Concierge fertility · UK-wide
Egg collection and embryo transfer, at HFEA-licensed UK clinics.
The two clinical procedures at the heart of an IVF cycle — transvaginal oocyte retrieval under sedation, and a later fresh or frozen embryo transfer — arranged with a named consultant at an HFEA-licensed unit.
Why patients choose us
- 01
HFEA-licensed clinics, named consultants
Every clinic we work with holds a current HFEA licence. Your egg collection and transfer are booked with a named consultant, not an anonymous rota.
- 02
Honest success rates, by age
We share HFEA verified success rates for each clinic by age band — not the marketing figure, the audited one.
- 03
Independent, and free
We are paid by no clinic, so the recommendation is impartial and costs you nothing.
Indicative pricing
What a private IVF cycle costs in the UK.
Indicative ranges across our HFEA-licensed partner clinics. Send the details and we quote firm figures across two or three options.
In short
A standard UK IVF cycle with fresh transfer: £5,500–£8,500, medications separate.
| Cycle type | Indicative range | Typical duration | Outcome timing |
|---|---|---|---|
| IVF cycle with fresh transfer | £5,500–£8,500 | 4–6 weeks | Beta at 10–14 days |
| IVF cycle with ICSI | £6,500–£9,500 | 4–6 weeks | Beta at 10–14 days |
| Freeze-all cycle (no fresh transfer) | £5,000–£7,500 | 3–4 weeks | FET scheduled later |
| Frozen embryo transfer (FET) | £1,500–£3,500 | 3–4 weeks | Beta at 10–14 days |
| Add-on: PGT-A (embryo testing) | £2,500–£4,500 | +2–4 weeks | Report before FET |
| Initial fertility consultation | £250–£450 | 45 min | Plan within 1 week |
Prices vary by clinic, by protocol, by the medications you need, and by whether add-ons (ICSI, PGT-A, freeze-all, blastocyst culture) are used. Gonadotrophin drugs typically add £1,000 to £2,500. We come back with a firm quote within one working day.
The problem
The right clinic, the right protocol, the right add-ons — and no upsell.
UK fertility is a competitive market and add-ons drive margin. We help you pick an HFEA-licensed clinic on evidence, not marketing — and we say no to add-ons that will not change your outcome.
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Not sure IVF is the right step?
A short conversation about your age, AMH and history — sometimes IUI, ovulation induction or expectant management is the right call first.
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Worried about OHSS?
Antagonist protocols with agonist triggers and freeze-all cycles have transformed safety. We match your protocol to your risk.
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Confused by add-ons?
PGT-A, endometrial scratch, EmbryoGlue, immune tests — we tell you which have HFEA evidence and which do not.
The journey
From enquiry to pregnancy test — what happens, in order.
One coordinator from first message to beta-hCG, and a named consultant across your cycle.
Phase 1 · Before your cycle
Concierge, off-stage for you
Phase 2 · Collection and transfer
Two clinic visits, days apart
Phase 3 · After
Concierge, back on
- 01
Before
You tell us what is going on
A short, confidential form. Age, cycle history, AMH if you have it, and any previous IVF attempts.
- 02
Before
We come back with a plan
Within one working day: two or three HFEA-licensed clinics that fit, an indicative protocol (antagonist or long agonist), and a firm price range.
- 03
Before
Downregulation and stimulation
10 to 14 days of daily gonadotrophin injections at home, with 3 to 4 monitoring scans to track follicle growth and adjust the dose.
- 04
Collection & transfer
Trigger and egg collection
Trigger injection (hCG or Buserelin) 34 to 36 hours before collection. Transvaginal ultrasound-guided aspiration under sedation — around 20 minutes in theatre.
- 05
Collection & transfer
Fertilisation in the lab
Eggs meet sperm the same day — conventional IVF or ICSI. Fertilisation is checked at 18 hours and embryos are cultured to day 5 or 6 (blastocyst).
- 06
Collection & transfer
Embryo transfer
Fresh transfer 5 days later, or freeze-all with a later frozen embryo transfer once your lining is ready. A quick, awake procedure — no sedation needed.
- 07
After
Luteal support and pregnancy test
Progesterone pessaries for 10 to 14 days, then a blood beta-hCG. Early scan at 6 to 7 weeks if positive. We stay in touch throughout.
Typical end-to-end: 4–6 weeks for a fresh cycle. Freeze-all with later FET: 8–12 weeks.
When it helps
When egg collection and transfer are the right step.
