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'Ideal fertility show' for IVF couples
Sophie Goodchild, Health and Social Affairs Correspondent21 Oct 2009
London's first fertility roadshow is opening next month, targeting couples who have trouble conceiving.
The Fertility Show at Olympia on 6 and 7 November is being called the "Ideal Home exhibition for making babies". More than 40 of the capital's IVF doctors will advise visitors on issues such as the best ways of getting pregnant and common causes of infertility.
Imperial College, Chelsea and Westminster hospital, the Lister Fertility Clinic and Guy's and St Thomas' assisted conception unit are among the institutions taking part.
Men attending the event will also get on-the-spot fertility checks.
The £100 tests, which give results within the hour, are usually offered at IVF clinics but the show's organisers were granted the first licence to conduct them at a public venue. They intend to raise awareness about male infertility.
Dr Iwan Lewis-Jones, a reproduction expert at Liverpool Women's Hospital, said women often had to carry the "shame and worry" of infertility.
"It is often misunderstood by couples who are trying to conceive that in nearly half of all such instances it is problems with the man's sperm that is responsible for their lack of success."
The Fertility Show is organised in association with Infertility Network UK which supports infertile couples.
Clare Lewis-Jones, of Infertility Network UK, said: "Those affected by fertility problems need as much information as possible in order to ensure that they feel in control." Record numbers of couples are undergoing IVF with 36,861 having the procedure in 2007 - a 5.8 per cent increase on the previous year. In London, 11,000 women a year visit clinics but only about 4,000 give birth.
More than 80 exhibitors will run stalls at the show, and there will be talks on fertility issues. Exhibitors include legal firms, nutrition experts, overseas sperm banks as well as acupuncture practitioners and firms offering insemination for lesbian couples.
Talks on techniques and treatment
Chinese medicine Dr Xiao-Ping Zhai, of the Zhai Clinic, explains his therapeutic treatment.
Testing your fertility Professor Richard Fleming, from Glasgow University, and Bryan Beattie, from University Hospital of Wales, talk about checking how many eggs women have.
The NHS Clare Lewis-Jones, of Infertility Network UK, on what to expect from the NHS and ways to maximise the chances of getting treatment paid for.
Nutrition Dr Marilyn Glenville, author of Getting Pregnant Faster, on diet, supplements and lifestyle.
Acupuncture Gerad Kite, from the Kite Clinic, on benefits of classical five-element acupuncture.
Egg freezing Alan Thornhill, from The Bridge Centre, SE1.
Surrogacy Sabreena Mahroof and Carol O'Reilly, from Surrogacy UK, with John Randle, from law firm Lester Aldridge.
Case study
Anya Sizer, 35, and husband Damion, 37, from Stoke Newington, started trying for a baby soon after marrying 12 years ago.
After a year they went for tests. Mr Sizer, an art teacher, has azoospermia, where there is no sperm in the ejaculate.
Mrs Sizer said: “There is such a stigma around male infertility. It is all very furtive. I welcome anything that makes tests seem more normal.”
Mrs Sizer had five cycles of IVF and the couple have two children, Hope, six, and Barney, three
Reader views (4)
Fanfan La Tulipe and Louise - so long as you get what you want, nevermind the rest of the world eh? Epitome of the "Me! Me! Me!" mindset. In any case, what you perceive as fluffy lovelyness is nothing more and nothing less than you being unable to override animal urges and emotions. I just hope your off-spring can live up to all you've invested in them, poor things.
- Sarah Bradshaw, Enfield, Middx, 22/10/2009 09:59
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Sarah I hope you are one of those many millions of people out there that have no problems with "breeding" and maybe even have your own children already. Just give a thought to those out there that are not that lucky, who are willing to go through years of heartache, appointments and uncertainty to have a chance at getting the one thing they truly want a family. IVF is not an easy choice but it is a choice, down to the individual. Having made my choice and gone through this process I can honestly say it's been one of the hardest but happiest periods of my life. Until you have experienced such heartache and devastation of years of infertility I feel you can have no comprehension of the wonderful medical advance IVF truly is.
- Louise, Essex, 21/10/2009 15:15
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Sarah, how ridiculous and insensitive. What about the immense joy and pride of having a baby and the tragedy and misery of those who can't? If any help can be given to these couples then nobody should be denied it and I see nothing wrong in trying anything available. This has to do with love, fulfilment and generosity and nothing to do with breeding senselessly, your words not mine. I also think you will find that unwanted babies around the world are, however, too often the direct result of breeding needlessly.
- Fanfan La Tulipe, London, 21/10/2009 13:44
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This is wrong and makes me so angry. The world is over populated as it is and there are orphanages full of unwanted babies around the world. I believe laws should be relaxed to allow people in the western world to adopt those that exist already, not encouraging more to breed needlessly like this.
- Sarah Bradshaw, Enfield, Middx, 21/10/2009 11:26
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