“A Holiday with a Purpose”

“We could not have been more pleased.  We had a holiday in Barbados, our IVF cycle and most importantly, got pregnant!  It was like a dream.  We received top class quality care and cannot praise all your team enough.  Our previous cycles were so traumatic, but you have shown us how IVF should be done – we just wish we had found you sooner!” – UK Patient Testimonial

Barbados Fertility Centre (BFC) has offered the latest techniques and highest quality fertility treatment at competitive prices since 2004.  Fertility Treatment at the BFC starts as low as $6,000.  The clinic is accredited by the Joint Commission International, the international arm of the U.S. based Joint Commission.  All of BFC's physicians and staff have excellant international credentials and are 100% English speaking.

The patient experience at BFC is unique because BFC places great emphasis on creating a stree-free environment.  BFC starts by only accepting a limited number of patients each month, which gives them the time to provide individualized servie to each patient.  By making sure that patient's are prepared for their stay and always comfortable, BFC helps keep stress levels down and create an environment for successful IVF treatment.

The average stay for fertility patients is 14 days and couples chan choose from comfort, luxury, premium or elite accommodation packages.  About 80% of BFC's patients come from outside of Barbardos (including other Caribbean islands, the United Kingdom, Canada, and the United States).  BFC performs 350 to 400 IVF and ICSI (intracytoplasmic sperm injection) and 1,500 intrauterine inseminations (IUI) procedures each year. 

Together, Global MD and BFC will help you design a customized travel package that is tailored to your unique needs including services such as:

• Procedure Financing;
• A personal concierge who will care for you and assist you prior to your treatment and during your recovery;
• Recovery in beautiful settings in exceptional hotels or recovery facilities carefully monitored by your treating physician and medical staff; and
• Tour and sightseeing arrangements for you and your companions.

Who May Consider Fertility Treatment

The decision to seek fertility treatment is an important and difficult one.  One in six couples are challenged by conception.  It is important to get medical fertility assistance as soon as possible if you have tried for 12 months without getting pregnant.  Women’s fertility starts to decrease from the age of 30, with a marked decline in the mid-30’s.  Starting treatment early can make the difference. 

Modern advancements in medicine, micro-surgery and fertility treatments have made healthy pregnancy possible for most patients who seek expert infertility advice. 

Selecting Your Fertility Doctor and Treatment Center

Choosing the right fertility specialist can be as important to your success as the treatment itself.  The high cost of fertility treatment in the USA (up to $30,000) and the complications of dealing with day-to-day responsibilities while concealing doctor visits and disappointments from friends and family can be stressful.  This added stress can impact the likelihood that your treatment will be successful. 

There is an alternative to the high costs and stress often associated with fertility treatment … 

Global MD’s partner, Barbados Fertility Centre, a dedicated fertility treatment center, can help you realize your dream of a baby.  The Barbados Fertility Centre is accredited by the Joint Commission International, the US organization whose seal of approval ensures patients the facility has passed a rigorous evaluation of quality of care, standardized procedures, and transparency.  Barbados Fertility Centre is a highly specialized and elite fertility institution, located on the tranquil island of Barbados, surrounded by turquoise ocean waters, dazzling white sandy beaches and exquisite weather. 

Meet The Team of Experts at Barbados Fertility Centre

Dr. Juliet Skinner co-founded the Barbados Fertility Centre and leads the team of highly trained professionals.  Dr. Skinner is responsible for the diagnosis and treatment of patients.  Her mission is to give couples the best chance to conceive.  Dr. Skinner received her training at Trinity College in Dublin, Ireland.  She is a dynamic medical professional, with extensive experience in large medical institutions.  Patients feel immediately at ease in her care.

Anna Hosford, IVF Nurse Specialist, co-founded Barbados Fertility Centre with Dr. Skinner and has a wealth of fertility experience working in IVF clinics in San Francisco, Ireland and Barbados.  Irish-born, Anna is a high-spirited woman with a reassuring bedside manner.  Anna is your first point of contact with the Centre and will help you identify the fertility issue and arrange your telephone consultation with Dr. Skinner.  As your treatment progresses, Anna keeps you informed every step of the way.

Damian Pike, Senior Embryologist, is responsible for fertilizing the eggs with the sperm and caring for embryos during incubation.  Damian is UK-born with tremendous experience working in UK IVF clinics and as the former HFEA Inspector.

Rachel de Gale, Patient Liaison Manager, coordinates travel and non-medial aspects of your treatment.  She is highly organized, paying special attention to every detail.  Rachel’s care and attention to your every need ensures that you can focus on the important job of relaxing and getting pregnant.

