FAQ’s
How
do I start an IVF cycle?
Your first step is to contact
us though the contact us section of this website. You
will be scheduled to speak with one of our Fertility Specialists.
You do not need a referral letter for this appointment. It
is advisable that you fax or bring a copy of any previous
medical records, which are pertinent to this appointment.
After your consultation with the Consultant if an IVF cycle
has been decided as the treatment most suitable for you, you
will have a consultation with a Clinical Nurse Coordinator.
At this consultation our nurse will give you a full overview
and orientation of the details and procedures involved in
an IVF cycle. Our nurse will give you a step-by-step outline
of what to expect during your treatment and any additional
tests required.
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What routine testing is required prior to IVF at Barbados
Fertility Centre?
All couples undergoing IVF at BFC require pre-cycle testing.
A general list of these tests are available on our website
but they do vary slightly depending on what treatment a couple
is having. The list appropriate to you will be available after
your initial consultation
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What
are the side effects of medications used in IVF?
In general, the IVF medications used to prepare the uterus
and to stimulate the ovaries only have temporary symptoms
such as abdominal bloating, low-grade headaches, hot flushes,
mood swings but are not known to carry any long-term risks
of cancer of the ovary, unless there is a family history of
ovarian cancer. The most serious side effect would be ovarian
hyperstimulation syndrome (OHSS) – see more detail under
risks.
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How
many eggs should I expect to get?
Your in-cycle monitoring ultrasound scans will be able to
give you an accurate count of how many follicles are developing.
However, not every follicle always contains an egg. Usually
about 80% of follicles yield an egg. The number of eggs collected
is dependant upon each patient’s response but at Barbados
Fertility Centre our average egg number is 10 per retrieval.
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Are
the procedures involved in IVF painful?
The pre IVF cycle lab-work tests includes the drawing of blood
for various tests and an evaluation of the cavity of the uterus
called the saline infusions sonogram (SIS) which can be done
in your gynaecologist’s office and you should experience
minimal discomfort. You will also have injectable fertility
medications, which are administered subcutaneously with a
short needle and discomfort should be tolerable.
The egg retrieval is performed through the vagina with ultrasound
and a fine needle. Patients at Barbados Fertility Centre are
asleep during this procedure. The procedure is known as conscious
sedation. This is not a general anesthetic but patients are
not awake and they have no pain. They wake up very quickly
after the egg retrieval, which usually lasts 15-30 minutes.
The embryo transfer procedure is similar to a Pap smear or
IUI procedure and is generally performed with minimal discomfort.
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If my cycle is unsuccessful when can I have another
one?
We recommend you take one month’s break between fresh
IVF cycles to allow the ovaries resume to normal before being
re-stimulated. If you do have frozen embryos remaining from
your fresh cycle however, you can choose to proceed with a
frozen embryo transfer cycle without a break.
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How long can my embryos remain frozen?
The HFEA in the UK, whose guidelines we follow at Barbados
Fertility Centre, states that embryos can safely remain frozen
for up to 5 years.
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What happens if I want to use my frozen embryos elsewhere?
Embryos are being continuously shipped between IVF clinics
worldwide for many reasons. At Barbados Fertility Centre we
have very stringent protocols, which we follow to prevent
any damage to your embryos in transit, to the clinic of your
choice.
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What
activity restrictions should I follow after my embryo transfer?
Once you are discharged we recommend our patients rest the
day of the embryo transfer procedure. Normal activities can
be resumed the day afterwards. We do not recommend any high
impact activities or over-exertion until the pregnancy test.
We advise patients to avoid any hot-tubs/Jacuzzis or hot baths
during this time also. Sexual intercourse can resume at any
time depending on the female patients level of comfort after
the egg retrieval.
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I
am on the birth control pill (BCP) and spotting – is
this normal?
Yes, breakthrough bleeding is one of the most common side-effects
of the pill. If you are having any bleeding or spotting and
are concerned, phone your nurse coordinator. However, it is
nothing to be worried about as the medication is still having
the desired effect. You still need to continue the pill every
day until directed by your clinic to discontinue.
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Can
my endometriosis affect my fertility or IVF cycle?
Endometriosis is a medical condition where cells that usually
remain confined to the cavity of the uterus, grow outside
of the uterus usually on or in the ovaries and also on the
surface of the pelvic cavity between the uterus and the rectum.
Endometriosis can cause pelvic pain and may also decrease
the chances of natural conception, as it can affect tubal
function and ovulation. Patients who require IVF and who have
endometriosis should still have the same chances of a successful
outcome as patients of the same age without endometriosis.
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What about alternative treatments like acupuncture?
Acupuncture and Reflexology, administered by an experienced
practitioner who is aware of your medical diagnoses and treatment
plan, can facilitate relaxation as well as optimise ovarian
response and implantation. We encourage our patients to seek
assistance in these areas. Herbal medicines can be helpful
but also potentially dangerous. We ask our couples to review
any herbal medication with us prior to starting a course.
They need to be dispensed under the guidance of an experienced
practitioner.
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