News and Events Categories: Events

Free IVF open evening

Our next event is Thursday 28 January 2021 at 7:00pm

When you’re beginning your fertility journey, we know how hard it can be to choose the right clinic – even more so now during these difficult times when you are not able to visit one of our clinics in person – we are still here for you.

To help you make the right choice, we are delighted to be offering free virtual open events. Held monthly, these events are intended for couples or individuals who are looking to complete their family through fertility treatments.

Start your journey

We know how you feel – if you are interested in finding out more about fertility tests or IVF treatments at Bourn Hall, this open event will give you the opportunity to meet some of our experts, learn more about our clinics, tests, treatments and success rates, and give you an opportunity to ask any questions you might have.

The event will be run via Zoom a secure webinar platform and will last no more than an hour. 

Register now

To reserve your place at our open evening on 28 January 2021, please register through the link below and we will then send you a confirmation with your unique Zoom details to join the event.

Book now

We look forward to welcoming you into the Bourn Hall family.

Future open evenings will be held on:

 

Webinar: It’s a game of two halves – tackling male infertility

“I’ve got plenty of really close mates, but it feels almost like a taboo to talk about it down the pub. Because blokes aren’t naturally caring… the default way is to laugh it off with a bit of banter and a bit of humour. That’s great, because it alleviates that glumness, but sometimes you just need to talk to someone.”

In our webinar on Thursday 11 February 2021 @ 7pm about male infertility, Matt O’Malley will talk about his experiences and how he found it helped him to open up about the issue. He will be joined by Mr Oliver Wiseman, urologist and male infertility specialist at Bourn Hall, who will explain what a semen analysis reveals, how to improve poor sperm quality, and the treatment options that are available.

Mr Wiseman says: “A semen test is just the starting point of a fertility journey. Many issues with poor sperm quality or quantity can be resolved naturally or by surgery and/or medication, increasing your chances of becoming a dad.”

Matt’s story: “I was like ‘no, I’m absolutely fine’, when I knew I wasn’t…”

poor sperm quality
Matt is now a dad to baby Elle after treatment at Bourn Hall

At the age of 31, Matt O’Malley and his partner Laura found themselves in the middle of a baby boom. All around them, friends of a similar age were all starting to have children. But after 18 months of trying, the couple had still not been able to conceive.

“Laura’s cycle is irregular and we thought it was that,” says Matt. “It came as a complete shock that the issue was with my sperm. I think as a man you just automatically assume you can have children – it’s a given.

“We mentioned to friends and family ‘we were going for treatment’ but didn’t go into details.

“I’m very much a happy-go-lucky person, but after Laura suffered two miscarriages I changed… I really struggled,” he says.

“Friends had noticed I’d changed. It was only when I started talking more openly about male infertility and what I’d experienced that it made me realise that I should’ve been doing it a long time ago. There’s nothing to be ashamed of, there’s nothing to hide, it’s part of who you are.”

Male infertility specialist: overcoming poor sperm quality and quantity 

Mr Oliver Wiseman says: “In 50% of cases, there is a male factor contributing to fertility problems, so early assessment of the male side is important, and that can be done with a semen analysis.

Oliver Wiseman, specialist on male infertility
Oliver Wiseman, specialist in male fertility

“Sperm is produced in the testicles. The testis have only two jobs: to produce the male hormone testosterone and to make sperm. Unlike the female, where all her eggs are present at birth, sperm is produced continuously and even a short period of illness can impact production.

“This is why, if there are abnormalities in a semen analysis, it is important that these patients are seen by a male infertility specialist, because there may be things we can diagnose or advise that will improve sperm count.

“If we can improve sperm quality then the couple may be able to conceive naturally, or if they do need IVF treatment, it will make it more successful.”

 

Register your place now

The webinar will be run via Zoom and will feature two short videos followed by a question and answer session with Oliver Wiseman and Matt O’Malley.

Please click here to register.

