I spent £3,000 but advice was so misleading
SARAH Brocklehurst had her eggs frozen when she was 41.
At the time IVF doctors said her chances of falling pregnant would be between 15 and 20 per cent.
But this was misleading, reflecting the prospects for women of all ages – not those in their 40s, who have a much smaller chance of success.
Miss Brocklehurst, a personal trainer, spent her 30s focused on her career. She hoped egg freezing would give her the option of having children in the future but was realistic about her chances after doing her own research.
However, when discussing success rates with clinic staff, they gave ‘confusing information’, she said.
‘In my first consultation I was advised differently by two different doctors at the same clinic on the same day. They had different ideas about how many rounds I would need. That could be confusing for a lot of women. Then the nurses told me my eggs were better quality than those of many 20-year-olds they saw.’
A total of 11 eggs were collected for Miss Brocklehurst’s egg freezing cycle, which cost more than £3,000.
Miss Brocklehurst, now 46 and single, urged women to do extensive research before approach-
ing a clinic, so they are aware if figures are being exaggerated.
She added: ‘Often there are ways to improve your own fertility, but I fear women are encouraged to go to private clinics where the aim is to get you to buy treatments. I hope to meet a partner and not have to use them. But if by then the health of my eggs has worsened, I may have to thaw those eggs and hope for the best.’