Frequently Asked Questions

One can improve the chance of a successful embryo transfer by avoiding physical and mental stress. The embryo transfer procedure is a stressful yet exciting milestone in the fertility treatment journey for every woman.

• Sit back, relax, and laugh. Surrounding oneself with a positive and happy environment has shown to give more positive results.
• Take the prescribed medications and get as much rest as possible.
• Take rest but not too much. Lying on the bed all the time in the name of bed rest is something you should avoid after an embryo transfer. Take rest, get plenty of sleep, but, with it, you can still continue your daily routine. It is, however, important to listen to your body and take an off day from household or office work, if you want and feel like it.
• Do not keep worrying constantly about the outcome of Embryo transfer. Indulge in distractions such as reading a good book, listening to music or watching movies, do what you enjoy in your free time.

The bloating of the stomach will settle after a couple of days, however, if it persists with abdominal pain, nausea, difficulty urinating, vomiting, redness or swelling in the wounded area, immediate consultation with the doctor is recommended.

In-vitro Fertilization or IVF is a process which involves the following steps:

• Ovarian stimulation
• Egg retrieval
• Sperm retrieval
• Fertilization
• Embryo transfer

One cycle of IVF can take about two to three weeks.

The success rate per embryo transfer is 55-65%, more that one cycle may be required.

One must give it time. On the other hand, there are chances of multiple births, i.e, if more than one embryo is transferred into your uterus. The use of multiple embryos is done to increase the chances of conception. Stress can also be brought on by the length of the process, hormonal changes, and medication.

The chances of a fetus born with malformation is similar to natural conception.

Endometrial Receptive Array (ERA) is a clinical application to check status of endometrium (inner linings of the uterus). This is usually done when an altered timing of the window of implantation (WOI) has been proposed after one has had recurrent implantation failure (RIF).

Endometrial Receptivity Analysis (ERA), is a test where a small sample of the woman’s endometrial lining is taken so it can be determined which day would be the best day to transfer the embryo during an IVF cycle.

Female infertility can occur due to a number of reasons such as advanced age, hormonal disturbance, ovulation abnormalities or Uterine factors. However, today with a number of revolutionary advancements in the field of fertility medicine, there are a number of treatment options available to treat female infertility – usually a mix of medications and assisted therapies.

Medications include

• Clomiphene citrate/ Letrozole
• Metformin
• Gonadotropins
• Bromocriptine

Assisted Reproduction techniques involves handling of male or female gametes outside the human body.

The Various techniques include:

• IUI/AID
• IVF
• ICSI
• PICSI
• FET
• Oocyte Freezing
• Embryo Freezing
• Semen Freezing
• Oocyte Donation

On consultation with the fertility doctor, you will be prescribed the best treatment option/plan idea for you.

IUI or intrauterine insemination, is a type of AI (artificial insemination) in which sperm is placed directly into the uterus, close to the fallopian tubes, where fertilization takes place. IUI is done in the doctor’s office, during a visit timed to correspond to when you’re ovulating either during a natural cycle or ovulation induction cycle.

Here’s what to expect during your IUI procedure:

• The doctor will take a concentrated sperm sample from your partner or donor and inject it into your uterus using a thin, flexible catheter that is placed into the vagina and through the cervix. The procedure taken less than 15 minutes and is generally painless.
• Once the insemination is complete, you’ll be asked to rest for 10-15 minutes. You will be able to return to your regular activities shortly after.
• You need not worry if you experience light spotting for a day or two after your IUI treatment — that’s normal in some women.

The two of the most common fertility treatments are In-Vitro Fertilization (IVF) and Intracytoplasmic Sperm Injection (ICSI).

In vitro fertilisation (IVF) is a technique where a woman’s eggs are collected from her ovaries and placed with sperms in a dish. Fertilisation is allowed to proceed naturally.

Intracytoplasmic sperm injection or ICSI, is a procedure where the sperm is directly injected into the egg under microscopic guidance. Any embryos created in this process, will later be placed back into the womb to grow and develop to form a baby.

Yes, transfer of spontaneously hatching or hatched blastocyst yields better pregnancy rates than expanded blastocyst transfer in certain conditions such as:

1. Thick Zona pellucida (membrane around embryo)
2. Embryo resulting from frozen eggs.
3. Recurrent Implantation failure.

Frozen embryo transfer, or FET, is a type of assisted reproductive technology procedure for infertility in which a previously frozen embryo is thawed and transferred into the woman’s pre-prepared uterus in order for her to be able to conceive a baby.

Frozen embryo is a term used for embryos that are not transferred during an IVF cycle but are instead deemed suitable for cryopreservation or freezing.

The reason we may not transfer embryos during fresh IVF cycle includes:

1. Prevention of OHSS.
2. Very High estradiol levels.
3. Too thin or too thick endometrium (lining of Uterus)
4. Abnormal progesterone levels.

At your (the woman’s) cycle baseline, you’ll be instructed to begin a sequence of about 10 days of estrogen tablets/creams to build the uterine lining. Then, upon demonstration of a thickened endometrium lining, you’ll be given instructions to begin progesterone for usually 4-5 days prior to the embryo transfer. Prior to transfer, your embryo(s) will be thawed and prepared for transfer. The embryos which survives upon thawing are selected for transfer.