There are lots of fertility clinics around, so it can feel a bit overwhelming at first. It might be a good idea to have a think beforehand what matters most to you, and coming up with a shortlist based on your own criteria. Factors you might want to consider include:

• WHERE is the clinic? Is it convenient for you to travel to and from? Will someone be able to take you home from there when you’ve had sedation? Will it be expensive or difficult to reach?

• WHAT SERVICES does the clinic offer? Is it only egg freezing or are other assisted reproduction techniques (ARTs) you might need also on offer? Do they offer counselling before and after the egg freezing process?

• What PRICE BRACKET are they in? Is it a high-end clinic with great facilities, or something more affordable? What sort of costs have you budgeted for? Does the clinic offer a payment plan and is it financially viable (e.g. does it have high interest rates, can you afford the monthly payments)?

• What do OTHER PATIENTS SAY about the clinic? Just remember to take extremely negative and extremely positive reviews with a pinch of salt!

When you have a shortlist of possible clinics, it may be worth visiting them in person and, if possible, having an initial consultation with one of the healthcare professionals there. To help you choose the clinic that suits you best, you might like to ask yourself...

How do you feel about the clinic?
Do you feel comfortable there? Do the staff help you feel at ease? Are you able to ask questions and have them answered? Do you feel able to ask difficult questions?

What are the clinic’s “success” rates?
You’ll need to define what you mean by success rates. A good clinic will have records and statistics they can share with you about the percentage of frozen eggs that go on to be fertilised and lead to live births. Ask how this clinic’s success rates compare to the national average. You can also ask about patient satisfaction rates.

What can the clinic offer you beyond the process itself?
Is there counselling on offer? Does the clinic open at times that are convenient for you, such as early mornings, evenings or weekends? What facilities are there at the clinic?

How good are the staff at the clinic?
You are perfectly entitled to ask the healthcare professionals what their qualifications and experience in this procedure are. It’s not rude, and any good doctor will welcome the question so they can put your mind at ease.

What’s the timeframe you’re looking at?
Is there a long waiting time for consultations, the procedure and/or counselling? How far in advance can you plan? If you have a big event coming up like a wedding, graduation or holiday abroad will you be able to fit your egg freezing schedule around it?