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What to Know About Failed IVF

Wed, 06 May 2020 04:13:03 GMT

For many couples dealing with infertility, IVF (or in vitro fertilization) is their best chance for conceiving a child. But unfortunately, this type of treatment isn’t a guaranteed success, and it can be disheartening for couples who experience failed IVF. Not only is IVF a significant financial commitment, but those who undergo it also sacrifice a great deal of mental energy due to the stress it can create.

If you are struggling to conceive through IVF treatments, you deserve to know why it might be failing. Our team at Fountain of You has compiled some of the most common causes of failed IVF. Keep reading for more information.

General Causes of Failed IVF

Several things can cause this type of treatment to fail. It depends on your specific situation and personal factors. But, depending on what type of issues may have caused the failure, it’s possible to make adjustments that could prevent the same problem from occurring during future rounds.

Some of the most common causes of failed IVF include:

Implantation Failure

After an egg has been fertilized and an embryo has been created, the embryo is then implanted in the uterus. There are many reasons why it may not take, including issues with the embryo itself or a uterine lining that is inadequate to support the attachment of the embryo and growth. In some situations, the implantation process itself could be to blame.

Unsuccessful Fertilization

For an embryo to be created, a sperm cell must successfully fertilize an egg. However, sometimes this fails to occur even if both egg and sperm have been tested to be viable. In this type of situation, a certain variation of IVF known as intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) may be beneficial.

Embryo Abnormality

If there are any issues within the embryo, which is quite common, it may fail to attach itself to the uterus. One of the most common types of issues is a chromosomal abnormality. The embryo may have a missing or additional chromosome, with the result being a failed implantation.

Non-viable Sperm or Egg

If one or both sets of genetic material are not viable, then fertilization will not occur. For couples that experience issues on this front, it may be worthwhile to consider egg or sperm donors. For women especially, the older you are, the more likely you are to experience non-viable eggs.

What to Do After a Failed IVF Treatment

If you have undergone one failed round of IVF, it may be worthwhile to try additional cycles. You are statistically more likely to conceive after subsequent rounds of IVF. It is also important to consult with your physician to determine what was likely the cause of your failed attempt.

Ask an Expert

At Fountain of You, we want to help you get the answers you deserve about the IVF process. So, if you want to learn more about IVF, ask an expert through us today .

It’s simple. Just type your question for the doctor on our website and the doctor will respond with accurate and helpful information.

In-Vitro Fertilization (IVF) FAQs

Wed, 06 May 2020 04:07:57 GMT

For those struggling to get pregnant, finding something that works can seem impossible. That's where IVF comes in: IVF, or in-vitro fertilization, helps with fertilization and embryo development so pregnancy is possible. In IVF, a woman's eggs and a man's sperm are combined in a laboratory to create an embryo. Then, the embryo is transferred back to the woman to increase the chances of pregnancy.

IVF can be used for couples experiencing infertility, same sex couples, and single women pursuing motherhood. If you're curious about the process, how it works, and potential costs, read more about it below.

How Does IVF Work?

The specifics for IVF can vary slightly among healthcare providers, but the process has remained very much the same.

Ovulation Induction

At the start of your cycle, you'll receive synthetic hormones to stimulate multiple egg production (instead of the one egg per month that you usually develop). You'll need multiple eggs to increase the chances of fertilization. There are many medications you may need in addition to one that stimulates the ovaries, such as medications for egg maturation, premature ovulation prevention, and uterine lining preparation.

About 2 weeks after you've begun medications, your doctor will perform a vaginal ultrasound to monitor the development of your eggs. Your doctor may also perform blood tests to measure how well you're responding to the medications.

Egg and Sperm Retrieval

For egg retrieval, you will be given sedation and medication for pain. The doctor will first use transvaginal ultrasound aspiration: An ultrasound probe is inserted and used to identify follicles, then they will use a thin needle to go in and retrieve the eggs. If the ovaries are not accessible via transvaginal ultrasound, an abdominal ultrasound will be used.

The eggs are removed from the ovaries using suction. After egg retrieval, mature eggs are placed in a nutrient-rich liquid and incubated.

