FAQ
Q. Is there a waiting list?
A. No. Once you have returned the questionnaire to us, our secretary will contact you to arrange an appointment within three weeks for the first 24-hour visit. Treatment may be started on the next cycle following your first visit. The second visit covers the end of the treatment and the IVF itself, amounting to 8–9 days on average.
Q. How many visits to the Hospital will I need during my treatment?
A. Your first visit to France will last 24 hours. During your second trip to France, the average number of visits during one treatment cycle is approximately six. This includes 4 visits for ultrasound scanning and one each for egg collection and embryo transfer. This can vary from one patient to another, as some patients may require additional ultrasound scans.
Q. Will I be seen by the same Doctor at each visit?
A. The Unit has a total of seventeen Doctors devoted entirely to the IVF service and you may come into contact with no more than two of these during your treatment. Each Doctor has specific responsibilities on a daily basis, rotating through different areas of the Department. If, however, you wish to be seen by a particular Doctor at each visit, please say so and this can be arranged. This may cause a slight delay as your Doctor may be assigned to the Operating Theatre or Outpatient Clinic at the time of your appointment. If you are arranging a follow-up appointment, please request the Doctor you would like to see.
Q. Can I do my own injections?
A. The more recent medications used in the treatment of infertility are designed to be administered subcutaneously, i.e. under the skin. This means that they are easy to inject and the majority of patients find it more convenient to inject themselves. The IVF nurses will teach you how to do these injections and ensure that you are confident in the technique prior to doing it yourself.
Q. Does the price quoted for IVF include the cost of the medications?
A. No. Drugs are no included in the package price, and the cost of medication will depend on the amount required by each patient.
Q. What are my chances of becoming pregnant?
A. It depends on:
- Your age (this is generally the most important factor for a woman)
- The cause of your infertility
- The number of eggs that you produce following ovarian stimulation
- The quality of the semen
- The number of embryos resulting
Q. Does the IVF Centre treat women with elevated FSH levels?
A. It depends however on how elevated the levels are and the regularity of the menstrual cycle.
If you are under 40 years of age with elevated FSH levels but have regular cycles we will offer you an attempt at IVF. Elevated FSH levels, however, do reduce your chances of pregnancy. It is our policy in these situations to look at our database with you to outline the expected pregnancy rate in a similar group of our patients.
In women between 40 and 42 years of age with regular cycles we will monitor a natural cycle and, if there is evidence of ovulation, we will offer you an attempt at IVF.
Q. Does the IVF Centre treat women with a poor ovarian response to medication?
A. The success rate of IVF is highly related to the number of eggs collected. We therefore endeavour to obtain a high number of eggs by adjusting the medication regime to individual needs. If you consistently produce one or two follicles we will discuss the options with you and offer you the choice of whether to continue treatment or not. In other words, we will involve you in taking the ultimate decision regarding your own treatment.
Q. Are there any risks with IVF treatments?
A. Overall IVF is a safe treatment. A condition known as ovarian hyperstimulation may occur, whereby a woman’s ovaries become over-stimulated and enlarged, and at the same time fluid accumulates in her abdomen.
Q. How will I feel during the IVF treatment cycle?
A. The medication you have to take in order to stimulate your ovaries may make you feel tired as your body is working harder than usual to make more than one egg.
Whilst you are undergoing the daily stimulation you may feel a little bloated due to a little fluid retention, but this should be minimal.
For a couple of days after the egg collection it is normal to experience some slight abdominal discomfort as the ovaries settle down and the small needle puncture sites heal. We suggest you take paracetamol or a similar pain-relieving drug if necessary during this time and rest as much as possible. Do not use NSAIDs such as aspirin or ibuprofen as these may affect implantation.
