1.
How should I compare the IVF success rate of one clinic against another? If you're going to compare success rates then do so with care.
The chances of success in IVF treatment sharply decline when a woman reaches the age of 38 or has a raised hormone level.
Some clinics have an admissions policy that would preclude such a woman whereas others would admit her.
This admissions policy can therefore distort the clinic's overall success rate, so bear this in mind.
2.
What are the main stages of IVF treatment? After being referred by your doctor or physician, you both attend an initial consultation with your specialist.
He may discuss with you the possible causes of the difficulty you have had in conceiving and will advise as to the procedure you will go through.
Often at this stage one or both of you may have to undergo tests, e.
g.
as to sperm count, hormone level, and so on.
3.
Why are the ovaries stimulated to produce several eggs at once? Because of the nature of IVF treatment, the fertilised egg needs to be of the highest possible quality in order to obtain the best chances of success.
In practice, up to 14 eggs are fertilised and the two that in the opinion of the Endocrinologist are of the highest quality are implanted in your womb.
In the case of women of 38 years of age or more and using their own eggs normally three eggs are used.
It is normal for just one of those eggs to successfully lead to the birth of a healthy baby.
4.
How are the eggs fertilised? At the time the eggs are collected your partner will be required to collect a sample of sperm.
The eggs are then taken to a laboratory and placed in a petri dish containing a culture medium.
The dish is placed in an incubator that mimics the human body as to temperature and environment.
The sperm is then introduced into the dish and the eggs and sperm are carefully mixed together.
The embryos are then monitored regularly and if fertilization and growth have occurred normally then the chosen embryos can be transferred in 3 to 5 days.
5.
How are the fertilised eggs transferred into my womb? The transfer of the embryos into your womb is carried out using a speculum and catheter, with some fluid.
The procedure is normally painless and no sedation is necessary.
It lasts just a few minutes.
You will need to rest lying down for an hour or so, and again when you arrive home you should rest on your bed for the rest of the day.
6.
What is the danger of multiple pregnancies when using IVF? There is a greater chance, by a factor of 20 to 25, of twins when using IVF treatment.
The chances of having three or more simultaneous births after IVF treatment is remote.
7.
What possible complications or side effects could I suffer if I use IVF? Because you undergo drug therapy when you have IVF treatment, there are often one or two side effects, but seldom any complications.
You may suffer from hot flushes (or flashes), mood changes, nausea and headaches.
Breast tenderness, cold feet, temporary high blood pressure and a feeling of bloating in the stomach are also quite common.
None of these is serious and it is usually possible to carry on with your normal day to day activities in spite of them.
The only more serious condition that occasionally arises is Ovarian Hyper Stimulation Syndrome, for which there is specialist treatment available.
How should I compare the IVF success rate of one clinic against another? If you're going to compare success rates then do so with care.
The chances of success in IVF treatment sharply decline when a woman reaches the age of 38 or has a raised hormone level.
Some clinics have an admissions policy that would preclude such a woman whereas others would admit her.
This admissions policy can therefore distort the clinic's overall success rate, so bear this in mind.
2.
What are the main stages of IVF treatment? After being referred by your doctor or physician, you both attend an initial consultation with your specialist.
He may discuss with you the possible causes of the difficulty you have had in conceiving and will advise as to the procedure you will go through.
Often at this stage one or both of you may have to undergo tests, e.
g.
as to sperm count, hormone level, and so on.
3.
Why are the ovaries stimulated to produce several eggs at once? Because of the nature of IVF treatment, the fertilised egg needs to be of the highest possible quality in order to obtain the best chances of success.
In practice, up to 14 eggs are fertilised and the two that in the opinion of the Endocrinologist are of the highest quality are implanted in your womb.
In the case of women of 38 years of age or more and using their own eggs normally three eggs are used.
It is normal for just one of those eggs to successfully lead to the birth of a healthy baby.
4.
How are the eggs fertilised? At the time the eggs are collected your partner will be required to collect a sample of sperm.
The eggs are then taken to a laboratory and placed in a petri dish containing a culture medium.
The dish is placed in an incubator that mimics the human body as to temperature and environment.
The sperm is then introduced into the dish and the eggs and sperm are carefully mixed together.
The embryos are then monitored regularly and if fertilization and growth have occurred normally then the chosen embryos can be transferred in 3 to 5 days.
5.
How are the fertilised eggs transferred into my womb? The transfer of the embryos into your womb is carried out using a speculum and catheter, with some fluid.
The procedure is normally painless and no sedation is necessary.
It lasts just a few minutes.
You will need to rest lying down for an hour or so, and again when you arrive home you should rest on your bed for the rest of the day.
6.
What is the danger of multiple pregnancies when using IVF? There is a greater chance, by a factor of 20 to 25, of twins when using IVF treatment.
The chances of having three or more simultaneous births after IVF treatment is remote.
7.
What possible complications or side effects could I suffer if I use IVF? Because you undergo drug therapy when you have IVF treatment, there are often one or two side effects, but seldom any complications.
You may suffer from hot flushes (or flashes), mood changes, nausea and headaches.
Breast tenderness, cold feet, temporary high blood pressure and a feeling of bloating in the stomach are also quite common.
None of these is serious and it is usually possible to carry on with your normal day to day activities in spite of them.
The only more serious condition that occasionally arises is Ovarian Hyper Stimulation Syndrome, for which there is specialist treatment available.
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