What we do  IVF|ICSI


Tips and Advice


Good advice in advance
Click on Lifestyle if you want to know how you can improve your chances of getting pregnant.
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IVF-treatment is individually tailored
ivf treatment is individually tailored
Everyone is different. In order to maximize your chances of success and minimize inconveniences, your treatment will be specifically tailored to your individual needs.
  • Firstly, there are several different options when it comes to the stimulation phase (see the stimulation phase or the schematic overview): your doctor will decide which is best for you. This is determined by the results of of the preliminary investigations, but also by what is practically most achievable for you.
  • Furthermore, the hMG or rec-FSH dose to be administered can vary in the number of units or ampules. The first doses are determined by the results of initial investigations, subsequent dosages will be adjusted accordingly, depending on the effect of the hormones administered.
  • Do not become too quickly disheartened. It is possible that the initial stimulation of the ovaries will be less effective than desired. Don't panic. Usually an adjustment to the doses will be sufficient to ensure a better result next time.

In general, IVF provides much room for maneuver. The CRG strives to provide you with the the most appropriate form of treatment.

 
avoiding injection errors
The success of your IVF treatment depends partly on how well you follow all the guidelines and instructions. For example, make sure the hormone injections are correctly administered during the stimulation phase of your ovaries, be they administered by yourself, your partner or by someone else.
In the case of Menopur (hMG) which comes in the form of a powder that needs to be dissolved in a solvent, the powder and solvent are packed in separate ampoules in the same box. Make sure you never inject the solvent without first dissolving the powder. Obviously, this would not produce any stimulation. Also, if your instructions say inject two ampoules of hMG, this means two ampoules of powder dissolved in one ampoule of solvent. As long as you don't need more than four ampoules of powder, one ampoule of solvent will be sufficient. Starting from five ampoules of powder it is desirable to use two ampoules of solvent.
Regarding Gonal-F or Puregon (rec-FSH) there is no such problem: both products are already dissolved and come with dosage pens. Yet you have to make sure you take the correct dose from the phial.
In short, pay attention when you have the injection, also when someone else administers it. Even doctors and nurses make mistakes.
 
many eggs does not mean many embryos
If the pick-up results in a multitude of eggs, that is of course great news. But it doesn't guarantee copious numbers of embryos. Sometimes, from a total of 15 or 20 eggs, only a handful or even no embryos will develop. Therefore do not 'count your chickens before they hatch' as this often leads to disappointment.
On the other hand, don't be too disheartened by a poor result. You might have but a few embryos during one attempt, and plenty the next. This can happen too.
 
make sure we can reach you
The cCentre's DM department will telephone at certain stages of your treatment to give you information and instructions. You must realize that it is of utmost importance that we can always reach you at the right moment. This means we prefer to have your mobile phone number.
Take into account that DM will only leave a message on your voicemail if your greeting clearly states your name. This is the only way we can make sure that the message reaches the right person.
 
how soon after one attempt can i begin with another?
We would advise you not to begin immediately. You need some time to recuperate both mentally and physically.
It is important to give the ovaries time to settle down again, to allow the stress to dissipate and to come to terms with the disappointment following an unsuccessful treatment.
Generally speaking, a maximum of four IVF cycles will be carried out in one years' time. A new cycle can only begin once permission has been granted by the gynaecologist.
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