At Kensington International Clinic, in the heart of London, we have been welcoming women and couples from all over the world for many years, as they start, continue or make sense of their in vitro fertilisation (IVF) pathway. Our medical team, made up of French and international practitioners, supports each patient with the scientific rigour that a parenting project demands, and the care it deserves.
IVF is a complex medical pathway, emotionally demanding, and one that benefits from a lasting relationship of trust with an experienced specialist. In London, our private clinic offers a genuinely multilingual and culturally sensitive pathway for international patients; this is one of the defining vocations.
Our
ivf specialist
Dr Rami Wakim, gynaecologist and IVF specialist with over 30 years experience
Your IVF consultation at Kensington International Clinic is led by Dr Rami Wakim, gynaecologist-obstetrician and fertility specialist. His background is rare: he developed his expertise in in vitro fertilisation (IVF) at Rizk Hospital in Beirut during the 1990s, at a time when the technique was still emerging.
He is one of the few London-based practitioners with more than thirty years’ clinical perspective on assisted reproduction ! Dr Wakim personally performs egg retrievals at the clinic, ensuring continuity of care across every stage of the protocol he supervises.
Dr Wakim consults in English, French and Arabic, making him a particularly well-suited point of contact for the international patient community of London and South Kensington. In an IVF pathway, clear communication in the patient’s mother tongue is much more than a comfort; it is a genuine factor in adherence to the protocol and in the quality of care.
What is IVF treatment and what does it involve ?
In vitro fertilisation (IVF) is an assisted reproductive technique that involves bringing together, in a laboratory, a woman’s eggs and her partner’s sperm (or that of a donor), so that fertilisation takes place outside the body. The resulting embryo or embryos are then transferred into the womb to attempt implantation and pregnancy.
A complete IVF cycle unfolds across several stages, over a period of approximately 4 to 6 weeks:
Ovarian stimulation
For 10 to 14 days, the patient self-administers daily hormone injections to stimulate the growth of several ovarian follicles, with the aim of producing multiple mature eggs;
Monitoring
Regular ultrasound scans and blood tests make it possible to follow follicular growth and fine-tune the treatment in response to the ovaries' reaction; This is the stage where follow-up with our fertility specialist, Dr Wakim, makes a real difference!
Trigger and egg retrieval
Once the follicles are mature, a trigger injection induces ovulation. The egg retrieval takes place around 36 hours later, under light anaesthesia, on an outpatient basis, performed by Dr Wakim at Kensington International Clinic;
Laboratory fertilisation
On the day of the retrieval, the eggs are transferred to our specialist embryology partner, where they are placed with the sperm (conventional IVF) or injected individually (ICSI) by the embryology team recovery of range of motion. It can be an effective alternative to surgery or manipulation under anaesthetic in selected cases.
Embryo culture
The embryos are observed for 3 to 5 days in specialised incubators. The embryologist selects the embryo or embryos with the best chances of implantation;
Embryo transfer
1 or 2 embryos are transferred into the womb using a fine catheter. The procedure is quick, painless, and requires no anaesthesia. High-quality surplus embryos can be frozen for later use;
Pregnancy test
12 to 14 days after the transfer, a blood test confirms whether pregnancy has been achieved. If the result is positive, an early ultrasound follow-up is arranged to check the viability and dating of the pregnancy.
Each stage can be adapted according to your medical profile, your history, and the decisions discussed in consultation. This personalisation of the protocol is precisely what makes the difference in outcomes!
How does an IVF pathways unfold at our clinic
Kensington International Clinic plays a role at several key stages of the IVF pathway:
- Before the IVF protocol: in-depth fertility assessment, full hormonal check-ups, pelvic ultrasound scans, ovarian reserve testing (AMH), exploration of any anatomical or pathological causes, and partner assessment in liaison with our andrology laboratory partners;
- During the protocol at our clinic: ultrasound monitoring of ovarian stimulation, hormonal testing, and egg retrieval performed by Dr Wakim;
- At our specialist embryology partner: laboratory fertilisation (conventional IVF or ICSI), embryo culture, and embryo transfer, all carried out in close coordination with Dr Wakim;
- After the transfer: medical support during the early weeks of pregnancy, early ultrasound follow-up, management of higher-risk situations (recurrent miscarriage, post-IVF pregnancy), and transition to obstetric care.
