After enduring three years of trying and experiencing a miscarriage, Amanda Lacommare was eager to have a child.

Amanda and her husband, Leonardo, initially sought treatment in Florida, where she went through three rounds of intrauterine insemination (IUI) and two IVF cycles in an Orlando clinic, with no results. This led to significant medical debt amounting to tens of thousands of dollars, leaving them almost ready to give up.

Everything changed when Amanda came across a popular TikTok video on her “For You Page,” where a woman shared her successful IVF experience abroad. Inspired by this story, she researched the Barbados Fertility Clinic, discovering only favorable reviews. Though traveling overseas for fertility treatment was never in their plans, they decided to take the plunge, ultimately celebrating the birth of their son, Mateo, in 2023.

The couple’s total expenses for two trips to Barbados—including medical procedures, travel, accommodations, groceries, and other living costs—were about $30,000, which is significantly less than just two rounds of IVF in Orlando.

Medical tourism isn’t a new concept, but the rise of social media success stories is motivating many couples like the Laccomares to explore options they might have otherwise overlooked.

“I’m so thankful for that young lady who shared her experience,” Lacommare reflects. “Without TikTok, I wouldn’t have known to explore Barbados, and I might not have my baby today.”

Understanding Medical Tourism

Medical tourism refers to traveling abroad to receive medical treatment. According to the CDC, millions of Americans participate in medical tourism yearly, often choosing destinations like Mexico or Canada, along with various countries in Central and South America and the Caribbean.

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Individuals may choose medical tourism to find more affordable care, receive treatment that aligns with their cultural and linguistic needs, or access procedures that are unavailable or not approved in the U.S. However, the CDC warns of possible risks, including complications arising from air travel and communication hurdles, as well as a higher risk of antibiotic-resistant infections in certain regions.

For instance, in 2022, three Americans contracted mycobacterium abscessus after undergoing unapproved stem cell treatments in Mexico, raising alarms about the safety of medical care outside the U.S.

Regardless of the risks, Lacommare feels that their decision was worth it. “It cost half as much, and we enjoyed two vacations in the process.”

New Discoveries During Their Barbados Journey

Once Lacommare reached out to the Barbados Fertility Centre, she had a free consultation with a doctor who suggested she might have high natural killer cells, leading her body to reject her husband’s sperm.

This was a new concept for Lacommare, prompting her to travel to Chicago for specialized blood tests that confirmed the doctor’s hypotheses. The recommendation was to suppress her immune system to enhance the possibility of a successful pregnancy.

“The Barbadian doctor thought outside the box and carefully reviewed all our documents from previous doctors,” she notes.

At the age of 40, Lacommare received an egg donation from her sister. After two rounds of IVF at the Barbados Fertility Centre, they celebrated the arrival of their son, Mateo, in 2023.

Affordable, Comprehensive Care

Lacommare believes the medical care she received in Barbados was both more personalized and thorough than what she experienced in the U.S. “I was apprehensive about going abroad, but I wish I hadn’t been,” she admits.

In Barbados, she had access to various supportive treatments like acupuncture before and after embryo transfers, as well as Reiki and stress management techniques. Her appointments were longer, allowing her to engage deeply with her doctors and address her concerns thoroughly.

Lacommare hopes that by sharing her experience, she can encourage others to explore their options while also emphasizing the importance of doing thorough research: “We returned home with a baby,” she expresses.