FAQs

Previously fresh embryos/gametes were considered of better quality than frozen ones. This is due to the ‘cold shock’ that they experience. However, using the latest freezing technology “vitrification” eggs/embryos has a 99% survival rate, meaning they are equally as effective as fresh ones. Vitrification gives couples a great chance to preserve their fertility for the future.

For both spouses willing to preserve ova, sperms and tissues for future fertilization, Article 8 of the IUI-IVF Law permits their storage for a period of up to 10 years, and up to five years for embryos, in accordance to NHRA safety and quality standards. Spouses can request the destruction of their own gametes following storage, with mutual consent of the spouses required for the destruction of a stored embryo. Stored gametes die with their proprietors, and the termination of the marriage through divorce or death of a spouse would mean that the embryo would need to be destroyed.

As women approach the age of 35 there fecundity starts to decline. However, if an older woman uses embryos frozen at a younger age her treatment success rate is comparable to that of a younger one. This is because the age of the uterus does not impact pregnancy rates as much as the age of the egg does. In this sense, women can have a successful pregnancy for up to 50 years of age.

• Couples unable to conceive after 1 year of trial.
• Women with polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS), endometriosis and other physical imparities.
• Women suffering repeated miscarriage due to recurrent implantation failure (RIF).
• Men or women whose fertility is at risk due to a recent cancer diagnosis and subsequent fecundity toxic treatments.
• Male factor infertility
• Couples with inherited genetic disorders

This number varies between women. On average patients come in around 5 to 6 times for: 1 egg collection visit, 3-4 ultrasound examinations during ovarian stimulation and 1 time for embryo transfer.

Married couples should seek IVF treatment after one year of failed pregnancy attempts. Women aged 35 and older are encouraged to go for fertility treatment consultation after six months of failed pregnancy attempts. For women aged 40 years or older it is best to consult fertility doctors as soon as they decide to try having a child.

Al Baraka Fertility Hospital is proud to have one of the highest pregnancy rates in the world. Reaching up to 65-70% for patients below the age of 38, and up to 50% for women above the age of 38 and for frozen embryo transfers.  Our rates regularly surpass international rates. Several factors govern your personalized success range such as: diagnosis, weight, height, health, sperm count and other reproductive criteria.

Generally, patients are asked to wait one or two menstrual cycles before starting a new IVF cycle, or alternatively a frozen embryo transfer.

Medication taking during the treatment course can cause abdominal pain, bloating, hot flushes and headaches. Rare cases in IVF experience ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome (OHSS) seen in 1-5% of cases.  This subsequently leads to symptoms such as:

• Vomiting
• Shortness of breath
• Fatigue
• Observable weight gain within three to five days.
• Abdominal pain and bloated stomach
• Unable to pass urine

Possible side effects following IVF treatment:

• Constipation
• Bloating
• Cramping
• Passing a small amount of blood or clear fluid following the procedure

Pregenetic implantation diagnosis is a technique used to profile the genetic make up of embryos prior to transfer. Before this technique is carried out, couples must first complete gamete collection and do ICSI. Subsequently, the embryos cultured in the lab are biopsied for a cell sample either on day 3 or day 5.  If cell biopsy occurs on day 5 we will have to freeze the embryos until the results are back as embryo transfers are usually carried out on day 5. Alternatively, if cell biopsy is done on day 3 results will be back by day 5 so no freezing will be required.

Patient with inherited familial diseases such as sickle cell anemia, cystic fibrosis and beta thalassemia, can do PGD to ensure the embryos transferred are healthy. Additionally, couples in need of a bone marrow donation can do PGD to make sure the baby to be has matching stem cells for their sibling.

Patients with recurring pregnancy loss, advanced reproductive age, or recurrent failure of IVF treatments should consider pregenetic implantation screening (PGS). This technique is different than PGD as it screens the entire chromosomes to look for any abnormalities rather than looking for a known specific disease.

In general IVF is a risk free treatment that helps subfertile couples have healthy children.

In 1-5% of the cases, pharmaceutical ovarian stimulation can lead to ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome (OHSS), however this can be prevented with good medical practice and it can also be effectively managed in case of occurrence.

During egg collection procedure moderate sedation is administered and the risk here is comparable to any other surgery.