The situations NICE and the HFEA support IVF for, plus the red flag after collection that means same-day contact rather than a wait.
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Unexplained infertility (12+ months)
Regular cycles, normal tests, but no pregnancy after a year of trying. NICE supports IVF after full investigation.
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Tubal factor infertility
Blocked or damaged fallopian tubes — IVF bypasses the tubes entirely and is often the definitive option.
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Male factor infertility
Low count, poor motility or abnormal morphology. ICSI (a single sperm injected into each egg) is used when needed.
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Endometriosis affecting fertility
Moderate to severe endometriosis reduces natural conception. IVF is often recommended after failed timed cycles.
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Recurrent pregnancy loss
Three or more miscarriages. PGT-A can screen embryos for chromosomal abnormalities before transfer.
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Same-sex couples and single parents
Donor sperm or donor eggs combined with IVF. HFEA-registered donors, with your consultant coordinating.
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Diminished ovarian reserve
Low AMH or high FSH — the sooner you cycle, the better. Protocols are tailored to expected response.
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Red flag: OHSS symptoms after collection
Severe bloating, breathlessness, reduced urine output or one-sided abdominal pain after collection needs same-day clinic contact — not a wait-and-see.
Protocol options
One IVF cycle, several decisions inside it.
The stimulation protocol, the trigger, fresh vs freeze-all, IVF vs ICSI, and whether to test the embryos. Each has an evidence-backed answer for your case.
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Antagonist protocol
The most common short protocol. Daily gonadotrophins from day 2, antagonist added around day 6 to prevent early ovulation. 10 to 12 days total.
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Long agonist (down-regulation)
Two to three weeks of down-regulation before stimulation. Preferred for endometriosis or previous poor response — more control, longer cycle.
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Trigger: hCG vs Buserelin
hCG is the standard trigger. Buserelin (agonist trigger) is used when OHSS risk is high — combined with freeze-all for safety.
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Conventional IVF fertilisation
Eggs and prepared sperm are placed together overnight. Suits couples with normal sperm parameters and no previous fertilisation problems.
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ICSI (intracytoplasmic sperm injection)
A single sperm is injected into each mature egg. Used for male factor, previous IVF fertilisation failure, or surgically retrieved sperm.
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Fresh transfer (day 5 blastocyst)
Best-quality embryo transferred 5 days after collection. Elective single embryo transfer (eSET) is the UK default to avoid twins.
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Freeze-all with later FET
All embryos vitrified after collection. A later frozen embryo transfer with a natural or medicated lining — often the safer, higher-yield route.
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PGT-A embryo testing
A few trophectoderm cells are biopsied at blastocyst and screened for chromosomal aneuploidy. Considered for age 38+, recurrent loss or failed cycles.
Our vetted UK network
A small panel of HFEA-licensed clinics, we picked them.
HFEA-licensed units across London, the South East, the Midlands, the North West and Scotland. Not listed publicly — introductions are made privately, once we understand your case.
Selection criteria
How we choose every fertility clinic in our network.
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Current HFEA licence, verified before every introduction
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Consultant-led care from stimulation through transfer
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Elective single embryo transfer offered as the default
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Freeze-all option available where OHSS risk is elevated
Safety and recovery
What to expect afterwards — honestly.
Egg collection is a common, safe day-case procedure at HFEA-licensed units. The things worth planning are your protocol, OHSS prevention, and knowing what is normal after collection.
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OHSS is the risk to plan for
Ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome affects around 3 to 8 per cent of cycles. Antagonist protocols, agonist triggers and freeze-all cycles all reduce the risk.
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Sedation, not general anaesthetic
Egg collection is done under light IV sedation in most UK clinics. You are comfortable, breathe on your own, and go home a few hours later.
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The 34 to 36 hour trigger window
The trigger injection is timed to the minute. Miss the window and eggs are released before collection — the clinic will give clear timing instructions.
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Bleeding and pelvic infection are rare
Vaginal spotting after collection is normal. Heavy bleeding, fever or worsening pain in the days after are not — call the clinic same-day.
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Ovarian torsion is uncommon but urgent
Sudden, severe, one-sided pain after collection can mean ovarian torsion. Same-day gynae review or A&E — do not wait.
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Empty follicle syndrome is real, and rare
Occasionally, follicles yield no eggs despite a normal trigger. It is usually a one-off — the next cycle is often successful.
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eSET keeps twins at bay
The HFEA target is under 10 per cent multiple pregnancy. Elective single embryo transfer, blastocyst culture and vitrification make this achievable.
