If you’re undergoing, or are planning to begin an IVF cycle, you likely have a lot of questions. While your doctor should always be your first point of contact to help provide answers, we know that sometimes they pop in your mind in the most inopportune times – like the middle of the night, right as you leave your doctor’s office, or when you get home to your computer!
That’s why below we’re answering some of the most common questions we hear.
HOW LONG IS THE IVF PROCESS FROM START TO FINISH?
This will depend a little on your unique circumstance, and the treatment plan discussed with your doctor. But, on average, an IVF cycle takes about 6 to 8 weeks from consultation to transfer. You will likely miss 2 days of work. If you are traveling out of town expect to be here 5 days or so.
IS IVF PAINFUL?
There are a range of steps to every IVF cycle, from injections to properly prepare your body, through to egg retrieval and the transfer. None of these steps should be overly painful, though some discomfort is normal, including minor bruising at the site of your injections, cramping or abdominal pressure.after the egg retrieval. At Fertility Partnership we will manage your pain with pain meds if needed.
WHERE ARE EGGS AND EMBRYOS STORED?
During the process, your eggs and embryos are stored in the lab. After they are frozen, biopsied and frozen they can either be stored at your fertility clinic or commonly transferred to a third party storage facility. Many clinics do not want the liability of long term storage as it requires daily monitoring of the lab conditions. At Fertility Partnership we have a device called Cryo Alert that continuously monitors the conditions in our tanks and will notify us immediately if there is an issue.
WHAT IS INVOCELL?
INVOcell is an intravaginal culture (IVC) system that is used as an alternative treatment to IVF. The general idea is that the body is used as the incubator and many of the costs of the laboratory are saved. Invocell is a small container in which eggs and sperm or fertilized eggs are placed. The capsule is then placed in the vagina where the temperature is correct and embryos grow. Fresh sperm from a partner or frozen sperm from a donor may be used. continuously.
Invocell is ideal for situations where we clearly know why the couple is not conceiving, such as a woman after a tubal ligation or man after vasectomy. At FP we generally recommend it as first line treatment for same-sex couples.
Why haven’t you heard about this? Because the clinics don’t earn much from Invocell.
IS THERE ANY GUARANTEE THAT IVF WILL WORK?
In general, women who undergo the procedure have no guarantees of success. Any doctor who offers such a guarantee is not being honest. However your doctor will be able to share information about the likelihood of success and the unique risks that may prevent it in your case. We often refer to CDC data page to calculate your likelihood of success.
Ultimately, more than 9 million babies have been born using assisted reproductive technologies like in vitro fertilization – and it can change your life too.
If you have other questions that we haven’t yet answered then reach out. Our team is available to help you get to the bottom of your infertility, and your questions.
