Hold My Hand Book Tour – Extract

‘. . . the cost of the vitrification starts at three thousand pounds for one harvesting procedure, but there are discounted rates for subsequent treatments.’

‘And would you recommend that?’

The doctor – well-tanned, athletic, expensive-looking wire-rimmed spectacles – spread his hands.

‘In most cases, the initial hormone boost should allow us to harvest more than one egg. Of course, probability-wise, you are more likely to conceive the more cycles of fertilisation you undertake.’ He looked at the papers in front of him.

‘Based on your age, any single attempt yields a twenty-two per cent chance of a successful pregnancy.’

‘One in five,’ said Jo flatly.

‘A little better that that,’ replied the doctor.

Not great odds either way. Her phone stopped ringing.

The doctor cocked his head sympathetically and removed his glasses.

‘Ms Masters, I realise this is a big decision for anyone, whether a woman of twenty years, or someone older. No fertility treatment is foolproof. But I can assure you that here at Bright Futures, we are solely concerned with providing you with the best possible care and outcomes. Our protocols are designed to the highest medical technology standards in the field. Our results reflect that – we’re in the top ten percentile points of success.’