Travelling alone for IVF abroad: what’s possible, and when you need someone with you

Travelling alone for IVF abroad: this is a question that arises for single women, couples where the partner is unable to travel due to work commitments, and egg donation recipients who are only coming for the embryo transfer. It is possible, and often simpler than one might imagine. But there is one day when the anaesthetists’ instructions are clear: after an egg retrieval under sedation, you must not go home on your own.

Here’s what changes depending on your treatment, how to organise that day, and the checklist I provide before travelling alone.

What you can do on your own, depending on your treatment

The transfer is carried out without anaesthesia and takes just a few minutes: you can come and go on your own. Details of your stay can be found at how many days to stay in Greece.

On the day of egg retrieval: why you need someone with you

Egg retrieval is often carried out under sedation, sometimes under general anaesthesia: ask the clinic which method they use. In both cases, the effects do not stop as soon as you leave the operating theatre. The Royal College of Anaesthetists summarises this in its information sheet for accompanying persons: judgement may remain impaired for up to 24 hours. During this time, the person must not drive, must not drink alcohol, must not sign any legal documents and must not make any important decisions, even if they feel well.

The same leaflet states that the team will only allow the patient to leave once they have fully recovered and a responsible adult, aged 18 or over, is present to take them home, by car or taxi, rather than by public transport. Public IVF clinics apply the same rule: a UK clinic requires that the patient’s partner or a responsible adult accompanies her and takes her home; a Swiss clinic requires that she be accompanied by an adult and that she does not drive for 24 hours.

A taxi alone is therefore not a substitute for this person: the driver drops you off but does not look after you. Each Greek clinic sets its own rules for leaving; ask for these in writing before booking. The schedule for the day is set out in the egg retrieval, hour by hour.

Who can accompany you?

It doesn’t necessarily have to be a partner. A friend, a sister, your mother, someone you trust: you need an adult to accompany you back, remain contactable and be able to pop in to see you in the evening. This person doesn’t need to stay for the whole stay: two or three days around the egg retrieval are sufficient. If no one can come, let’s discuss this before you leave: depending on the clinic’s rules, I may be able to accompany you on the day.

One detail that’s often overlooked: as you cannot sign anything within 24 hours of sedation, administrative appointments must be scheduled before the egg retrieval. If your case requires a notarised document, sign it in the days leading up to the procedure, never on the afternoon of the procedure itself. The list, organised by situation, can be found in the documents for IVF in Greece.

If your partner cannot come

His absence does not hold up the process, but it needs to be planned for. Written consent is still required, and the freezing of embryos requires the written consent of both partners. His sperm, however, can be frozen in advance at the Greek clinic or sent from a clinic in your own country. The options are compared in the partner who is absent on the day.

If you are undergoing this treatment as a single woman, the legal framework and steps are set out in assisted reproduction for single women; on the day of the egg retrieval, the rules regarding a support person apply to you just as they do to everyone else.

Sleeping, getting around, calling for help

• Accommodation close to the clinic, just a few minutes’ walk away, rather than somewhere with a lovely view on the other side of town, with a fridge for your medication and a lift.
• The clinic’s emergency number saved in your phone, along with the number of the person accompanying you.
• Greek emergency numbers: 112, the European emergency number; 166 for ambulances; 1571 for the tourist police, available 24 hours a day.
• A relative at home who is kept informed and knows your travel dates, the address of your accommodation and the name of the clinic.
• A fully charged battery and copies of your documents, both on paper and on your phone.

What to pack, including medication, can be found in the packing list.

Alone, but not isolated

The hardest part of travelling alone is rarely the logistics. It’s the waiting room, hearing the number of eggs retrieved, and returning to the hotel in the evening. Decide before you leave who you’ll text that day, and who will be with you – either in person or on the phone – on the day of the pregnancy test, which you’ll take at home.

Patient organisations can help: Fertility Europe, which represents organisations for people affected by infertility across Europe, is a good starting point for finding one in your country. What really helps psychologically is summarised in psychological support during assisted reproduction.

The checklist before travelling alone

• the clinic’s written rules regarding discharge after egg retrieval;
• the name of the person who will be accompanying you on that day, and their travel dates;
• accommodation a few minutes’ walk from the clinic, with a fridge;
• the notarised document and the consent forms signed before the egg retrieval, if required by your case;
• the clinic’s emergency number, 112 and 166, saved in your phone;
• flexible tickets, and an extra night’s accommodation;
• someone at home to contact, and another person to contact on the day of the test.

If you’re travelling alone and would like us to organise these days together, please email me.

Frequently asked questions

Source: https://fertilitegrece.com/en/blog/travelling-alone-ivf-greece/ — Triada Baloukoudis, IVF patient coordination in Greece. General information, not medical or legal advice. Printed on

Triada Baloukoudis
Independent IVF patient coordinator in Thessaloniki, with 24 years of experience supporting patients travelling from abroad. More · Contact · Facebook