The scientists behind the technique believe IVF frequently fails because the embryo is transferred at the wrong time. Photograph: Alamy Thousands of infertile couples could benefit from a new test that tailors the timing of IVF treatment to a womans individual cycle for the first time. The scientists behind the technique believe that IVF frequently fails because the embryo is transferred at the wrong time, missing a crucial fertility window. The new test assesses the activity of genes of the womb lining to pinpoint a womans optimum time for treatment and in pilot studies the personalised approach appeared to significantly boost success rates. Prof Juan Garcia-Velasco, of the IVI fertility clinic in Madrid, said: We think that about 15% of cases of implantation failure are simply due to bad timing. Prof Garcia-Velasco is now leading a clinical trial of the test, involving 2,500 patients in more than ten countries, including Britain. Geeta Nargund, medical director of Create Fertility whose London clinic is participating, said: The weakest link in IVF is implantation failure. I believe this is a breakthrough. There are more than 60,000 IVF cycles in Britain each year, but just 24% of these treatments lead to live births. Clinics … Continue reading →

348 babies were born in 2012 to women recorded as having female partner Figure is 14-fold increase on 25 such babies born in 2003, statistics reveal Almost a thousand lesbian mothers underwent IVF treatment in 2012 By Daniel Martin, Whitehall Correspondent for the Daily Mail Published: 19:18 EST, 20 February 2015 | Updated: 19:23 EST, 20 February 2015 One baby is born through IVF to lesbian parents almost every day in the UK, new figures have revealed. The numbers from 2012 the most recent available show that 348 babies were born to women recorded as having a female partner. This is a 14-fold increase on the 25 such babies born in 2003, according to the statistics from the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority. One baby is born through IVF to lesbian parents almost every day in the UK, new figures have revealed (file picture) In total, over the ten-year period, IVF treatment clinics have helped bring 1,388 children into the world for lesbian couples. In addition, the HFEA said that over the same ten-year timespan 1,149 children were born through IVF to single women. However, the official numbers are considered an underestimate of the real total, as more children will … Continue reading →

A heartbroken woman from Merseyside is desperately trying to raise enough money for IVF treatment after being refused by the NHS. Eva McConville, 28, from Mossley Hill, and her fiance Matty, 33, have been trying to have a baby for four years but cant conceive naturally. After being refused IVF by the NHS three times because Matty has a child from a previous relationship, their only option is to crowd fund the money from strangers online. Evas mum Patricia, 55, has launched a page online titled IVF for Eva which has raised 2,680 so far. But the couple need 6,000 for the treatment alone. Matty was diagnosed with lymphoma after finding a lump in one of his testicles and feared that was the reason they couldnt conceive. Even though he has been clear for three years the couple, who have been together fourteen years, still cant conceive a baby. Eva told the ECHO: If crowdfunding is the only way I will become a mum, then I will try anything. Im battling it every single day. I will do anything to get my baby. Its so unfair. Its so much money and the reason we cant have kids is because of … Continue reading →

A young woman who is desperate to have a baby has been refused IVF treatment on the NHS because her partner has a child. Charlotte McPhillips is distraught that she is being denied the fertility programme free of charge because her boyfriend Robert Howard has a four-year-old daughter from a previous relationship. The 23-year-old, who is unable to have children naturally due to a hormonal condition, said she burst into tears when she heard the news. Scroll down for video Charlotte McPhillips and Robert Howard have been denied IVF treatment Speaking from the home she shares with Robert in Wivenhoe Close, Rainham, she said: How can I be deprived of every womans basic right, to be a mum? Why am I being penalised for a condition that I have through no fault of my own? Charlotte, who is a barmaid and assistant manager of the White Horse pub in Rainham High Street and Robert, who is unemployed, cannot afford the 5,000 needed to pay for IVF privately. She said: In any case, I pay my taxes. Why should we have to pay? The couple are fighting their case through Gillingham and Rainham MP Rehman Chishti and are prepared to take … Continue reading →