Who`s who in fertility clinics?
Helen Kendrew, Clinical Nurse Manager, Bath
Assisted Conception Clinic
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Feb 05
Not surprisingly, many couples feel anxious and apprehensive
when they first contact a fertility clinic. In this factsheet we
hope to start to familiarise you with the clinic structure. Of
course, each will vary in its exact set-up, but hopefully we can
provide a general introduction.
When choosing a clinic couples should consider its convenience
to both home and work. If seeking treatment privately of course
there is a wide choice, but even when using NHS-funded services
there is often more than one clinic on offer.
Once treatment gets under way a couple may need to visit the
clinic at least five times and it can be quite stressful to juggle
appointments with travelling, work and home commitments. Fertility
clinics are only too aware of this and will be keen to help treatment
go as smoothly as possible.
The aim of any fertility clinic team is to try to help couples
become pregnant and to give birth to a live healthy baby. Or to
help couples come to terms with the fact that they may not be able
to have children.
Every member of the team has their specific part to play but
will work together to ensure that the best possible care and treatment
is given to couples. A friendly and professional team can advise
and support couples throughout the whole treatment making this
potentially stressful time a more positive experience.
The following is a list of staff that makes up the team.
Secretary/ Receptionist
The administration team in a fertility clinic are usually the
first point of contact and are very experienced in giving general
information and advice. They will be happy to talk about what is
involved in each appointment and will also be able to provide basic
information about the sorts of tests, investigations and treatments
which may be undertaken as well as how long they may take and how
much they will cost.
Gynaecologist
The consultant or doctor will be a gynaecologist
who has undertaken specialised training in this area of medicine
and is very experienced in dealing with couples who are trying
to conceive. They will take a history from both partners,
check the results of any tests previously undertaken and
ensure that any outstanding investigations or examinations
are completed in order to make the correct diagnosis. This
will be discussed with the couple and treatment can then
be arranged. The doctor will carry out many of the procedures
that need to be undertaken. The initial consultation will
take between ½ -1 hour.
Nursing team
Nurses working in fertility clinics will have received specialist
training and be very experienced in this area of medicine. They
will be the main point of contact providing support to the couple
as they go through treatment, coordinating the various investigations
and treatments and explaining what the results might mean. They
will often explain the consent forms in detail, as well as undertaking
some of the procedures which might be necessary, such as scanning.
Embryologists and Andrologists
Andrologists are specialists in male reproductive matters
and undertake the examination of sperm to give detailed information
to the doctors, nurses and patients regarding diagnosis and
treatment options. In some units the andrology service is
provided by the embryologists.
In the IVF laboratory embryologists use their specialist
skills to assess sperm, eggs and embryos and advise the doctors,
nurses and patients about their quality. They are also responsible
for freezing, storage and thawing of eggs, sperm and embryos
as necessary.
Counsellor
All fertility clinics must be able to provide an independent
counsellor for patients. It can be quite stressful undertaking
treatment and whilst the doctors and nurses can help it is often
very useful to spend some dedicated time with the counsellor where
emotions and feelings can be discussed in an informal setting.
He or she will also offer advice to couples who may be considering
treatment with donated eggs, sperm or embryos particularly about
the longer term implications of those treatments.