Photo by Anna Pritchard on Unsplash
You and your partner have been trying for two years to fall pregnant. Your toddler is demanding a brother and you want to grow your family. But something is not right and your doctor has referred you to an IVF clinic.
While IVF can sound daunting, it has come a long way since the first “test-tube” baby in 1978. More and more families are turning to IVF treatment to grow their brood. To make your visit to an IVF clinic a pleasant one, be prepared and know what to expect. Read on to find out five interesting tips about IVF clinics.
Understanding In Vitro Fertilisation
What exactly is IVF? While the term is known in most households, some people still don’t understand what in vitro fertilisation entails. Simply explained, in vitro means “in the lab” and fertilisation is the conception process.
Eggs are retrieved from the woman and placed in a petri dish containing the man’s sperm. If all goes well, the sperm will fertilise the eggs and embryos grow. Healthy embryos are inserted into the uterus.
What Can an IVF Clinic do For You?
An IVF or fertility clinic specialises in infertility. Their staff are trained to deal with a wide range of infertility problems and to advise you on the best procedure for your profile. Fertility clinics have their own laboratories, often with state-of-the-art equipment. The advantage of an IVF clinic is receiving advice, treatment and support all under one roof for both you & your partner.
Choosing the Right Fertility Clinic
It’s important to do some research before choosing your fertility clinic. IVF is a costly and intricate procedure. To give you the best chance of a successful IVF, you want to ask the following questions when deciding on the right fertility clinic:
- How long have the medical staff and team been at the clinic? High staff turnover could indicate problems.
- What procedures are done at the clinic? A wider range of infertility treatments gives you more scope when getting the right procedure done.
- What are the costs of the treatments?
- Do they offer psychological support?
Alternative Procedures to IVF
Besides the conventional IVF treatment, there are other options to consider:
- AI/IUI Treatment: Artificial insemination of sperm into your uterus
- Ovulation Induction: Stimulation of ovaries with medicines
- Donor Cycles: Using donated sperm, ova or embryos
- IMSI Treatment: Injecting selected sperm directly into the ova
A fertility specialist will be able to advise you on the right procedure for you depending on your medical history.
Psychological Support
Undergoing any form of IVF treatment can be an emotional time for both you and your partner. Getting psychological support is essential and it has been proven that emotional support enhances the chances of having a successful pregnancy.
Being Prepared Helps You Pick The Right IVF Clinic
Preparing for your family’s next chapter is exciting and scary at the same time. Whether you’re looking for IVF clinics in South Africa or in Australia, be sure to pick the right one for you. Luckily, there are experts across the globe, so you can have your happy family future, no matter where you live.
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