Online Reviews

I've been talking to EMBIO for a while because I wanted to know a lot about IVF treatment in Greece and because it's so difficult in the UK with my age (47) to get pregnant. Their IVF coordinator has been very good, she talked me through everything, step by step, and I started the treatement at home. It was very helpful, so I didn't have to waste a lot of money in Athens staying at a hotel, and the treatment went on as soon as I got to Athens. I had donor egg ivf with my partner's sperm. This is my first IVF, and I tried with donor eggs to improve my chances of getting pregnant.

Dr Paraschos and everyone else there is welcoming, is good, they way they talk to you, they relax you. I emailed them like 2 in the morning, bless them.
And then they're always replying me asap. The IVF coordinator helped me to find a hotel to stay, which was very good.

I recommend this to anyone of my age to come and TTC at Embio in Athens.

My sperm was good, good mobility, good quantity, but my partner did not have enough eggs due to premature ovarian failure. It has taken us 3 years trying unsuccessfully, and we had an insemination. All stimulations did not work.

We were registered on waiting lists for egg donation in France in 3 different hospitals close to where we live. You have to wait for 3 years for a donor free of charge. If you find the donor yourself, the waiting time will be reduced by 6 months.

At 38 and 39, we said we could not wait, and hospital TOURS 37000 mentioned two countries for egg donation, namely, Spain and Greece. The doctor there referred us to EMBIO clinic, because she had the opportunity to visit this clinic herself.

We sent emails to two clinics in Spain and two in Greece. We had quotes from 7000 to 10,000 euros in Spain, and from 4000 to 5000 euros in Greece. We had contacts with EMBIO (in Athens) and Iakentro (in Salonica).

I immediately rejected Iakentro, because they required a cash payment, which is prohibited by French law. We cannot pay more than € 3,000 in cash to a professional.

We planned to stay for 7 days, although three days were enough for the egg donation treatment.

My partner has a retroverted uterus and so the embryo transfer really hurt.

During the embryo transfer, 3 doctors in France took 45 minutes to 1 hour each to get the embryos into the right place in the womb. Dr Paraschos only took 3 minutes, as he realized the situation himself, and used a shaped tool to reach the bottom of the uterus.

I will never forget this common sense solution, and how Dr Paraschos has invented these tools by which he can see and reach the bottom of the uterus. It seems incredible how French doctors never thought of such things!

We had 6 embryos initially and 4 good embryos on the day they were transferred. The doctor said that, normally, there only remain one or two.

The relationship with the doctor is very good. You get the feeling of being treated personally in a private office, always in the presence of your IVF coordinator who speaks French excellently, on a PhD level.

We forgot about Spain because it was twice as expensive and we also had to pay for the cost of donor’s treatment. Once we realized we could not make external transfer and should pay cash, we had the choice between the two Greek hospitals.

Our choice was made in the process of 30 emails exchanged with Elena, the IVF coordinator, for 7 months. She was so involved in her responses that there could be no better choice for us. We knew we wouldn’t go anywhere else but Embio, even if we could find a cheaper clinic.

I came here for an IVF treatment using a donor egg, because we want to have a child together. We’re a second relationship. We tried to have a natural conception, which didn’t work. David is 53 and I’m 50 and we are too old to have any IVF treatment in the UK. We did some research. Greece was very favourable, and Embio had a very good profile.

On the whole, communication was very good, very informative. We had some initial communication with Dr Paraschos and then our IVF coordinator took over.

Today we had the implantation. It was fine, very quick, painless. I was very nervous, but no need to be nervous. Three embryos were transferred.

Our blue-eyed egg donor in Athens

The donor has blue eyes like us. We couldn’t have a brown-eyed child. It would look impossible genetically.

Cost of IVF Treament in Greece

We were quite pleased with the cost, because it was less than we thought it would be.

IVF holidays

We needed to be here for 5 days, but we chose to come longer for vacation. Athens is a good location with lots of things to do and see. We both like ancient history, so it’s a perfect place. We went to Nafplion, the old capital, and Epidaurus.

Dr Paraschos

Dr Paraschos is very friendly, appears very approachable and informative, communicates very effectively.

Egg donation in Greece at Embio

The clinic is modern, spacious, easy to find, easy to park (we hired a car from the airport).

It has been easy. Nothing has been too difficult or complicated.

The staff at Embio were being very helpful and informative through the whole process. The doctor was very personable and made us feel comfortable. He was very easy to ask. We never felt anything was a bother. The embryo transfer went according to plan, even though I was very nervous.

I had IVF sperm donor and donor eggs. In Victoria, where I live, the age limit for donor eggs is 45. I looked for donor eggs for a year.

About EmBIO IVF Clinic, in one word, I would say: Outstanding!

Dr Paraschos is very gentle and caring.

They said I could travel on the same day after the embryo transfer, but I chose to stay and have vacation in Greece and Cyprus, and I’m going to Spain and Paris, so I’ll be in Europe until September.

Four embryos were transferred today. I’m excited.

Everything was perfect. I couldn’t have asked for a better experience.

I feel that they took care of me.

I’ve had 2 miscarriages in the past and I thought to give me a better chance with egg donation. I’m 50 and my periods are starting to be irregular.

