Dr Kirsten Øvergaard Hope

An experienced fertility doctor with a personal approach.

Dr Hope has worked in fertility treatment since 2006, but experience is not the only thing that sets her apart. It is the way she, like all the doctors at the clinic, adapts each treatment to your particular situation. After completing her medical degree at the University of Bergen, she spent eleven years at the Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology at Haukeland University Hospital, where she learned to see the whole picture.

In 2017 she joined Klinikk Hausken in Bergen, where she could finally focus fully on what she cares about most: helping people become parents. The clinic's philosophy is clear: whether you are single or in a couple, no two stories are the same, so everyone deserves an individual treatment plan.

“Taking plenty of time at the first consultation, and a genuine interest in each patient, are important for the best possible treatment plan.”

IVF with the latest methods.

Klinikk Hausken uses advanced technology such as the embryoscope to follow embryo development closely, and has introduced new laboratory methods to optimise embryo selection. The clinic has a culture where “it matters to be early with new methods”, but where technology supports the experienced embryologists rather than replacing them.

Dr Hope keeps up to date with the latest methods through national and international conferences. After each conference she shares the key insights with her colleagues, so that the whole team can benefit from the advances.

Some of Norway's best results with frozen embryos.

Klinikk Hausken has had some of Norway's best results in fertility treatment for several years, compared with both private and public clinics. Frozen embryo transfers in particular succeed more often here than at most other clinics.

At the clinic, success is not only about figures and percentages. “Every woman and every couple has to be assessed individually,” Dr Hope explains. Like all the doctors, she looks at egg reserve, age, weight and previous treatment. Do you have endometriosis, PCOS or an autoimmune disease? All of this affects how your treatment is planned.

Individual fertility treatment that fits your needs.

At Klinikk Hausken we always start with a thorough assessment of your egg reserve based on ultrasound and AMH levels. If you have had fertility treatment elsewhere, we look at the doses and your response in previous cycles. Particular conditions need extra attention, and sometimes surgery has to be considered.

Dr Hope also wants you to understand the process: “I want to explain what IVF involves, why it works and what results they can expect.” She gives you realistic expectations and prepares you for both the ups and the downs.

“We have fun at work! Good humour, kindness and a good atmosphere in the corridors – I think that makes patients feel safe.”

Support throughout treatment.

With eight doctors and several clinics, Klinikk Hausken always has colleagues to discuss difficult cases with. Dr Hope always talks challenging cases through with her colleagues to find the best solutions. The team works closely across all professional groups and communicates well about patients who need particular follow-up.

The nurses take their time with each patient and actively ask how things are going, which helps the team spot those who need extra support along the way.

Follow-up when treatment doesn't work.

When treatment does not go as hoped, Dr Hope offers a follow-up consultation, by phone or in person. You go through the treatment together, and you have the chance to ask questions. She clarifies your expectations and explains the outlook for further treatment.

She has received moving feedback from couples who did not succeed in having children but still felt very well looked after at the clinic.

Practical advice for fertility treatment.

Our advice if you are just starting out: “Don't google too much – what applies to one couple or one woman doesn't have to apply to others.” At the clinic we recommend not waiting too long before seeking help, especially if you are over 36. Think in terms of around three egg retrievals over the course of treatment.

We are open about all treatment options and give regular updates on embryo development and quality along the way. You receive information through the patient portal and can always get in touch with questions.

What drives her work.

Dr Hope's commitment comes from her own family experience. She is lucky enough to have three children herself, something she does not take for granted. Her sister and her sister's female partner have had a child after treatment at the clinic and are expecting their second. “I'm glad that same-sex couples have the chance to start families,” she says.

Patients regularly give positive feedback on the care they receive. Dr Hope and her colleagues have created a setting where you feel seen and supported all the way to becoming a parent.

Start with a free case review.

Whether you are single or in a relationship, the path to becoming a parent starts with knowing about your own fertility. If you live outside Norway, the first step is usually a free case review: a short call with our international coordinator, then an online consultation with one of our doctors. With those answers you can make informed decisions about the next steps and plan your future as a parent.