How to Prepare for IVF

When patients choose an in vitro fertilization clinic, they have many options. However, check out all the possibilities, information about live birth rates, costs etc. IVF in India is perhaps the cheapest, so many women from all around the globe go to India in hope of getting pregnant. Whatever clinic you choose, you and your partner will have to do various screenings, such as: semen analysis, ovarian reserve testing, diseases screening (for HIV, hepatitis B and C, chlamydia), mock embryo transfer, uterine cavity test. Of course, every clinic has their own requirements, but these are the common ones.

Before beginning a IVF cycle, there are some important questions you should consider. First of all, the number of embryos that will be implanted. Usually, implantation rate is lower for older female patients, so more embryos are implanted. The exception is when a woman is using donor eggs. Most doctors, however, follow the IVF guidelines in order to prevent multiple pregnancy of a higher order. In some countries, even legislation limits the number of implanted embryos at ones. It is important to agree with your doctor about the number of implanted embryos. Also, ask yourself what to do with extra embryos? You can freeze and store unimplemented embryos for the future use and this way you will make future cycles of IVF less invasive and cheaper. However, keep in mind that freezing and thawing is not what all the embryos will survive. You can also donate unused embryos to be used in research or for another couple’s IVF.

With IVF, there is a great possibility of a multiple pregnancy. Can you handle it? Sometimes a fetal reduction might be needed in order to help a patient deliver babies with lower health risk for both the patient and her babies. Fetal reduction is, however, a tough decision with psychological, emotional and ethical consequences.