News, events and schools' information for families across Bath and West Wiltshire

A special Valentine’s eve event to provide help and advice to couples who want a baby is being held in Bristol.

Appropriately-named Dr Valentine Akande, an internationally recognised fertility expert, will explain the options open to people who have been trying for a baby at the Bristol Centre for Reproductive Medicine (BCRM) on Thursday February 13.

With around one in six couples struggling to conceive, the team at BCRM, which has the highest success rate in the South West for IVF, will be offering invaluable advice, free of charge, about ways to achieve conception.

Dr Valentine Akande, who heads the team, said, “Valentine’s Day often means that a number of people think about starting or extending their family. Our job is to help those for whom this is not straightforward.

“We’ve arranged this session so that anyone experiencing difficulties can come and access the very best fertility advice and support, free of charge, whether they’re hoping to benefit from NHS funded treatment or pay privately.”

The event will start with a short introductory presentation by Dr Akande at 6pm, followed by free one-to-one mini consultations in private with one of BCRM’s specialist consultants, so that people can ask about their particular situation. 

There will also be tours of the centre, which is the longest established fertility clinic in Bristol, including an opportunity to meet members of the laboratory team and view the state-of-the-art facility where their specialist IVF, ICSI and IUI treatments take place.

During the evening people will be able to find out about other services such as the use of donor sperm or counselling and treatment support services and will come away with a realistic overview of how the team can help and how much it costs.

Dr Akande added, “Because we’ve already helped thousands of people achieve their dream of having a baby, we understand how emotional and stressful the process can be, which is why this event will be both friendly and informative. There are usually many questions to be answered before people are in a position to take the first steps.

“Our clinic has outstanding success rates – 33%, of embryos transferred result in births, which is the best in the region. This owes much to the emphasis we place on putting patients first and keeping them informed at all times. Trust and integrity are what it’s all about.”

The event runs from 5.45 to 8pm, with free parking available outside the clinic which is located on the Southmead Hospital site. To register email email hidden; JavaScript is required  or phone 0117 3018605.