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10 Vital Questions to Ask your IVF Specialist at Your 1st Visit

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Usually, you (couples) decide to visit a fertility clinic in Mangalore or your local town/city when you notice no conventional method has made you become parents. After interacting with both of you, a fertility specialist recommends a few tests/screenings to know the real cause and suggests IVF as a fertility treatment to you. 

Being ready for the IVF or in vitro fertilisation treatment is a first step to treat your infertility and expand your family. Before you move ahead to get the treatment, you should educate yourself about IVF. And for this, you can ask a few questions to your doctor. Here is the list of 10 important questions you should ask:    

1. What tests/screenings are important to find the root cause of infertility?

First of all, you should know the cause of your fertility problems if you want to make your IVF treatment more successful for you. Multiple causes exist in many cases. However, an inability to conceive even after having unprotected sex at the right time for more than 6-12 months is the primary reason of infertility. Infertility tests can help you and your doctor to know the root cause. Some standard tests that your doctor can recommend you are as follows:

  • Smen analysis 
  • Ovarian reserve test 
  • Ultrasound 
  • Tubal patency test 
  • Hormonal tests 

2. Can you make a delay to get treatment or your situation get worse with time after knowing the root cause of your infertility? 

Your IVF treatment timing depends on several factors. Your doctor can ask you to undergo the treatment if your condition or cause can lower the outcomes of the IVF treatment for you. Some factors that badly affect the IVF treatment timeline are as follows:

  • Endometriosis or low ovarian reserve causes failed pregnancy 
  • Tubal scarring, blockage, or damage 
  • Hormonal imbalance

3. Are there side effects of IVF treatment or is it risky?

IVF treatment can cause you physical discomfort. You can lower your discomfort and make your treatment smoother by following your doctor’s instructions. Here are some possible risks that might occur to you: 

  • Premature delivery 
  • Multiple pregnancies 
  • Complications at the time of egg extraction 
  • Low birth weight 
  • OHSS (ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome)
  • Pelvic pain 

4. Is IVF the first step to treat infertility?

The first step of your infertility treatment completely depends on the results of the recommended tests/screenings. In certain cases, doctors prefer less invasive treatment options like IUI (intrauterine insemination). However, it is always not possible. Your doctor recommend IVF treatment to you when you have:

  • Blocked/damaged fallopian tubes
  • Low sperm count 
  • Uterine issues 
  • Antibodies that affect egg quality 

5. What are the chances of conception in the first IVF cycle?

Conception in the first IVF cycle is possible for all couples. Your conception chance depends on several factors that could be:

  • Your age 
  • The root cause of your infertility 
  • Your medical history and family background 
  • Your stress level 

6. How can you improve your pregnancy chances through IVF?

To increase your IVF treatment success and pregnancy chance, you should consult a highly experienced and skilled fertility specialist. You need to follow his/her instructions and adapt a healthy lifestyle that:

  • Says you to quit your smoking and drinking 
  • Recommends you to stick to a well-balanced and healthy diet 
  • Includes regular exercising 
  • Asks you to take proper rest and sleep soundly at night 
  • States you to manage your stress 

7. What IVF treatment cost will be for you?

IVF treatment consumes time and is expensive. So, you need to manage your time and finances before you move ahead. The actual IVF treatment cost depends on several factors that can include:

  • Your age
  • The clinic you visit or the doctor you consult 
  • Your infertility cause
  • Number of the required IVF cycles 
  • Test and treatment requirements 
  • Medicines 
  • Clinic/hospital stay 

8. Is there any other option after having an unsuccessful IVF procedure?

Yes, there are options to have conception after an IVF failure. Based on your reproductive and overall health status, your doctor can recommend:

  • ICSI or intracytoplasmic sperm injection 
  • IVF with donor sperm or egg
  • Frozen embryo transfer 
  • Surrogacy 

9. Is single or multiple embryo transfer more successful?

A doctor alone cannot decide the transfer of a single or multiple embryos. However, the expert can suggest a suitable number of embryos for transplantation based on your needs and consent. The situations that affect the number of embryo transfers are as follows:

  • Your age – it is below or above 38
  • The quality of egg
  • Number of IVF attempts Low ovarian reserve and sperm count 

10. Which is better – frozen or fresh embryo transfer?

As per the available studies till date, frozen embryo transfer (FET) is better in comparison with the fresh one. However, it depends on your consent and reproductive health status or recommended test results. You can discuss it with your doctor. 

Conclusion 

IVF or in vitro fertilisation is an effective ART treatment to cure infertility despite being expensive and time consuming. Its success depends on several factors and varies from one couple to another. Selecting the right clinic and educating yourself on all associated points can help you get maximum positive results from your treatment. And you will enjoy your parenthood after a certain time.