancy Scans
– Follow up appointment
– Counselling
– HFEA Fee

The cost of the following is NOT included:

– Medication: this can vary according to your needs, but you can expect the cost to be between £470 and £1350. 
– Embryo or sperm freezing and storage
– Endometrial Scratch (if recommended)