If your partner is donating their sperm, they will provide a sample of their semen at a doctor's office or clinic. They may also use testicular aspiration (use of a needle to extract sperm from the testicle).

Fertilization and Transfer

There are two methods of fertilization: Conventional and intracytoplasmic. Conventional insemination is when the eggs and sperm are mixed and incubated. Intracytoplasmic insemination is when a single, healthy sperm is injected into each of the mature eggs. Depending on your situation, your doctor may recommend transferring the embryo immediately or after it develops for a few days.

Embryo transfer is done at a doctor's office or clinic. You will be given a mild sedative, then the doctor will insert a catheter into your uterus. A syringe is attached to one end of the catheter, and the embryo is placed into your uterus via the catheter. If there is success in IVF, the embryo should implant in the uterus 6-10 days post-retrieval.

Read our article about 4 Ways to Test Your Fertility Before Treatment.

Who is Eligible for IVF?

IVF is done for people who suffer from infertility or genetic problems. If infertility is the problem, you and your partner may try less invasive treatment options before IVF (such as fertility drugs or intrauterine insemination). However, if these treatments don't work, IVF can be worth a try.

IVF is offered as the primary treatment for infertility in women age 40 and over. It can also be done for women and their partners with certain health conditions, such as:

Fallopian tube damage or blockages
Ovulation disorders
Endometriosis
Uterine fibroids
Previous sterilization or tube removal
Male infertility/below-average sperm count
Fertility preservation for specific health conditions

What are the Risks of IVF?

As with any medical procedure, there are risks associated with IVF. However, some of these risks are unique to IVF, including the risk of multiple births or miscarriage.

IVF increases the risk of multiple births if more than one fertilized embryo implants in the uterine wall. As a result, there is a high risk of early labor and low birth weight. As in a typical pregnancy, these are also possible even if only one fetus is present.

Ovarian hyper stimulation syndrome is also a risk of IVD. This is when the ovaries' have an extreme response to excess hormones. This can occur if you are taking injectable hormone medications to stimulate egg development. Symptoms in mild cases include swollen, hyper-sensitive ovaries, as well as bloating, nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea.

Miscarriage is a risk of any pregnancy and occurs at about the same rate as women who conceive naturally. However, it's important to note that the risk of miscarriage increases with maternal age. Those who conceive using IVF are often older than those who conceive naturally.

Complications with egg retrieval, such as bleeding, infection, or damage to the internal organs is possible as it is with any invasive procedure. There are also risks with the use of general anesthesia and sedation.

By far, the most common risk of IVF is stress. The use of IVF is financially, physically, and emotionally draining. It's important to get support from friends, family, or a counselor to help you get through treatment.

What is the Cost of IVF?

IVF costs are undeniably expensive. The general cost of IVF hovers around $10,000-20,000 (USD) for most couples trying to conceive. This ballpark estimate includes medications, ultrasounds, blood tests, clinic fees, egg extraction and handling, storage, and embryo transfer. Your insurance may have infertility benefits which can cover most or all of the costs of IVF. You can also ask about financing options.

Unfortunately, one round of IVF may not be enough to conceive. It's important to know that this estimate can be multiplied two or threefold if the first rounds don't work. Although there is no guarantee that IVF will work, the success rate can increase after multiple rounds of treatment.

Conclusion

If you're having trouble getting pregnant, you have options. You can start by talking to your doctor about how to improve your chances of conceiving. If these don't work, ask them to refer you to a fertility specialist who can give you more options such as IVF.

The process of IVF can seem overwhelming and you may have a lot of questions. Feel free to contact us now if you have additional questions!

IVF Facts

Wed, 06 May 2020 04:03:12 GMT

What is IVF?

IVF, also known as in vitro fertilization, is a special type of fertility treatment and is also the most common form of assisted reproductive technology (ART) . This type of medical procedure has been around for several decades and has enabled hundreds of thousands of couples to conceive children.

If you are considering this type of fertility treatment or would just like to learn more about it, our team at Fountain of You has compiled some IVF facts that are often left out of mainstream discussions of this topic. Read on to learn more about this treatment, its history, and how it may affect you.

