- Do I need IVF?
IVF is indicated when alternative treatments are either unlikely to achieve a pregnancy or have failed to result in a pregnancy. If you have blocked fallopian tubes or extensive pelvic adhesions preventing the egg from entering the fallopian tubes, IVF is indicated.
Another common indication for IVF is low sperm counts. Because IVF allows us to super concentrate sperm, successful fertilisation can occur even if your partner has low sperm counts.
Infertility is said to be ‘unexplained’ if you are unable to conceive in spite of all tests being normal. In this case, IVF is an option if you have failed to conceive with Intrauterine Insemination (IUI).
IVF may also be advisable if you have Polycystic Ovaries (PCOS) and if ovulation induction with or without IUI has not been successful.
If you have mild to moderate Endometriosis, IUI may be tried before proceeding to IVF, but in the case of severe Endometriosis, IVF is advisable.
- Do I need ICSI?
Intracytoplasmic Sperm Injection (ICSI) has revolutionised the treatment of male infertility. ICSI is advisable if the male partner’s sperm count or a number of motile sperm is very low or the morphology is excessively poor.
Your Fertility Physician at Aster IVF will advise you if ICSI is recommended for you based on the results of the Semen Analysis and other risk factors.
- Is IVF/ ICSI expensive?
IVF/ ICSI involves highly trained professionals with sophisticated laboratories and equipment. The total cost of an IVF/ ICSI cycle largely depends on your age, hormonal test results and the dose of medication required to stimulate the ovaries. It varies from AED 20,000 to AED 25,000 in our facility.
- IS IMSI better than ICSI? Is it a big advance?
IMSI stands for ‘ Intracytoplasmic Morphologically Selected Sperm Injection’. It involves examining the semen sample under an extremely powerful microscope to pick out the best appearing sperm, which is then used in the ICSI protocol. An efficiently performed ICSI carried out by a competent embryologist already ensures that good quality sperms are picked up. Evidence based medicine is yet to conclusively prove the advantages of IMSI over ICSI in terms of pregnancy rates and long term outcomes. We offer IMSI at Aster IVF.
- Are birth defects more common in babies conceived using IVF/ ICSI?
The percentage of birth defects with IVF is roughly the same as in the general population (3-4%). The chances of birth defects after ICSI are rare. Some of the problems that caused the male infertility, however, may be genetic. In these cases, boys conceived with the use of ICSI may have infertility issues as adults.
- What are the health risks for women undergoing IVF/ ICSI cycles?
The drugs used during IVF/ ICSI may on occasion cause side effects. There is a small but significant risk of Multiple Pregnancies, Ectopic Pregnancy, Pelvic Infection and rarely Injury to nearby organs. Controlled Ovarian Hyperstimulation (COH) is associated with a risk of Ovarian Hyperstimulation Syndrome (OHSS). Symptoms of OHSS include the following in varying degrees of severity: nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, extreme bloating, rapid weight gain, difficulty breathing etc.
Aster IVF has put into practice an OHSS-free protocol called IVF LiteTM.
- What do we do if extra Eggs remain after an Egg Retrieval Procedure?
Extra Eggs remaining after the Egg Retrieval Procedure may be frozen by the CryotechTM Vitrification procedure which gives almost 100% survival. This makes future ART cycles simpler, less expensive and less invasive than the initial cycle, since the woman does not require ovarian stimulation or egg retrieval.
- What are the Success Rates?
Our Group success rates are among the best globally. They are the result of years of experience and constant fine-tuning of our stimulation protocols, our laboratory culture conditions and our embryo transfer guidelines.
The most important factors determining the success of a cycle are the woman’s age and the reason for the infertility. We will be pleased to discuss your individual case history with you and provide advice that is tailored for you.
