Not too late for National Infertility Day

It's not too late to book for National Infertility Day this Saturday if you haven't done so already. It promises to be a fascinating occasion, and the presence of the IVF pioneer, Professor Robert Edwards, will be interesting as it marks thirty years since the birth of the first IVF baby.

There are a huge range of speakers covering virtually every topic you can imagine. You can learn more about the latest developments in fertility treatment, about male and female fertility problems, about donor issues and complementary therapies. There are sessions on surrogacy, adoption and involuntary childlessness as well as assisted reproduction. I am going to be speaking about treatment overseas, and sharing the results of a survey on the subject that will be released tomorrow.

The day-long event is held in Covent Garden in central London, and costs just fifteen pounds. There will also be the opportunity to visit the exhibition stands run by organisations and clinics involved in the field, and to buy books from the bookstand.

If you want to find out more, go to the National Infertility Day website at www.nationalinfertilityday.com

Last chance to give your views on treatment abroad

What do you think about the growing trend to go overseas for fertility treatment? Is it something you've thought about yourself? Or would you have grave concerns about the prospect? Have you already looked into it? Or perhaps even been abroad for treatment?

Whatever your thoughts on the subject, there's a last chance to air them by answering a survey on treatment abroad being carried out by Infertility Network UK for National Infertility Day in July. The survey is due to close in a couple of weeks, and the response so far has been fantastic - but if you've got strong views either way, don't leave it too late to make them known.

You can go straight to the survey here

Thirty years of IVF

This year's National Infertility Day in July will mark thirty years of IVF with a speech from Professor Robert Edwards, the pioneer whose research led to the birth of Louise Brown, the first IVF baby, in 1978.

National Infertility Day is open to anyone who'd like to attend, and a whole host of speakers will cover a wide range of fertility-related topic from specific medical treatments and conditions to complementary therapies and ethical issues. There will also be a good selection of exhibitors, all giving their own advice and information on infertility and treatment. The event is being held at the New Connaught Rooms, close to the heart of London's Covent Garden, on July 19th.

The organisers have also just announced an evening social event with a champagne reception and barbecue at the Grange Whitehall Hotel, where delegates will have a chance to mingle with speakers and exhibitors.

You can book a place now online at www.nationalinfertilityday.com

Fertility pioneers at conference open to all

One of the two pioneers responsible for the birth of the first IVF baby thirty years ago is to speak at a conference open to all this Summer.

Professor Robert Edwards and his colleague Patrick Steptoe worked together to bring about the birth of Louise Brown in July 1978. Now, thirty years on, he will mark the occasion with a special address at the bi-annual National Infertility Day conference in London.

Other speakers at the conference will be addressing a variety of issues linked to infertility, and amongst them will also be Professor Andre Van Steirtehem who developed the technique of injecting sperm right into eggs known as ICSI. ICSI has transformed the prospects for men with sperm problems, many of whom have been able to father their own children thanks to the process.

Bookings are already open for National Infertility Day, and you can find all the latest news and developments on the website, www.nationalinfertilityday.com

A date for your diary

The date has now been set for the next National Infertility Day, which will take place on the 19th of July at the New Connaught Rooms in Covent Garden in Central London. The event will mark thirty years of IVF, and delegates can expect a wide range of speakers on different aspects of fertility. For further updates, you can check the National Infertility Day website here