Brief History

During the second half of the 20th century, advances in medical research and technology allowed IVF and other reproductive treatments to develop. The first child to be born as a result of IVF treatment was Louise Brown, born in England in 1978. The process that led to her birth was developed by Robert G. Edwards, Patrick Steptoe, and Jean Purdy. The second successful IVF birth occurred just a little over 2 months later in India. After its initial phases, the process continued to improve to reach where it is today. ( Source )

The Facts

IVF is a useful procedure for couples who are struggling to conceive naturally for a variety of reasons and for women who want to have children on their own. It is important however to discuss how this procedure plays out in real life for real people. The following are some of the most-discussed IVF facts:

It Takes Time

In vitro fertilization is not an overnight procedure that results in pregnancy the next day. It is a process that must be carefully planned and executed. The general process looks something like this:

The woman is given medicine to stimulate her ovaries to produce multiple mature eggs
The eggs are collected from the ovaries
The eggs are fertilized with sperm to create embryos
The embryos are then implanted in the lining of the uterus

The average timeline for this process varies depending on where you are in your cycle and how long it is. The average woman’s cycle is about 28 days or 4 weeks. But one cycle of IVF can take longer. Before the process begins, a woman can expect multiple blood tests and ultrasounds, followed by hormone injections every day for approximately 10 to 12 days.

Once the eggs are fertilized with sperm, the embryos spend around a week growing in the lab. The following month is typically when the embryos are implanted into the uterus. And for many, the first cycle of IVF may not take, leading to more time spent on additional cycles.

IVF Treatment is Expensive

You may already know that this type of treatment is expensive. When couples decide to embark on IVF treatment, they have been known to drain their savings in the process. The average price for one cycle might fall between $13,000 and $15,000 (USD). If you need multiple cycles to conceive, the price can quickly rise. Depending on your fertility factors, such as your age, that price may fluctuate as well because of additional procedures that are needed.

Lifestyle Choices Can Affect Your Chances of Success

Your lifestyle and the choices you make may also affect your chance of getting pregnant and carrying a pregnancy to term through IVF. Ideally, you would want to live as healthy a lifestyle as possible as you prepare to undergo this type of treatment. Make sure you are eating a balanced diet that is rich in protein, get plenty of sleepy, and avoid alcohol. This also applies to the sperm supplier in the situation. A healthy lifestyle can lead to better swimmers.

Age Is a Factor

Your age is an important factor for IVF success. The younger you are, the better your chances are for conception. This idea is true for natural conception as well. More often than not, older couples who are struggling to conceive naturally will turn to IVF. But that doesn’t mean younger couples don’t also experience various fertility issues, which can affect any age group.

It Isn’t Guaranteed

Some people assume that IVF is guaranteed to work, but unfortunately, that isn’t the case. Statistically, a large number of women are not successful at conceiving through IVF the first time around. But it is also true that many find success in subsequent cycles. Not everyone can afford multiple rounds of the process. But if you can, it may be worth a few more tries. Where you go for treatment and may affect your chances as well.

Your Physical and Mental Health May Be Affected

Pregnancy affects every woman differently. But you will experience physical changes as well as emotional ones. The same can be said for a pregnancy that is reached through IVF.

But the process itself of getting pregnant through IVF can also impact your physical and mental health. Many women report that the process leads to depression and anxiety, which may be a mix of increased hormones combined with stress from the physical side effects, pressing medical expenses, the extreme desire to conceive, and more.

Serious physical side effects are rare, but some of the more common ones include:

Headaches
Tender breasts
Bruising around injection sites
Cramping
Bloating
Mood swings

Higher Chance of Multiple Births

Sometimes, people who use IVF end up with multiple births, such as twins, triplets, or more babies. Of course, this doesn’t happen to everyone who uses this process. Multiple births occur more commonly through IVF because, to increase the chance of conception, several embryos are implanted the uterus at once. That way, if some don't take, others might. Sometimes, in rare cases, this results in multiple embryos taking.

Final Thoughts

We hope that these IVF facts have helped you gain a better understanding of in vitro fertilization and what you can expect from the process. If you would like to learn more about treatment options and whether or not they are right for you, contact us for more information . At Fountain of You, we can help you get a treatment quote today.