I did a lot or research and thought Embio clinic looked more professional and Dr Thanos worked with Professor Winston, and I thought it was all meant to be.

I remembered Dr Paraschos’ face from the TV programmes I had watched when I was younger.

Everything added together. The website was really professional. It had all the information.

I messaged IVF Coordinator and she answered all my questions. I asked the best options for me. Our IVF Coordinator answered back straight away. Communication was really good.

When I was anxious about something, I emailed our IVF Coordinator and she reassured me. She got back in touch and told me everything upfront, very honest about things.

It was actually an easier process than I thought.

I was anxious coming over here, but I was really reassured when I met the Doctor. It was a lot more simple than I thought it would be.

There were no problems with the language because our IVF Coordinator spoke very good English and the Doctor as well. We even asked to take a photograph with the Doctor and our IVF coordinator. We wouldn’t have done that if we hadn’t felt comfortable.

The clinic even changed the dates for us because we were moving house.

(Peter) I had my sperm test in Scotland and I was nervous it took 3 attempts because I was too anxious. And we came here at Embio and I had the choice to do it at the hotel and not at the clinic. I chose the hotel because it felt more comfortable.

We got a taxi which was fine. It was quite easy to get to the clinic. Only 10 euros from the centre of Athens to the clinic.

(Ann) Our IVF Coordinator told us that there were 4 eggs fertilized, but they implanted only three, because one of them was not good.

Today during the embryo transfer, Peter was more nervous than I was.

The embryo transfer was quick. They found a polyp outside the uterus. Now I’ll go to check it up. I wouldn’t have known that if I hadn’t done the embryo transfer. So it’s good.

All the medication was explained properly.  After contact is going to be good, which is reassuring, as well.

Whatever happens, we’re glad we chose this clinic.

We went to the Acropolis, the Olympic Stadium the Parthenon, Attica Zoo, to Piraeus, we took the ferry across to Salamina…

Margreet: In Holland, once you turn 43 plus one day, IVF is out for you. Nobody cares. Your insurance doesn’t cover ivf for women over 43. Of course, you can do ivf or an egg donation treatment, but all the ivf cost is on you. It’s sad, because you know you have paid all your life for insurance, but when they hear you’re 44 or something, it’s goodbye ivf, let alone egg donation or embryo donation! Your hands are tied. So all you can do is look for a trustworthy ivf clinic, or better yet, an egg donation clinic, preferably abroad.

Christiaan: Egg donation in Spain is more expensive. We chose to have our ivf treatment with oocyte donation in Greece (egg donation costs are lower in Greece). EMBIO ivf clinic is more than you expect.

Margreet: Besides the fertility specialist, Thanos Paraschos, our IVF Coordinator is always there for us. I call her anytime, for whatever I need. She even sent the ivf drugs we needed to Holland, unbelievably quickly. She explained everything beautifully. Everything goes on in a very soothing way.

Christiaan: You’d never expect that high level of service in a fertility clinic in Southern Europe!

Margreet: What we need to say here is that any couple looking for egg cell donation can contact the IVF coordinator for EMBIO in Greece, or Fertility Specialist Dr Thanos Paraschos himself, and find out everything. And we can tell you through the IVF coordinator anything else you need to know about our ivf experience with egg donation in Greece at EMBIO and Dr Paraschos. There are good chances at EMBIO to get pregnant. Look at their ivf success rates. IVF at 44 is possible, you know.

Christiaan: Today, Tuesday, I gave sperm and in 2 days we’ll go through the embryo transfer here at EMBIO. And we’re going back on Sunday. We’d love to stay more in Greece, but in my line of business that’s not possible.

Margreet: If we had the chance to be here, the ultrasound tests would be free at EMBIO.

Christiaan: The last few days Margreet took extra good care of me so I wouldn’t catch a cold, as a friend had told us the quality of sperm is influenced when you have the flu. We didn’t ask Dr Paraschos, but we took all the extra care we could, to make sure everything goes well, and we have our baby!

Read more donor egg ivf success stories!

In England they won’t help you with a fertility treatment if you are over 40.

So at 50, and after a year with no menstruation, a friend found Embio on the internet. She was also interested for egg donation in Greece. She said, “You try first. I’ll try after you.”

So I was ‘sent’ to Embio, Athens to see how it goes.

And… it’s triplets!

Fortune favours the brave!

My first children, from a previous marriage, were conceived naturally. My eldest daughter was very supportive regarding my donor egg treatment. Now she’s quite excited with the triplets.

Our donor egg babies will look like me

We know of the donor’s height, the colour of her eyes, her occupation, colour of her hair, her interests, and her age. She’s 28.

Dr Paraschos picked the best match: Fair complexion, blond hair, brown eyes.

The IVF experience

Everything was very easy. Our IVF coordinator, gave us the prescription for the medication and an online chemistry in the UK.

From the medication I’ve had some bloated feeling, but only when the doses went higher. This lasted 4-5 days. It’s nothing bad. I was drinking more water, it helps.

We also went to the Acropolis, and the beach.

So now, it’s my friend’s turn.

Hi Elena,