Reproductive Surgeries in Thailand

IVF clinics in Thailand, mainly in Bangkok, is reporting a substantial increase in the number of tourists seeking ART (Assisted Reproductive Technology) procedures at their clinics. The excessive cost of IVF treatments and other types of ARTs abroad forced Americans and Europeans to consider medical tourism in far off countries that offers cost effective healthcare. Due to favorable reproductive laws that provide many international couples family building options that are either unavailable or illegal in their own countries, IVF clinics in Thailand became a new fertility tourism hot spot.

With the country’s growing reputation as an excellent medical tourism destination and recognized success rates for fertility treatments, IVF clinics in Thailand is drawing in a steady number of patients from abroad each year. Some are seeking third party procedures like egg donation and surrogacy while others are getting IVF in Thailand. In Vitro Fertilization or IVF in Thailand, technically means “fertilization outside of the body.” While considered an experimental procedure for years, IVF in Thailand has been a proven way for many couples to build their family at a significantly cheaper cost.

Fertility treatmens in Thailand offer various ARTs, but the common procedure taken by most tourists would be IVF. Since the majority of medical travelers are couples who have difficulties in conceiving a child, they often avail of top tier fertility treatments in Thailand that is composed of four steps:

1) Use of fertility medications to develop oocytes or “eggs.”
2) Collection of the oocytes (eggs).
3) In Vitro Fertilization of the egg and growth of the embryo.
4) Replacement of the embryo back into the uterus.

The expected recovery time for IVF in Thailand is 72 hours of minimal or no activity. Aside from the common IVF other alternative treatments, includes assisted reproductive procedures (Gamate Intrafallopian Transfer – GIFT; Zygote Intrafallopian Transfer – ZIFT) and ovulation stimulation with intrauterine insemination (IUI).

IVF in Thailand will cost between 165,000 to 200,000 Thai baht ($4500-5500 USD at current exchange rates). There is no way of accurately estimating in advance the cost of IVF. It depends upon your medical history and the amount of medication required. The maximum you will pay is 200,000 Thai baht or $5500 USD. Comparable cost in the U.S. is $12,000 to $20,000 depending upon location and facilities.

Before deciding to undergo an ART, patients must know the risks and probablities of success of fertility treatmens in Thailand or anywhere else.Best success rates of IVF in Thailand are around 35% and it may go lower if the couple is not on their prime age range. However, this could still give you a chance to conceive without spending big if you compare taking the same procedure in highly developed countries like United States, Canada and UK. Fertility treatments in Thailand at a top-rate Bangkok hospital is a third of what it is in the U.S. with inclusive flight tickets, hotel accommodation and a chance to explore Thailand’s beautiful tourist spots.

Filed under: IVF Treatments in Thailand on July 4th, 2009