IVF Side Effects

Wed, 06 May 2020 03:56:42 GMT

The article is a one-stop-shop for all the details about IVF, also known as in-vitro fertilization. You'll learn how long the process regularly takes, along with all potential IVF side effects. The purpose is to provide you with information so that you can make an informed decision.

If you have any specific questions not answered in this piece, feel free to contact our office. We would be happy to respond to any queries.

What is IVF?

IVF is also known as in-vitro fertilization. The process helps couples who are struggling to have a child conceive. An IVF doctor will combine an egg and sperm outside the body in a laboratory dish. From there, the doctor transfers the fertilized egg into the woman's uterus to continue to develop.

The IVF process has been well-tested and has a long history, meaning that complications and injury are rare. However, every procedure has side effects, which we will go over in later sections.

When Should I Consider IVF?

In-vitro fertilization is the most common and successful alternative to traditional pregnancy. First and foremost, talk with your primary care physician. You might want to consider the course of action if you suffer from a variety of conditions.

Your fallopian tube is blocked or damaged, leading to embryos being unable to travel to the uterus
Your ovulation is disordered, infrequent, or absent
You have endometritis
If you have uterine fibroids
If you've had previous tube sterilization or removal
Your sperm moves weakly, or is not concentrated enough, or an abnormal shape/size
You or your partner risk passing a genetic disorder on to your child
Becoming pregnant would pose a grave danger to your health

How Long will the IVF Process Take?

The IVF procedure has multiple steps, so you'll need to be patient. Each in-vitro cycle lasts about two to three weeks, and you could need repetitious rounds for pregnancy to stick. Also, if you are planning to find an egg donor, you'll want to dedicate time to finding the most exemplary candidate. Plan to spend a couple of months trying the IVF, then nine-plus months for the pregnancy and birth cycle.

Step One: Suppression

The first step of the IVF process is even out the production rate of your follicles. The follicles are fluid-filled sacs that hold your eggs. Traditionally, the follicles all grow at their own pace, and the first one to become large enough wins out.

IVF follows a unique plan. You'll have to ingest oral contraceptives to slow the rate of follicle growth. You want all the fluid-filled sacs to reach maturity at the same time. The more follicles that are mature when you start injections, the higher egg yield you'll see during retrieval.

Potential Side Effects During Stage One

The potential side effects during the suppression stage come from the ingestion of oral contraceptives. Most will be mild or not noticeable at all. They include:

Spotting
Breast tenderness
Nausea
Mood swings

However, if symptoms are too severe, you might need to switch contraceptives until you find one that works for your body. Work with your doctor to find the most suitable course of action.

Step Two: Stimulation

The second step is what most people hear about IVF, the injections. Unfortunately, pills are not strong enough to stimulate follicle growth. That is where shots come into play.

Traditionally, your body releases a cohort of follicles from your total egg supply every cycle, in hopes that one becomes dominant and the others get reabsorbed into the body. With IVF, we want to salvage as many of your follicles as possible. Thus, daily stimulation injections help keep more follicles maturing. Though you'll see more sacs become mature and dominant, it is normal for some to remain inadequate and for the body to reabsorb them.

As for the process of injecting, you'll need to administer the shots daily, around the same time, to see success. Give yourself a two-hour window each day to take your pills and administer the injection. The regular scheduled shots mimic how the body naturally produces follicular growth hormones.

During the stimulation phase, visit your fertility doctor about five to seven times for blood tests and ultrasounds. That way, you can be sure of when your follicles reach maturity.

Potential Side Effects During Stage Two

Unfortunately, your IVF side effects become more noticeable during this phase. It's perfectly natural to experience a variety of symptoms, such as:

Headaches and migraines
Hot flashes
Nausea
Bloating
Injection site bruising
Breast tenderness

If the symptoms become so severe that they get in the way of normal functioning, then seek medical help immediately.

Step Three: Egg Retrieval

For the third step, you'll be under anesthesia. Egg retrieval means that the doctor will remove the ready eggs from mature follicles. Unfortunately, medical professionals must puncture each follicle and withdraw the fluid because they cannot see eggs inside the ovary.

