From donor eggs to shorter wait times, could India offer a different path to parenthood? Here’s what two doctors want you to know

If you’re considering fertility treatment abroad, you’re certainly not alone. For some people, the cost of treatment in the UK is a major factor. For others, long waiting times, access to particular treatments or donor availability can make looking overseas feel like the most practical way forward.

For British South Asian patients in particular, finding an ethnically matched egg donor in the UK is often pretty challenging, as we’ve covered off here. South Asian egg donors remain in short supply, and when you’re already navigating fertility treatment, that kind of delay can make travelling abroad feel seriously appealing.

India might not be the first destination that springs to mind, but it’s one worth putting on your radar for its diverse donor pool, including greater availability of South Asian donors, alongside advanced fertility and embryology services.

Dr Kate Maclaran and Dr Shabana Bora, co-founders of Alma Fertility, work with The Medical Travel Company (TMTC) to support UK patients considering fertility treatment in India – combining UK-based insight with fertility treatment and aftercare in India, including 24/7 medical support, dedicated concierge services and an in-house chef to help you rest and recover during your stay.

We asked them what they think you should know before adding India to your fertility treatment abroad shortlist. Here’s their expert perspective.

Why should you consider India for fertility treatment?

India has become an increasingly interesting option if you’re looking at fertility treatment abroad because you can access high-quality fertility care while potentially bringing the overall cost of treatment down substantially compared with the UK.

Recent regulation has also strengthened and improved. The Assisted Reproductive Technology Act came into force in 2022, requiring fertility clinics and donor programmes to register and follow defined standards, including requirements around donor screening and written informed consent.

There’s another factor that could be particularly important if you’re looking for an egg donor: availability.

South Asian egg donors remain in short supply in the UK, meaning that if you’re looking for an ethnically matched donor, you could face a wait of two or even three years.

As Dr Maclaran and Dr Bora explain, that’s one of the reasons India keeps coming up in conversations about fertility treatment abroad. The donor pool is larger and considerably more diverse, so you may have access to options that simply aren’t available to you within the same timeframe in the UK.

Who can benefit from donor egg IVF in India?

If you’re considering IVF with egg donation, India could be particularly worth exploring.

This is especially relevant if you’re South Asian and looking for an ethnically matched egg donor. Waiting two or three years for a suitable donor in the UK can have a significant impact on your treatment plans, whereas donor availability in India can give you a different route to consider.

Cost is another consideration. Egg donation in the UK can be expensive, while treatment in India can offer a lower overall cost alongside access to advanced fertility treatment and embryology services.

That doesn’t mean India will automatically be the right choice for you. Your age, diagnosis, previous treatment and donor requirements all need to be considered when you’re deciding where to have treatment.

But if you’ve been put off travelling abroad because you assumed you’d have to compromise on the level of care available, it’s worth looking more closely at what leading Indian clinics can offer.

What treatments and technologies are available to support donor egg IVF in India?

One of the useful things to know when you’re comparing fertility treatment abroad is that India’s leading clinics can offer many of the advanced technologies you’d expect to find in UK and European fertility centres.

For example, the clinics partnered with TMTC offer advanced embryology services including pre-implantation genetic testing (PGT) and advanced sperm selection.

For you, that means you can explore donor treatment while still having access to a broad range of embryology expertise.

The donor pool is also a key difference. If you’re looking for a South Asian donor, India can offer considerably greater availability than you’re likely to find in the UK or many European destinations.

Of course, you’ll still want to ask exactly which treatments and technologies are appropriate for you. A clinic offering a particular technology doesn’t automatically mean you need it, so make sure your treatment plan is based on your medical history rather than a menu of add-ons.

What if you’ve already had unsuccessful IVF elsewhere?

If you’ve already been through one or more unsuccessful IVF cycles, you may be understandably wary of simply doing the same thing somewhere new.

This is where TMTC’s approach really stands out.

Before recommending an international treatment pathway, Dr Maclaran and Dr Bora would carry out a detailed review of your previous treatment. They look at the protocol you were given, how your embryos developed and were graded, what your endometrium looked like at transfer and the details of what happened during your previous cycles.

That information can then shape what happens next.

You might be advised to consider a different stimulation protocol. You may need additional testing. Or, depending on your circumstances, donor eggs might become a consideration earlier than you had expected.

The important thing is that your previous treatment is actually looked at in detail.

As Dr Maclaran and Dr Bora put it, if you’ve been through unsuccessful cycles, you need to feel heard on the specifics rather than simply reassured in general terms. That starts with someone properly reviewing what happened before deciding what to do next.

What is the procedure of IVF treatment in India​, and how does TMTC support this?

Travelling abroad for fertility treatment adds another dimension to the process. You’re already dealing with appointments, medication and treatment decisions, and then there’s the practical side of travelling to another country on top of it all.

TMTC is designed to take some of that logistical weight off your shoulders.

Before you travel, your UK consultant and Indian consultant work together to plan your cycle. You’ll have a named consultant in the UK and a named consultant at your partner clinic in India, rather than simply being passed from one team to another.

TMTC also handles practical arrangements including visas, flights and accommodation. Once you’re in India, you’ll have a private chauffeur and someone available around the clock on the ground.

And importantly, the support doesn’t stop when you fly home.

The UK and Indian teams remain involved throughout the process, giving you continuity before, during and after treatment.

The wider TMTC experience also includes dedicated concierge support, 24/7 medical assistance and an in-house chef, giving you a supported base while you’re in India.

3 questions to ask before choosing an overseas fertility clinic

There’s a lot to think about when you’re comparing fertility clinics abroad, but Dr Maclaran and Dr Bora suggest starting with three questions.

1. How are donors screened and consented?

Ask exactly what donor screening involves, how consent is obtained and whether the programme meets the regulatory standards of the country where you’ll have treatment.

If you’re looking for an ethnically matched donor, ask about donor availability too, including how the clinic manages matching and what the likely waiting time is.

2. What does the quoted price actually include?

Don’t stop at the headline IVF or egg donation price.

Ask whether medication, additional treatment attempts, genetic testing, embryo storage and potential complications are included. These costs can make a significant difference to the final amount you spend.

Having the full picture upfront will make it much easier to compare treatment in the UK with treatment abroad.

3. Who will look after me before, during and after treatment?

This one is particularly important.

Ask who your named point of contact will be before you travel, who will coordinate your care while you’re abroad and what support you’ll have once you return to the UK.

A clear answer should give you confidence that there’s a joined-up plan behind your treatment, rather than you being handed over to a new team when you arrive.

Considering donor egg IVF in India?

If India wasn’t on your shortlist before, it might be time to add it. And if you’re looking for an egg donor, particularly a South Asian donor, it’s a destination that deserves a closer look.

You could have access to a larger and more diverse donor pool, advanced embryology services and high-quality fertility treatment, while potentially paying considerably less than you would for comparable treatment in the UK. And if you’ve already had unsuccessful treatment, a more personalised approach matters.

That’s the thinking behind TMTC’s (incredible) approach, with UK-based clinical support while working closely with their colleagues in India so you have people who understand both sides of the process. Add in their practical support, including 24/7 medical assistance, concierge support and help with your travel arrangements, and you have a much more joined-up way to explore fertility treatment abroad. 

Hop over to their website to learn more about their fertility services, and book in to speak to a UK fertility doctor for free to find out if it’s the right option for you.

Want to hear more from The Medical Travel Company? Read this next: Is fertility treatment overseas really just as credible as the NHS? Often, yes – here’s how