¿How long does fertility treatment take?
This depends on the type of treatment your specialist suggests to give you the best chance
of pregnancy. Within assisted reproduction there are fertility treatments ranging from
ovulation induction to seek pregnancy at home, to invitro fertilization with egg or sperm
donation. Depending on the complexity of the treatment, the woman's menstrual cycles
and the patient's dedication to the treatment, the treatment times vary in each case. On
average, it can take two months from the first appointment to the pregnancy test for an
invitro fertilization.
¿What is the likelihood of success of my fertility treatment?
This will depend on the diagnosis made of the couple, which includes fundamental data
such as the woman's age and the cause of infertility, and the type of treatment to be
performed. At Reprotec, we believe that the diagnosis is extremely important for the case,
so we pay special attention and care in the data to be assertive in the analysis and, above
all, to lead patients to a type of fertility treatment that really offers them the best chance
of pregnancy.
¿Are fertility treatments painful?
Fertility treatments have been significantly simplified by using subcutaneous injection
drugs with easy-to-use devices and very thin needles that make the discomfort during
ovulation induction minimal. On the other hand, follicular puncture and egg aspiration is
done under sedation to minimize the possibility of pain.
¿What is the best management for a woman with tubal ligation?
Before defining the procedure, the specialist must know the patient's age and the type of
surgery performed. These two factors influence the chances of recovering tubal function
and, consequently, of obtaining better results with in vitro fertilization.
¿Is the care of pregnancies achieved by assisted reproduction techniques the same as that of spontaneously conceived pregnancies?
Yes. Some circumstances, such as multiple pregnancies, require additional care, but
generally speaking, fertility treatment pregnancies require the same prenatal and delivery
care.
¿What factors should be taken into account in order to receive the best fertility treatment?
The best fertility treatment is one that responds to each patient's needs and diagnosis, and is based on information and planning. For this reason, it is of vital importance that the centre and the specialist offer you enough time and clarity to answer your questions and dialogue throughout the process.
On the other hand, it is important whether the centre has a quality certification of its processes and success rates. Reprotec, for example, is the only fertility centre in Colombia certified by ICONTEC, which allows it to offer high quality standards and, above all, the assurance that the published pregnancy rates are real.
¿Is there any chance of confusing our sperm, egg or embryo sample with those of other patients?
There is no possibility of this happening at Reprotec. We are one of the few centres in
Colombia and Latin America that has a system called Witness, an innovation in security
that consists of gamete identification based on radiofrequency monitoring, which
prevents possible confusion in the handling of samples in the laboratory.
¿Is there a guarantee that all couples will achieve pregnancy through assisted reproductive technologies?
No, no fertility centre can guarantee 100% success of a treatment. For each type of
treatment and diagnosis of the couple, the centres should discuss particular pregnancy
rates based on the technology available in their laboratory and the experience and track
record of their professionals.
¿How many embryos should I have transferred?
As few embryos as possible should be transferred in order to achieve the ultimate goal of
a healthy baby at home, i.e. one. At Reprotec we believe that transferring more than one
embryo does not significantly increase the possibility of pregnancy, however, it does
increase the possibility of multiple pregnancies (triplets or quadruplets) which are very
high risk for the mother and her babies. This is a decision that is made in conjunction with
the specialist. Remember that there is almost always the option of freezing other embryos
for transfer in subsequent cycles.
¿Should I freeze embryos that were not transferred in a cycle?
Undoubtedly the freezing of good quality embryos that were not transferred is of great
benefit. This technique offers patients a new chance of pregnancy without requiring
ovarian stimulation, egg retrieval and fertilization.
¿Does assisted reproduction guarantee the prevention of the transmission of hereditary diseases?
No. Assisted reproduction does not prevent, predispose or cure hereditary diseases.
However, there is a test called preimplantation genetic diagnosis (PGD) that allows genetic
and hereditary diseases to be diagnosed in embryos before they are transferred to the
uterus. With this test it is possible to know, before the transfer, if there are embryos with
genetic abnormalities and which ones.
¿What are the biggest concerns about egg and sperm donation?
The biggest concern expressed by couples receiving donated eggs and sperm is the donor
selection process. The state of physical and emotional health, genetic background,
physical appearance (phenotype), educational level and occupation, among others, are
aspects that patients want to know. At Reprotec we have very strict selection protocols
guided by the recommendations of the American Society for Reproductive Medicine -
ASRM that guarantee our patients a rigorous selection of donors as well as their
anonymity, in accordance with Colombian law.
¿Is psychological help necessary to cope with fertility treatment?
Emotional and mental health care should be an integral part of the patient's experience
and be provided on an ongoing basis throughout treatment. Not all patients appreciate
the scope and psychological impact that this process can have, and believe that they do
not need support to help them manage their emotions as individuals and as couples. At
Reprotec we recommend our patients to consider this option and we have a network of
professionals to support them, especially if the journey has been long and exhausting, or if
there have been pregnancy losses.
¿Are many attempts at assisted reproductive technologies necessary to achieve a pregnancy?
This should not be the case. If this is happening to you, it is perhaps because your doctor is
insisting on a type of treatment that is not appropriate for the type of diagnosis you have.
Your specialist must be responsible and propose a treatment that gives you the best
chance of pregnancy for the least amount of time and money.
¿Can I choose the sex of my baby?
Yes, it is possible to select the sex of the baby through a test called preimplantation
genetic diagnosis or PGD. This is a costly test but caters to this wish of the parents.
¿Do the medications used in fertility treatments have side effects?
Sometimes the medicines may cause mild side effects such as headache, mood swings or
bloating. However, if symptoms such as blurred vision, severe headache or rapid weight
gain occur, it is essential to inform your doctor.
¿Is the egg retrieval procedure painful?
No. Follicular aspiration, which consists of obtaining the eggs from inside the follicles, is an outpatient procedure performed under sedation.
Mild abdominal pain (similar to that felt with menstruation) may occur afterwards, which subsides with rest and the use of painkillers, and disappears during the course of the day.
Stimulation of the ovaries is carried out by administering injectable and/or oral hormones for a period of approximately 10 to 12 days. During this stage, follow-up ultrasounds are performed to assess the growth and development of the follicles (structures in the ovaries that contain the eggs).
Once the stimulation stage is completed, follicular aspiration is performed by puncturing the ovary with a needle that is inserted through the vagina and taken into the follicles with the help of ultrasound, aspirating the follicular fluid from which the eggs will be identified in the embryology laboratory.
Follicular aspiration lasts approximately 10 to 30 minutes. At the end of the procedure, the patient is transferred to a recovery room for a period of time that will depend on medical indications.
The world of assisted reproduction is very wide, and it is better that you get to know it with the experts. Leave us your question, we will answer your email very soon and publish it right here on our website!