All the fluid gets placed into a Petri dish, then an embryologist counts them and prepares them to mix with sperm. The following day, you find out how many eggs fertilized.

Potential Side Effects During Stage Three

Egg retrieval is a surgical procedure, meaning that you will deal with multiple effects. Your uterus will be sore and tender for about five to seven days afterwards. You could also experience nausea or vertigo from the anesthesia.

If you have a drastic weight change or increase in abdominal length, contact your caregiver immediately as you could have ovarian hyper-stimulation syndrome.

Step Four: Embryo Transfer

After a week more of estrogen and progesterone injections, you'll have either fresh or frozen blastocysts placed into your uterus. Come to your appointment with a full bladder and expect to wait twenty minutes after the transfer is complete. You'll know whether or not you're pregnant, the main side effect of step four, in nine to ten days.

Ready to Start Your IVF Journey?

Though there is a range of IVF side effects, you should feel inspired to take the next step in your journey. Contact us for more information today.

IVF For Single Women

Wed, 06 May 2020 03:47:44 GMT

The decision to become a single mother is a challenging one. Maybe you had envisioned having a partner at this stage in your life but haven’t found that special person. Yet you’re ready to have a child, even if it’s on your own. Fortunately, it’s possible for you to fulfill your dream of being a mother with or without a partner. IVF for single women makes your dream a reality.

Here's everything you need to know about this miraculous process.

How to Know If You’re Ready

Most of us know a single parent who didn’t consciously make the choice to be one. Death of a partner, divorce, or an unintended pregnancy are have put them in that situation. Being a single parent always comes with challenges, yet plenty of healthy individuals come from single parent homes.

How does a single parent provide everything their child needs? Love is of course the most important factor. But you’ll also need a support network and financial security.

Ask yourself who your support system will be when you need extra help. Rest assured, all parents need extra help sometimes, even those with partners. Make sure you know who in your corner you can call for backup.

You’ll also need to be sure that your income is sufficient for taking care of your child and yourself. Consider all the costs that come with raising a child: food, shelter, clothing, diapers, education, childcare, health insurance, etc. Be honest with yourself about the costs and make sure you know how you’ll cover them. Choosing IVF for a single woman is a big decision, but you may be ready for it.

Age is a Factor

We all know that age is a factor for women who want to conceive. Your age determines what kind of fertility treatment is right for you. Typically, a woman’s ability to conceive naturally ends about 10 years before she enters menopause. Starting at 28, a woman’s fertility starts to slowly decline. At around 35, it declines more steeply and accelerates again between the ages of 39 and 42. ( Source )

IVF for a single woman is always unique to the individual who wants to conceive. No matter your age, the first step is to consult with an endocrinologist and find out which fertility treatment option is right for you. Women under 35 may be able to conceive with donor sperm via intrauterine insemination, or IUI. Women over 35 may have better results with IVF treatment while women over 40 may want to consider donor eggs.

What You Should Know About Sperm Donors

IVF for a single woman requires a sperm donor. Once you’re ready to move forward with IVF or IUI, you’ll need to select your donor sperm. You can use a sperm bank or a donor who is known to you personally.

If you do choose to use a sperm donor who is known to you, you’ll need to familiarize yourself with the parental rights laws in your state. You’ll need to make important decisions, such as if you want the donor to be involved in the child’s life or not. You may want to consult with a lawyer who specializes in reproductive law.

Your chosen donor will need to be screened for sexually transmitted diseases. You may choose to also have them screened for genetic diseases. Certain fertility centers do not do fertility treatments when a known sperm donor is involved due to the legal complications. You’ll need to find a fertility center that works with sperm donors known to the mother.

If you don’t have someone in mind to be your sperm donor, donor sperm is available through sperm banks. In most states, anonymous sperm donors do not have parental rights relating to any children who result from their donation. Therefore, an anonymous donor is the best way to go if you don’t want your donor to have any relationship with your child. All anonymous sperm donors are screened for sexually transmitted diseases and some hereditary diseases as well.

What is the Process Like?

If you use IUI as your fertility treatment, typically your fertility specialist will first give you Clomid to stimulate your ovaries to produce more eggs. Once you’re ovulating, you are inseminated with the donor sperm at the fertility clinic. You may opt to for your specialist to monitor you to ensure you don’t have a high-multiple pregnancy.

