IREMA – My Personal Review
Behind IVF Clinic Doors: My Visit to IREMA Clinic, Ondara, Alicante, Spain
When people ask me what it’s like to visit IREMA, the first thing that comes to mind is the sun and calm. The clinic sits right between Alicante and Valencia, not far from the coast, and you can literally walk from the clinic straight to the beach. It’s one of those places that makes you exhale a bit deeper.
Getting there is pretty straightforward; Alicante or Valencia airports both work, though renting a car is definitely the easiest option (taxis can get pricey – be careful to research it well). There’s public transport, too, but I didn’t get a chance to try it.
About the clinic
IREMA has been around for 20 years, and they moved into this new main location just a few months ago. It’s bright, clean, and feels fresh – you can tell they’ve really thought through how the space should work. There’s another smaller branch nearby that mainly handles consultations, but the clinic I visited is where most of the action happens: treatments, procedures, and lab work.
It’s not a big clinic and that’s part of what makes it nice. Everything you need is there, and because the team is small, it feels personal. People know each other, they talk, they laugh. They speak multiple languages, including English, German, Dutch and Spanish.
Arrival at the clinic
When I arrived, they were already expecting me. My coordinator, Brígida, was waiting at reception with a big smile, and from that moment it was clear this was a team that genuinely likes what they do.
The waiting area is modern and light-filled, simple but welcoming. After filling out the forms, I had a quick blood test and then got a full tour of the clinic. Everyone I passed said hello and smiled. People were really making an effort to ensure I was as comfortable as possible. That might sound small, but in a setting like this, it matters.
Medical consultation
My consultation was a pre-transfer one, so we focused on what would happen during the actual embryo transfer. My doctor was Dr Guillermo Terrado, and joining us were Dr Rosana Ribes, the embryologist handling my case, and of course Brígida, my coordinator.
What stood out was how collaborative it felt – three professionals sitting down together, walking me through every detail of what to expect. They showed me how my hypothetical embryos developed, and made sure I had time to ask anything I needed. It was calm, clear, and unhurried.
The IVF Lab
The lab isn’t huge, but it’s spotless and cleverly organized. There are two workstations, a time-lapse monitoring system, a cryopreservation room, and another for the embryologists to work. It connects directly to the operating room, which keeps everything efficient.
Dr Fernando Hernández, one of the founders and senior embryologists, gave me the tour. He showed me how the time-lapse system tracks embryo development – a feature that’s included in egg donation treatments and optional for own-egg cycles. We went through the development of my hypothetical embryo and watched the video of its five day progress.
Acupuncture
IREMA also offers acupuncture, and I had the chance to try it with Vera. She’s gentle, calm, and it feels like she’s been doing this her whole life. I tried both the pre- and post-transfer versions, and it made perfect sense why patients love it; it’s relaxing and grounding. Acupuncture is often used to improve blood flow and support implantation, but beyond that, it just helps you feel calmer.
Embryo transfer
The team also showed me how an embryo transfer looks from a patient’s perspective and it’s actually a lot simpler than a lot of people imagine.
It only takes around ten minutes. You can have your partner or friend there with you, and if you come alone, your coordinator will be more than happy to hold your hand. The doctor places a thin guiding catheter into your uterus, using ultrasound to make sure it’s positioned perfectly. Then, the embryologist brings in the soft transfer catheter with the embryo, and that’s it – the embryo is placed inside. Afterwards, they check the catheter to make sure it’s completely clear, confirming everything went smoothly.
It’s quick, calm, and surprisingly emotional to see, even just as an example.
IREMA – Final thoughts
When I left, I genuinely wanted to hug everyone. IREMA doesn’t feel like a clinic that’s trying to impress you; it just feels human.
It’s small, warm, and full of people who really care. The kind of place where your coordinator knows your story, the doctor remembers the details, and the embryologist comes out to say hi.
If you’re looking for a quieter, more personal experience – somewhere by the sea, where you can breathe and feel looked after – IREMA might be a very good choice.