Lauren Marshall, Clinical Psychologist, trained at the University of Central Florida in Orlando.  Lauren moved to Barbados in 2006 to work in private practice.  Lauren leads the Healthy Mind and Body Program, designed to help you optimize your general health and well-being, and most importantly, your reproductive health.  She works with each couple to help them develop individualized techniques for dealing with the stress of infertility, and to manage the pressures of treatment to obtain the best results possible from IVF treatment.

The Fertility Treatment Process

Right away, Global MD will connect you with an IVF nurse specialist who will obtain a detailed medical and fertility history from both partners and schedule you for a telephone consultation with a fertility doctor.  Because each patient is different, and fertility can be impacted by many different factors, your treatment is tailored to meet your unique needs.

Your Patient Liaison Manager will coordinate non-medical arrangements and work closely with your IVF Nurse Specialist, who will coordinate medical arrangements.  Every member of the team is dedicated to optimizing your comfort, reducing your stress and increasing your likelihood of conceiving.

Upon arrival in Barbados, you will be picked up in a luxury car and taken to your first appointment at the clinic, where you will meet the staff in person and continue with your treatment. 

Every aspect of your treatment is managed individually.  You and your doctor will make decisions together on a step by step basis based on how the cycle and the embryos are developing.  For example, while for some couples, a day 3 transfer with assisted hatching is the best treatment option, other couples may require an extended culture (Blastocyst) and day 5 transfer.  Keeping you informed and involved with your treatment may help alleviate the stress of the unknown.

After 14 days, your medical treatment and holiday is complete, and you may return home.  You will be wisked from you hotel to the airport in a private luxury car, easing any anxiety associated with travel. 

Once you arrive home, your Patient Liaison Manager will call you to ensure your safe arrival.  Now, we all wait for the results of the pregnancy test.

The Global MD and Barbados Fertility Centre Difference

State of the Art Facilities – A Center of Excellence

The clinical and laboratory facilities at Barbados Fertility Centre are state of the art.  The reception area, consultation rooms, and the top of the line ultrasound monitoring suites are fully outfitted with the latest equipment such as a new egg retrieval theatre and recovery room.  The new IVF laboratory was designed to provide the best environment for embryo culture and features specially-designed positive pressure air-conditioning and air filtration systems.

Higher Success Rates

Success rates at the Barbados Fertility Centre are significantly better for all age ranges than published national success rates in the USA and the UK.  In 2007, 47% of Barbados Fertility Centre’s patients under 35 were successful in getting pregnant.  Patients aged 35 to 37 years were successful in 33% of treatment cycles.  Barbados Fertility Centre is dedicated to continuously improving its success rates to help more patients achieve pregnancy. 

Value-Based Pricing

Fertility treatment in the USA can cost up to $30,000 and is less likely to succeed.  Barbados Fertility Centre is committed to delivering high quality medical care and the best chance of successful IVF treatment.  While never compromising on the standard of care each patient receives, Barbados Fertility Centre offers you a higher likelihood of success at a significant savings.

Treatment Description Cost*
IVF Treatment                 $6,000
IVF Treatment with ICSI    $7,000
Egg Donor IVF                 $7,500
Blastocyst Fee                   $250

* Prices are subject to change and do not include medication.

A variety of value-priced holiday packages are available for your comfort and accommodation while receiving treatment at the Barbados Fertility Centre.  With comprehensive two-week airfare, hotel and ground transportation packages starting at $5,000, you are sure to find one that suits your needs and your budget.

A Successful Philosophy

Barbados Fertility Centre’s approach is centered on BALANCE, and creating the right environment for you to successfully conceive.  Surrounded by the turquoise ocean, dazzling white sandy beaches and exquisite weather, Barbados Fertility Centre is in a class by itself.  From the moment you contact the unmatched professionals at Barbados Fertility Centre, you are instantly at ease.  You will receive professional, prompt and compassionate treatment.  By meeting your every need and creating a seamless program of medical and holistic treatment, the goal at Barbados Fertility Centre is to relieve as much pressure as possible so you can focus on relaxing. 

Research as shown that stress can aggravate infertility, but learning to deal with stress and reducing stress can increase a couples’ chances of conceiving.  Relaxing on a warm white sandy beach while looking over the infinite turquoise waters will help you and your partner unwind as the stress melts away.

The Healthy Mind and Body Program, a focal point of treatment at the Barbados Fertility Centre, combined with the tranquility of the island, contribute to the relaxing environment.  As part of this program, approximately every 2 days you will receive a pre-scheduled Healthy Mind and Body treatment in the comfort of your room including de-stressing reflexology sessions, therapeutic acupuncture treatments and relaxing couples massages.  Also included in the program is a session with a specially trained counselor to alleviate the stress associated with infertility and teach you new ways to restore your sense of control over anxiety and physical tension.