With IVF for a single woman, fertility drugs are injected by your endocrinologist. These injections stimulate egg production and help eggs to mature. Once your eggs are mature, your specialist will extract them from your ovaries via syringe. The eggs are then fertilized with the donor sperm in a laboratory setting. These embryos develop over 3-5 days. The best one or two embryos are transferred to your uterus.

How Much Do Fertility Treatments Cost?

IUI typically costs somewhere between $300 and $800, plus the cost of donor sperm. Monitoring to make sure you don’t have a high-multiple pregnancy also comes at an additional cost.

The average cost of IVF treatment is about $12,400, not including the cost of the donor sperm and fertility medications. Fertility medications for one cycle of treatment range from $4,000 to $10,000. Costs may be higher for older women as they will likely require higher doses of fertility medication to successfully conceive.

Obviously, it's more expensive than traditional conception methods. If you're concerned about paying for IVF, there are treatment packages and financing options to help you afford treatments. One option is a pay as you go plan. This prevents you from overpaying in advance for treatments you don’t even end up needing. There are plenty of options out there for IVF for single women. There’s a plan out there that will work for you and your budget.

Contact Us Today

You don't have to wait any longer to fulfill your dream of becoming a mother. If you think that IVF for single women is right for you, contact us for more information and get a treatment quote today!

What is Egg Freezing?

Tue, 07 Apr 2020 03:28:07 GMT

Freezing eggs is medically known as oocyte cryopreservation. It is the procedure in which a woman's eggs are extracted, frozen and preserved to retain their ability to reproduce at a later age.

Freezing eggs has gained popularity among many young women that want a chance of motherhood later in life. Below are a few reasons why women freeze their ovum, as well as things to consider if you decide to freeze before IVF.

Factors that have a bearing on freezing eggs

Personal and career goals

Many young women opt to freeze their eggs so that they can focus on their personal or career aspirations. If you want to postpone child-bearing for this reason, it is advisable to consider this at an early reproductive stage.

Cancer diagnosis

If you have been diagnosed with cancer, you may want to give thought to freezing your gamete. Cancer treatments are known to make most people sterile . Thus, it is recommended that you freeze your eggs before beginning chemotherapy or radiotherapy.

Family history of fertility issues

If you have a family history of:

Premature menopause
Untimely ovarian failure
Fibroids
Other fertility issues

It is worth freezing your ovum at a young age.

When to freeze your eggs

We recommend that you freeze your gamete in your 20s or early 30s . This is because your reproductive capacity is at its best in these years. Top-quality eggs are most retrievable at this age.

The Process

Ovarian reserve estimation

The first step is an ovarian reserve estimation. The doctor will examine your ovarian reserve to predict the supply of eggs. This may be carried out by blood tests and a pelvic ultrasound.

Ovarian stimulation

The second stage is ovarian stimulation with 15 days of hormone injections.

Egg retrieval

Egg retrieval is the third stage. Whilst being tranquillized, eggs will be taken through the vagina.

Assessment

Doctors will assess your eggs' maturity with a microscope. The top-quality ones are singled out for freezing.

Vitrification

In this final step, eggs are immediately chilled with liquid nitrogen, which puts them in a similar state for use any time later.

How long can eggs remain frozen?

At present, there is no limit to the number of years in which eggs can remain frozen. Doctors have affirmed that long-term freezing does not harm or lessen the quality of germ cells. You would do well to keep in mind that the majority of clinics charge yearly for egg storage, so storing them for a long duration would mean you will pay more.

Possible side effects

Like all medical treatments, egg freezing has some side effects that you need to be aware of. These include:

However, these risks are low and uncommon.

Success rates

Many fertility experts have reported better results in IVF cycles with frozen seeds and frozen embryos. This is because freezing eggs offers them complete control over the lining. Nonetheless, we recommend that you consult your doctor to know how likely you are to conceive with frozen eggs before planning IVF

Still Not Sure About Freezing Eggs?

Ask us a question about this process. It's an overwhelming topic, and you should feel like you understand how freezing eggs works before making a decision. Reach out to us and we'll gladly answer any lingering questions you have.