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Luteal support matters
Progesterone pessaries (or injections) support the lining until 10 to 12 weeks. Do not stop early — your clinic will confirm the taper.
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Red flags after collection
Breathlessness, calf swelling, one-sided abdominal pain, reduced urine output, fever or heavy bleeding — same-day clinic call or A&E, not a wait.
Reading your cycle summary
Your cycle summary in four parts. Read the last one first.
Whichever protocol you were on, the summary your consultant and embryologist send you keeps to the same shape.
A quiet reminder
Embryology reports use precise language that can read coldly — we translate it for you.
If you would like us to talk you through the report before your follow-up, just ask.
- 01 Header
Protocol, medications and trigger
Which protocol you were on (antagonist or long agonist), the gonadotrophin dose, the trigger used and its timing.
- 02 Technique
Collection findings and lab report
Number of follicles aspirated, number of eggs collected, maturity, fertilisation method (IVF or ICSI) and day-1 fertilisation.
- 03 Findings
Embryo development and PGT-A results
How many embryos reached blastocyst, their grading, and any PGT-A results if testing was chosen.
- 04 Impression
Transfer plan and next steps
Read this first: whether it was fresh transfer or freeze-all, luteal support, beta-hCG date and any protocol changes for a next cycle.
Recognised by major UK insurers
Most UK private medical insurance excludes assisted conception. Diagnostic fertility workup is sometimes covered — the cycle itself is usually self-pay. We confirm cover before booking.
Frequently asked
Everything we get asked about egg collection and embryo transfer.
Quick answers on pain, cost, success rates, ICSI, OHSS and time off work.
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What actually happens on egg collection day?
You arrive fasted, have a cannula and IV sedation. The consultant uses a transvaginal ultrasound probe with a fine needle to aspirate each follicle — around 15 to 25 minutes in theatre. You wake in recovery, have a light snack, and go home a few hours later with someone to collect you.
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Is egg collection painful?
You are sedated, so you feel nothing during. Afterwards, expect cramping like a heavy period for 24 to 48 hours, some vaginal spotting, and bloating that eases over the following week. Paracetamol is usually enough.
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Fresh transfer or freeze-all — which is better?
It depends on your response. A calm, low-oestrogen cycle with a receptive lining suits fresh transfer. A high response, OHSS risk, thin lining or PGT-A plan means freeze-all with a later FET. UK evidence increasingly favours FET for high responders.
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How much does a private IVF cycle cost in the UK?
Roughly £5,500 to £8,500 for an IVF cycle with fresh transfer, £6,500 to £9,500 with ICSI, and £1,500 to £3,500 for a subsequent frozen embryo transfer. PGT-A adds £2,500 to £4,500. We confirm firm figures within one working day.
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What are realistic success rates by age?
HFEA data shows live birth rates per embryo transfer of roughly 32 per cent under 35, 27 per cent at 35 to 37, 20 per cent at 38 to 39, 13 per cent at 40 to 42 and under 5 per cent over 42, using own eggs. Donor eggs are age-independent.
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What is elective single embryo transfer (eSET) and why do UK clinics push it?
Transferring one embryo at a time. It is HFEA best practice because twin pregnancies carry substantially higher risks for mother and babies. Cumulative live birth rates across fresh and frozen transfers are similar to double transfer, without the twin risk.
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Do I need ICSI or standard IVF?
ICSI is only better if there is a sperm reason for it — low count, poor motility, abnormal morphology, surgically retrieved sperm or previous fertilisation failure. For normal sperm parameters, standard IVF is equally effective and cheaper. A good consultant will not upsell ICSI without a reason.
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What is OHSS and how worried should I be?
Ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome — an exaggerated response to the trigger. Mild OHSS is common and self-limiting. Severe OHSS is uncommon (under 2 per cent) but needs admission. Antagonist protocols, agonist triggers and freeze-all cycles have made severe OHSS much rarer.
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When can I go back to work after collection?
Most patients take the day of collection and the next day off, then return to desk work. Avoid heavy lifting, high-impact exercise and long-haul travel until after your beta-hCG. Transfer itself needs no time off.
Related treatments
Looking for something else?
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Egg freezing
Elective oocyte cryopreservation for fertility preservation.
Learn more -
Embryo freezing
Vitrification of blastocysts for future frozen transfer.
Learn more -
Egg donation
Using HFEA-registered donor eggs where own eggs are not viable.
Learn more -
All tests & procedures
Every test and procedure we arrange.
Learn more