On-demand webinar: Female same sex couples’ paths to parenthood

Bourn Hall gives female same sex couples the very best chance of having a baby – register now to receive a link to watch

If you are in a same sex partnership, then some type of fertility support is inevitable if you want to have a baby. 

Our on-demand webinar discusses the fertility and IVF treatment options available to you to create your family, as well as addressing some key questions: 

  • Is IUI the obvious choice for everyone?
  • The legalities: How can I guarantee my partner is going to be the legal parent?
  • The rights and duties of the sperm donor, of yourselves and of your future child.
  • Is anonymity of the sperm donor a thing of the past?
  • Can we be pregnant at the same time?
  • What does the regulatory authority say about shared motherhood?
  • How can fertility test results inform your choice of the best treatment?
  • How much do different fertility treatments options cost?

Bourn Hall has its own sperm bank and also offers single women and couples the opportunity to select  sperm from other banks where greater diversity is required, or use a known donor if they prefer.

We provide a personalised fertility pathway to help you on your journey to achieving your dream of parenthood, our experts are on hand to offer you advice and support. 

Bourn Hall was the first IVF clinic in the world, set up 40 years ago to help people create their families, and we are incredibly proud that our success rates are now consistently over 40%. Our latest live birth rate per embryo transfer for patients of all ages at our clinics is 44% and for patients aged under 38 we are achieving live birth rates of 50% and above.

Everyone we see is uniquely individual and your specific circumstances will affect the way in which you choose to start your family. 

Our on-demand webinar will help you understand the options available to you to create your family. 

Register now to watch

Fertility Support Group – Work, Life and IVF 

Our next group meeting is 21 January at 6:30pm

How to balance the demands of work while coping with the stress of infertility is a big issue for many people. With so much uncertainty already in the workplace there are particular concerns over how treatment will impact work and career prospects.

At the next Fertility Support Group meeting on 21 January we are discussing the issues that affect both men and women going through treatment and sharing personal experiences, tips and advice on how to balance work and life during the fertility journey. We have two special guests followed by an open discussion.

Francesca Keen
Francesca Keen

Patient Francesca Keen juggled a demanding job in the city with four rounds of fertility treatment. After struggling to keep up appearances at work while coping with the emotional roller-coaster of fertility treatment, she came to the understanding that she needed to reduce stress in all aspects of her life for the next cycle. Opening up to her line-manager about her situation and being more honest with friends and colleagues, achieved unexpected benefits.

Everyone’s situation is different, but Francesca hopes that sharing the things ‘she wished she had known earlier’ will be helpful to others and stimulate a discussion of coping strategies.

Robert Whitaker
Robert Whitaker

Rob Whitaker is head of Tees’ employment law department. Rob is a specialist in employment law and provides expert advice around family friendly rights and anti-discrimination law.

Infertility is a medical condition not a life-style choice and many employers are not aware of this. Knowing what you are entitled to and how to negotiate more flexibility with your employer can be helpful in reducing workplace stress. Rob is happy to answer your employment law questions.

Fertility Support Group

Our Fertility Support Group, held virtually, is led by our independent fertility counsellor, Jackie Stewart, and other members of our Bourn Hall family.

Joining the group meeting gives you the opportunity to talk to other people experiencing infertility, with members supporting each other on what can be an emotional journey.

About the group

Held monthly from 6:30pm using Zoom, for approximately an hour and a half, we invite experts to speak on a range of topics that reflect the needs of individual members.

The group offers:

  • Free attendance for all
  • Guest speakers
  • Facilitated meetings with Question & Answer sessions
  • Caring, supportive staff
  • Opportunity to meet other people who empathise
  • Helpful information

Register your place now

If you would like to join the group on the 21 January register your interest by using the form below and Sharon Harper, the Group Administrator, will be in touch with further details.

For more information about upcoming fertility support group events please contact Sharon on sharon.harper@bourn-hall.com.

We look forward to welcoming you to the group.

Future Support Group meetings will be held on:

  • 18 February
  • 18 March