IVF Treatments in Bangkok - Cost & Details

Tue, 07 Apr 2020 03:12:33 GMT

Some couples endure unforeseen struggles when starting their families. Sometimes, they need to turn to IVF treatments due to prolonged difficulties with conception.

Couples often go overseas in search of IVF. Oftentimes, patients seek IVF in places outside of their home countries like Bangkok due to factors like:

More affordable care
A higher percentage of positive treatment outcomes compared to a patient's home country
A wider range of IVF treatments are available
More esteemed doctors in the reproductive endocrinology and infertility (REI) field

Here, we will outline how our IVF treatments in Bangkok can help you conceive.

What is IVF?

IVF, or in vitro fertilization, is a form of assisted reproductive technology (ART) . During this process, a qualified doctor extracts eggs from a woman's ovaries. With the appropriate sperm sample collected, the doctor will manually combine the sperm and egg in a laboratory setting.

If an embryo grows from this combination, the doctor will transfer the embryo into a woman's uterus. From there, a normal pregnancy will ideally ensue.

Freezing Eggs or Freezing Embryos: Which is Right for Me?

There are a couple of different approaches to take when going through IVF.

One option is to freeze your eggs. This is a common option for younger women, as they can preserve the healthy state of young eggs.

When a woman decides she is ready to conceive, a doctor will unfreeze her eggs and perform the IVF treatment.
From there, a fertilized egg will hopefully develop into an embryo and can be inserted into a woman's uterus.

Another option is to freeze your embryos.

During this process, a doctor will combine a sperm and egg sample through IVF first.
Then, the developed embryo will be frozen and saved until a woman wants to attempt to carry the embryo full-term.

Both methods offer the same chance for a successful pregnancy to develop. No matter the method you choose, IVF will be involved eventually.

IVF in Bangkok

Now that you're familiar with the types of treatment, let's cover the specifics of our Bangkok IVF treatments.

Is There an Age Limit?

While there is no fixed age limit, women older than 40 have a much lower rate of success. On average, only about 12% of these women successfully complete IVF. This is largely due to most of their eggs no longer being viable.

That being said, IVF can work for women over 40 . If you fall into this cohort, we recommend getting fertility tests done.

We will analyze your reports to see if IVF would be a good option for you. Our doctors then use the latest PGS technology to choose the most viable embryos, further increasing your chances of success.

If doctors cannot retrieve enough eggs, you may want to consider using donor eggs. Currently, Bangkok doesn't permit commercial egg donation.

What Conditions Could Disqualify Me From IVF Treatment?

Some conditions that may disqualify you from IVF treatment include:

Abnormalities of the uterine cavity that would impede embryo growth
Benign uterine tumors
Ovarian tumors
Other kinds of cancer
Acute inflammatory diseases
Hypertension or excessive diabetes
Severe heart problems

To see if you are eligible for IVF, connect with one of our consultants today.

How Many Embryos Do You Place Per Treatment?

In most cases, we will transfer one or two embryos. This prevents multiple births, makes delivery easier, and protects the health of the mother and fetus(es).

If you are older or have had low success with IVF in the past, we may transfer multiple embryos. This will improve your chances of success.

How Much Does IVF in Bangkok Cost?

The cost will depend on your personal circumstances. IVF in Bangkok can be as low as $8,000 and as high as $12,500.

What Additional Costs Might Incur?

If you're visiting from out of town, you'll have to consider your travel expenses.

Bangkok's living costs are relatively affordable. For around $1,300, you can stay in a nice place for 15 to 20 days. You should also consider the cost of food, transportation, etc.

What If I Can't Complete the Cycle?

During ovarian stimulation, your doctor will monitor your progress. They will call off the process if it's not producing the desired effect.

If you've already gone through oocyte retrieval and can't proceed, we can freeze the eggs for future use.

How Many Days Will I Need to be in Bangkok?

If you don't need PGS, a fresh IVF cycle will take 15 to 18 days. It must start on the second day of your menstrual cycle.

If you PGS and IVF, expect to stay for an additional 5 to 15 days.

