CARE Fertility vs CREATE Fertility 2026: Prices, Success Rates & Locations

CARE Fertility and CREATE Fertility are two of the most recognised IVF clinic groups in the UK, but they take fundamentally different approaches to treatment. CARE is the largest private fertility group in the country, offering conventional high-stimulation IVF across 11 clinics. CREATE specialises in natural and mild IVF protocols that use fewer drugs — and typically cost less per cycle. Choosing between them comes down to your clinical situation, budget, and how you feel about treatment intensity.

Quick comparison

| | CARE Fertility | CREATE Fertility | |--|---------------|-----------------| | UK clinics | 11 | 5 | | Locations | Birmingham, Bristol, Cambridge, Derby, Dublin, Edinburgh, Exeter, London, Manchester, Northampton, Sheffield | London, Birmingham, Bristol, Manchester, Chelmsford | | IVF from | £3,795 | £3,200 (stimulated) / £1,800 (natural) | | Approach | Conventional stimulation | Natural and mild IVF specialists | | HFEA licensed | Yes | Yes | | Success rates (under 35) | At or above national average (32%) at most centres | Comparable per embryo transferred; lower per cycle started due to fewer eggs collected | | Add-ons offered | Extensive — PGT-A, ERA, EmbryoGlue, endometrial scratch, time-lapse | Selective — time-lapse, PGT-A available | | Funding options | Self-pay, NHS contracts (select locations), finance plans | Self-pay, finance plans |

Success rate source: HFEA national data. National average birth rate per embryo transferred for patients under 35 is approximately 32%. Individual clinic rates vary by year and patient mix.

Pricing comparison

| Treatment | CARE Fertility | CREATE Fertility | |-----------|---------------|-----------------| | Natural IVF cycle | Not a core offering | From £1,800 | | Mild stimulation IVF | Not a core offering | From £3,200 | | Standard IVF cycle | From £3,795 | From £3,950 (full stimulation) | | IVF with ICSI | From £4,795 | From £4,450 | | Egg freezing cycle | From £3,495 | From £3,200 | | Frozen embryo transfer | From £1,495 | From £1,400 | | PGT-A (per embryo) | From £400 | From £400 | | Initial consultation | From £250 | From £200 (includes scan) |

All prices exclude stimulation drugs (typically £800-2,500 depending on protocol). CREATE's mild and natural protocols use significantly fewer drugs, which reduces the total out-of-pocket cost. Always request a full itemised quote before starting treatment.

CARE Fertility — what to know

CARE Fertility is the largest private fertility group in the UK, with 11 clinics stretching from Exeter to Edinburgh. Founded in 1997, it has become one of the most established names in UK reproductive medicine.

Key points:

• Conventional high-stimulation IVF is the standard protocol, aiming to collect as many eggs as possible per cycle
• PGT-A (preimplantation genetic testing) is a particular strength — CARE was an early adopter and has extensive experience with embryo screening
• NHS contracts at several locations, meaning some patients can access CARE-run clinics through NHS-funded cycles (eligibility depends on your ICB)
• Wide geographic reach — 11 clinics means there is likely one within reasonable travel distance for most of England and Scotland
• Comprehensive add-on menu — CARE offers a broad range of optional treatments including EmbryoGlue, endometrial scratch, and time-lapse imaging. The HFEA's traffic-light rating system can help you assess evidence for each
• Research-active group with published studies in reproductive genetics and embryology

CARE suits patients who want a full-service, data-driven approach and access to the latest genetic testing technology.

CREATE Fertility — what to know

CREATE Fertility was founded by Professor Geeta Nargund, a prominent advocate for gentler approaches to IVF. The group operates 5 clinics across England with a focus on reducing the physical, emotional, and financial burden of fertility treatment.

Key points:

• Natural cycle IVF (no stimulation drugs) from £1,800 — the most affordable IVF option in the UK, suitable for patients who respond poorly to drugs or prefer minimal intervention
• Mild stimulation IVF uses lower drug doses (typically 5-9 days of stimulation vs 10-14 days in conventional IVF), producing fewer eggs but at a lower total cost
• Lower drug spend — because protocols use fewer or no stimulation drugs, total cycle cost including medication is often £1,500-3,000 less than conventional IVF
• 5 clinics in London (St Paul's), Birmingham, Bristol, Manchester, and Chelmsford — fewer locations than CARE, concentrated in major cities
• Selective with add-ons — CREATE offers fewer optional extras than many conventional clinics, which aligns with its philosophy of avoiding unnecessary interventions
• Professor Nargund is a vocal campaigner for making IVF more accessible and affordable, and for reducing ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome (OHSS) risk through milder protocols

CREATE suits patients who want a less intensive treatment experience, are concerned about drug side effects, or need to manage costs carefully.

When to choose CARE

• You want conventional high-stimulation IVF to maximise the number of eggs collected per cycle, particularly if you plan to freeze surplus embryos
• PGT-A is important to you — CARE has deep expertise in preimplantation genetic testing, which may be relevant if you have a known genetic condition or recurrent miscarriage
• You live outside major cities — with 11 clinics, CARE has broader geographic coverage, reducing travel burden
• You may be eligible for NHS-funded IVF at a CARE clinic — check with your ICB, as some commission CARE centres for NHS cycles
• You want access to the widest range of add-ons and technologies available at a single clinic group

When to choose CREATE

• You want to minimise drug use — natural or mild IVF protocols mean fewer injections, shorter stimulation, and lower risk of OHSS
• Budget is a primary concern — natural IVF from £1,800 and significantly lower drug costs make CREATE the more affordable option for many patients
• You've responded poorly to high-stimulation IVF in previous cycles — mild and natural protocols can sometimes produce better-quality eggs in low responders
• You prefer a less medicalised approach to treatment, with fewer side effects and a shorter recovery between cycles
• You want to do multiple cycles — because each cycle costs less, some patients find it more sustainable to attempt several mild or natural cycles rather than one or two conventional cycles

Can you get IVF on the NHS?

NICE recommends up to 3 NHS-funded IVF cycles for eligible women under 40, but provision varies dramatically by area. Many Integrated Care Boards (ICBs) fund only 1 cycle, and age limits, BMI criteria, and waiting times differ across the country.

Both CARE and CREATE are HFEA-licensed, and CARE holds NHS contracts in some regions. Whether you can access NHS-funded treatment at either group depends on your local ICB's commissioning arrangements.

Use our NHS IVF eligibility checker to see what your local area offers.

The verdict

CARE and CREATE are both reputable, HFEA-licensed clinic groups — this is not a question of quality, but of philosophy. CARE is the right choice if you want conventional stimulation, wide geographic coverage, and access to genetic testing expertise. CREATE is the right choice if you want a milder, more affordable approach with lower drug burden.

If cost is a deciding factor, CREATE's natural IVF from £1,800 is difficult to match anywhere in the UK. If you want to maximise egg yield in a single cycle and have the budget for conventional IVF, CARE's extensive network and PGT-A experience are strong advantages.

For many patients, the best first step is to book an initial consultation at both (£200-250) and compare the treatment plans offered for your specific situation.

Further reading:

• IVF cost UK guide — full breakdown of what IVF really costs
• NHS IVF eligibility checker — check your local ICB funding
• Finance options for private treatment — spread the cost of IVF