IVF questions and answers in Kolhapur

Why is IVF expensive?

IVF needs a specialised laboratory, trained embryologists and imported equipment. Most of the materials used in the lab are single-use and are thrown away after one patient. These costs make up most of the price of a cycle.

Is the test tube baby cost the same as the IVF cost?

Yes. “Test tube baby” is the common name for IVF, so the cost is the same. Your doctor will explain the cost of your own treatment after your tests.

Does health insurance pay for IVF?

Many health insurance plans in India do not cover IVF. Some newer plans cover part of it. Check your policy papers or ask your insurance company before you start treatment.

What are our chances of success with IVF?

There is no single success rate that applies to every couple. The chance of a pregnancy depends mostly on the woman’s age, the reason for the infertility, egg and sperm quality, and whether this is a first or a repeat cycle.

At your consultation, ask your doctor to explain your own chances, based on your test results and your age. A clinic that gives you one number before seeing your reports is not giving you useful information.

How many IVF cycles might we need?

Some couples have a pregnancy after one cycle. Others need more than one. If a cycle does not work, your doctor will look at what happened and discuss with you whether to try again, change the plan, or consider other options.

How long should we wait between two cycles?

Usually about three months. This gives the body time to recover and lets the doctor look at why the first cycle did not work. If there was a pregnancy that stopped, the wait is usually about six months, because the lining of the uterus needs treatment first. Your doctor will tell you what suits your case.

How does IVF work, step by step?

1. Consultation. The doctor looks at your history and reports and explains the plan.
2. Tests and injections. Injections are given for about 8 to 14 days to help the ovaries grow more eggs. Scans check how the eggs are growing.
3. Egg collection. Eggs are collected in a short procedure, usually 5 to 10 minutes, under light sedation.
4. Sperm sample. The husband gives a sample on the same day, unless frozen or donor sperm is being used.
5. Fertilisation in the lab. The eggs and sperm are brought together in the lab.
6. Embryo growth. The embryos are kept in an incubator for 3 to 5 days.
7. Embryo transfer. An embryo is placed into the uterus through a thin tube. This takes 2 to 5 minutes.
8. Pregnancy test. A blood test about two weeks after the transfer.

Read more about IVF treatment at Orchid.

How many days does IVF take, and how many visits?

One IVF cycle takes about three weeks from the first injection to the embryo transfer, plus about two weeks of waiting for the pregnancy test. Most visits are short scans. If you are travelling from outside Kolhapur, ask us before you start so you can plan your days and your leave from work.

Does IVF hurt?

Here is what each step feels like. The injections use a very thin needle and are given under the skin. Egg collection is done under light sedation, so you are asleep for it; some women feel mild discomfort or cramping afterwards. The embryo transfer takes 2 to 5 minutes and is done without anaesthesia. Everyone feels things differently, so tell your doctor or nurse if something is uncomfortable.

When should a couple think about IVF?

Doctors usually suggest IVF when simpler treatments have not worked, or when the test results point to it from the start. Common reasons include blocked fallopian tubes, a low sperm count or poor sperm movement, endometriosis that has not responded to other treatment, problems with ovulation, age-related changes, and cases where no clear cause is found.

What is IUI?

IUI, or intrauterine insemination, is a simpler treatment than IVF. The husband’s sperm is washed and prepared in the lab, then placed directly into the wife’s uterus around the time an egg is released. It does not suit every couple. Your doctor will tell you after your tests whether it is a sensible first step for you. Read about IUI treatment.

What is ICSI?

ICSI stands for intracytoplasmic sperm injection. In normal IVF, the sperm has to enter the egg on its own. In ICSI, the embryologist picks one sperm and places it directly inside the egg. Doctors often use ICSI when the sperm count is low, when the sperm do not move well, or when an earlier IVF cycle had poor fertilisation. Read about ICSI treatment.

What can be done if the sperm count is low?

A low sperm count is called oligospermia. ICSI is often used in these cases, because only a small number of healthy sperm are needed. Your doctor will decide after a semen test and, where needed, further tests.

What if there are no sperm in the semen?

Some men have no sperm in the semen sample. This is called azoospermia. In these cases, procedures such as TESA, TESE or Micro-TESE can collect tissue directly from the testis to look for sperm. If sperm are found, ICSI can be used.

What is cryopreservation, or freezing?

Cryopreservation means freezing eggs, sperm or embryos so they can be used later. Eggs can be frozen by women who want to try for a baby later. Sperm can be frozen by men before treatment that may affect fertility, such as cancer treatment. Extra embryos from an IVF cycle can be frozen and used in a later month without going through a full cycle again. Read about freezing eggs, sperm or embryos.

How long do I need to rest after the embryo transfer?

About 15 to 20 minutes of rest after the transfer is enough. You can go back to your normal daily routine, including office work, the next day. Avoid heavy lifting and hard exercise.

Does lying in bed after the transfer help?

No. Research has found that complete bed rest after an embryo transfer does not help, and women who carry on with normal activity often do better. Walking and normal movement do not dislodge the embryo. The uterus holds it in the same way it would in a natural pregnancy.

What should I do and not do after the embryo transfer?

Carry on with normal daily activity. Walking and light exercise are fine. Avoid heavy lifting and hard exercise. Eat home-cooked food and drink enough water. Take the medicines your doctor prescribed, exactly as told. Try to keep stress low, and call the clinic if anything worries you.

Can I exercise after the embryo transfer?

Yes, walking and light exercise are fine. Avoid lifting heavy weights and any hard exercise.

Where is Orchid IVF Center and when is it open?

Orchid IVF Center is at 202, Second Floor, Eternity Square, opposite RTO Office, Tarabai Park, Kolhapur, Maharashtra. It is open Monday to Saturday, 8:00 am – 5:00 pm, and closed on Sunday. Phone: 0231 265 7167. Visit us in Kolhapur.

Does Orchid do any test to find out if the baby is a boy or a girl?

No. Finding out or choosing the sex of a baby is illegal in India under the PCPNDT Act. Orchid IVF Center does not do it.

Should the husband come for the first visit?

Yes. Fertility problems can be with the husband, the wife, or both. A semen test is quick and gives the doctor important information early, so both partners should come to the first visit. See what the fertility tests involve.