Can't stay away from home that long? You can choose to get the embryo transplant on a separate 4-5 trip.

How Do You Monitor Ovarian Stimulation?

Ovarian stimulation can be complicated. It involves using hormones to facilitate egg production. This gives us as many eggs as possible when it comes time for IVF, maximizing your chances of success.

Our doctors monitor the process every step of the way. They prescribe the proper medications and ensure you aren't being over or under-stimulated.

What Accreditations Do You Have?

When choosing an IVF facility, you must make sure it is qualified. This will keep you safe and give you the best chance for results.

In addition to our years of experience, our staff has the proper education and licenses to serve you. As a whole, our facility has certifications from organizations such as:

The European Society of Human Reproduction and Embryology (ESHRE)
Fertility Society of Australia (FSA)
Reproductive Technology Accreditation Certification Committee (RTAC)

Is this for Expats or Locals in Asia?

We help both local and international patients start their families.

As part of our commitment to serving a variety of patients, we speak multiple languages. English and Thai are our primary languages, and we have interpreters for:

Burmese
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4 Ways to Test Your Fertility Before Treatment

Tue, 07 Apr 2020 02:56:39 GMT

Thanks to our current medical technology, you can get tested if you are concerned about your fertility. Below is a list of 4 fertility tests that you can choose from to take to uncover your fertility problem:

1) Blood tests for STIs

If you have any history of STIs or persistent infections that can impact your fertility, you must get tested. Leftover tissue from earlier infections can deter your fallopian tubes and prevent conception from happening.

2) Hormone fertility tests

Hormones are a huge factor in the reproductive system. The levels of specific hormones can indicate whether you have enough ovarian reserve and if you are ovulating smoothly. The following hormones can help to determine your fertility:

Anti-mullerian hormone (AMH)

The level of AMH reveals your ovarian reserve and shows whether you are still producing usable eggs.

Follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH)

The role of FSH is to stimulate the growth of your ovarian follicles . FSH levels continue to rise in women who don't ovulate and high levels of FSH are a sign that your body has to exert itself to help with ovulation.

Luteinizing hormone (LH)

LH soars right before ovulation and lasts between 24 to 48 hours . It prompts the egg to release. Increased LH levels at any other phase of the cycle signal polycystic ovaries or a decreased ovarian reserve. Small levels of LH also pose a danger to your fertility because it shows there are problems with your menstrual cycle.

Estradiol

This is a form of estrogen that helps your body through its menstrual cycle. A high amount of estradiol points to a low ovarian reserve - your body is generating more of this hormone to increase the likelihood of ovulation.

Prolactin

Prolactin prohibits FSH , which ends the stimulation of follicles. High prolactin levels can be a sign of PCOS and very high levels could be a manifestation of a pituitary tumor.

Progesterone

Progesterone levels summit after a week of ovulation and decrease rapidly before the next period is due. If you have irregular periods, the blood test can be ill-timed, which would result in inexact progesterone levels.

Thyroid levels (TSH)

If you suffer from hypothyroidism or hyperthyroidism , you could have fertility problems.

3) Scans

Your doctor may use a pelvic or TVS ultrasound scan to examine the follicles on your ovaries. Huge quantities of primal follicles show that you have a good ovarian reserve, and one with developing follicle indicates that ovulation is occurring.

4) Advanced fertility tests

Cervical mucus test

This test enables your doctor to identify any inimical antibodies that might destroy the sperm.

Hysterosalpingogram (HSG)

This is unique X-ray allows the doctor to inspect your tubes and the internal part of your uterus.

Saline hysterogram (SHG)

This procedure searches for fibroids or polyps inside the uterine wall.

Hysteroscopy

A small camera is placed into your uterus through the vagina to confirm the development of any fibroid or polyp.

Laparoscopy

A small camera is fitted into your abdominal area to give the surgeon a patent view of all your reproductive organs.

Endometrial biopsy

A small part of the uterine lining is taken to be investigated under a specialized microscope.

Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)

This is a large test that provides insight into the uterine wall.

Need Help?

Ask us a question about fertility testing for your specific situation . We know that this process is confusing, and there are so many options for fertility testing. We can help you figure out the best way to get tested.