FAQs for IVF

There is 20-35% success rate per cycle in most women, but the likelihood of getting pregnant decreases with each successive round, while the cost increases. The cumulative effect of three full cycles of IVF increases the chances of a successful pregnancy to 45-53%.

There are many parameters which decide this, like the age of the female partner, clinical profile of the patient, previous response to IVF cycle, financial implications. In most of the cases, IVF can be attempted 3-4 times, if all the parameters are in range.

In the case of fresh cycles, at least 2 months and in the case of a frozen cycle, 1 month.

• Follicles are not developing properly
• An inadequate blood oestrogen level
• Excessive estradiol level, indicating an increased risk for ovarian hyperstimulation
• Less than 3 maturing follicles seen on ultrasound

If a cycle is cancelled, medication may be modified in subsequent cycles in an attempt to improve your response

While injections are a necessary part of IVF treatment, we have designed our medication schedules and injection type to minimize discomfort and stress; and our nurses carefully instruct and support every patient throughout this process.

Egg retrieval is a minor surgery, in which a vaginal ultrasound probe fitted with a long, thin needle is passed through the wall of the vagina and into each ovary and gently removes the egg through a gentle suction. As anaesthesia is used for egg retrieval, patients feel nothing during the procedure.

Strenuous exercises, like running or heavy lifting, etc. should be avoided until a pregnancy test has been performed.

Nobody really knows for sure if intercourse aids or impedes implantation. Theoretically, uterine contractions result from intercourse, so to be safe, we advise abstaining from intercourse until after the pregnancy test.

Most of our out of town patients can return home the day after the embryo transfer -- there is no medical reason to stay back after IVF treatment. All types of travel are safe. Sitting for an extended period of time will not affect chances of pregnancy. We recommend that patients travelling by air drink plenty of fluids, as circulated air can be quite dry, and dehydration should be avoided.

A woman's ovaries house hundreds of potential eggs out of which only as many as 20 eggs may be stimulated in a given cycle. Thus, when using fertility medication in the IVF process, not only is the woman not using up all of her eggs, but she is 'rescuing' eggs that otherwise would have undergone atresia.

Yes. Your doctor will recommend that you adhere to the basic guidelines below during the IVF process and into your pregnancy.

• Smoking: It’s recommended that both partners stop smoking at least three months before beginning an IVF cycle, and before ovulation induction begins. The effects of tobacco have been shown to be toxic and harmful to a woman’s eggs.
• Drinking: Alcohol should be avoided at the outset of IVF treatment, until one’s pregnancy test, and if pregnant, until the birth of the child.
• Medications: It’s important to inform your doctor if you’re taking any prescription or over-the-counter medications. Some medicines can interfere with the prescribed fertility medication, or embryo transference, and others may not be safe to take before surgery.
• Vigorous exercise: Intense physical activities like aerobics, weightlifting and running are prohibited during ovarian stimulation and until the results of one’s pregnancy are known.
• Supplements: Herbal supplements are completely prohibited during the IVF process.

The ability to use a donor egg has enabled thousands of women to become pregnant. While a woman's eggs may not be viable, very often the uterus is completely healthy and capable of supporting a pregnancy. In these cases, egg donation with IVF has high success rates. This procedure follows the same protocol as IVF, except the intended parents select a donor and use the donor's egg to create the embryo.

Usually 10-15 mins.

Yes, we do have the provision to do embryo transfer under anaesthesia.

On an average the twin pregnancy rate is 20%, of the triplet is 5%, and singleton is 75%, when day 3 embryos (3), are transferred.

Till date, millions of babies have been born across the globe through this technology and the evidence is backing that there is no statistically significant increase in the incidence of the defects.