When is IVF recommended?
In vitro fertilisation is recommended in a specific range of medical situations. Among the most common:
- Unexplained infertility after 12 months of regular intercourse without conception (6 months beyond the age of 35) ;
- Blockage or damage to the Fallopian tubes;
- Severe endometriosis interfering with ovulation or implantation;
- Male factor infertility, in particular severe oligospermia, asthenospermia or teratospermia (IVF with ICSI is then the technique of choice);
- Advanced maternal age and diminished ovarian reserve;
- Repeated failure of intrauterine insemination (IUI);
- Recurrent miscarriage, in certain well-defined contexts;
- A parenting project in a same-sex couple or for a single woman, with sperm donation;
- Genetic indications justifying pre-implantation genetic testing.
IVF prices at Kensington International Clinic
Kensington International Clinic follows a policy of full pricing transparency for all consultations and tests linked to the fertility pathway. The prices below apply to consultations carried out at the clinic.
Service | Duration | Price |
Fertility consultation (individual) | 30 min | £250 |
Fertility consultation (couple) | 30 min | £300 |
Fertility video consultation | 30 min | £180 |
Follow-up consultation | 30 min | £220 |
Fertility scan | 30 min | £200 |
Ovulation scan | 30 min | £180 |
Fertility Health Check (consultation + scan + full blood work) | 60 min | £760 |
Recurrent miscarriage profile (consultation + blood work) | 60 min | £1,450 |
Booking terms
A £70 prepayment is required at the time of booking. The remaining balance is settled on the day of the consultation.
Cancellation policy
In the event of cancellation, the following terms apply:
- More than 72 hours before the appointment: full refund;
- Between 48 and 72 hours: the £70 prepayment is retained;
- Less than 48 hours: the consultation is charged in full.
Many international health insurance plans cover all or part of fertility consultations. We recommend checking your cover directly with your insurer before the appointment.
Kensington International Clinic, a multilingual fertility support for international patients
London is one of the most international medical cities in the world; this is one of the many reasons patients choose it for their IVF pathway: access to state-of-the-art techniques, strict HFEA regulation, a donation framework that differs from some countries of origin, flexible access criteria, internationally recognised specialists.
All the conditions are in place to begin with confidence.
Kensington International Clinic is rooted in London’s French community and gradually opens to a wider international clientele, which has led us to develop a consultation approach that takes the linguistic and cultural dimension of medical care seriously. In practical terms, this means:
- Consultations in English, French and Arabic;
- A deep understanding of transnational medical pathways;
- Administrative coordination with international health insurers;
- Cultural adaptation of medical discussions.
FAQ
Are the IVF cycles carried out at Kensington Clinic?
Kensington International Clinic carries out the consultations, fertility assessments, ovulation monitoring and egg retrieval, all performed by Dr Wakim. The embryology stages (laboratory fertilisation, ICSI, embryo culture and embryo transfer) are conducted at our specialist HFEA-licensed partner clinic, in close coordination with Dr Wakim throughout the cycle.
Can I have an IVF consultation in French in London?
Yes.
Dr Rami Wakim consults in English, French and Arabic.
For more information about this practitioner, please visit his dedicated page.
Do I need a GP referral letter to book a consultation?
No.
Kensington International Clinic is a private clinic; patients are welcomed directly, without a referral letter from their GP.
Do international health insurance plans cover fertility consultations?
Most international private health insurers (Bupa Global, AXA, Allianz Care, Cigna, MSH, APRIL International) cover all or part of fertility consultations.
IVF protocols themselves are rarely reimbursed in full: we recommend checking the specific terms of your policy before any commitment.
What is the difference between the French and UK IVF pathways?
The regulatory frameworks differ significantly, particularly regarding the maximum age for access, the conditions of gamete donation (anonymous in France until the 2021 law, identifiable in the UK since 2005), and financial coverage.
Dr Wakim discusses these differences during the initial consultation, to help patients choose the pathway best suited to their situation.
