What should I expect during my initial consultation?
You will see your consultant who will take a detailed history to understand your personal circumstances, the fertility assistance you are looking for and any other medical issues. A detailed fertility-focused ultrasound scan including colour Doppler and 3D imaging will be done in the same sitting to identify any potential issue that may interfere with fertility. Finally a discussion of different options will lead to an agreed treatment plan that is personalised for you.
What is gentle IVF and how does it differ from conventional IVF?
Gentle or Mild IVF uses lower than conventional stimulation dose, typically ≤ 150 IU/ day of FSH, to try to encourage only healthier follicles to grow. In contrast, conventional ovarian stimulation entails higher daily dose to try to retrieve as many eggs as possible. Evidence from randomised controlled trials show that despite obtaining fewer eggs, the pregnancy (live birth) rates with gentle or mild stimulation is no different from those of conventional IVF, while mild stimulation is safer, kinder on patients and more affordable.
Is gentle IVF as effective as conventional IVF?
The evidence from randomised controlled trials showed gentle IVF (or a stimulation dose of ≤ 150 IU/ day is as effective as higher stimulation conventional IVF with no difference in the take-home baby (live birth) rates per fresh IVF cycles as well as cumulative live birth rates.
What is OHSS and how is the risk reduced?
Will I produce enough eggs?
How many eggs you will get is predominantly determined by your age and ovarian (follicular) reserve. If your ovaries are unable to produce the number of eggs that may optimise the success, we offer you a package of multiple cycles to try to compensate this.
I'm over 40 — is this approach suitable for me?
If reasonable, we offer IVF treatment with own eggs up to 46 years to those who wish to try with their own eggs before considering donor eggs or to those who do not consider donor eggs treatment as an option at all. As a successful pregnancy (live birth) is almost unheard of in women over 46 years, we find offering treatment with own eggs would be unethical.
I've been told I'm a "poor responder." Can you help?
If you are a poor responder, an individualised plan will be offered to try to maximise your success. If your ovaries are unable to produce the number of eggs, usually we offer you a package of multiple cycles to try to overcome this deficiency.
I have PCOS — is this approach right for me?
Are medication costs included in the IVF packages?
As medication costs varies widely with the treatment protocol, it is not included in the treatment package. Usually, medicine cost of an IVF cycle ranges from £800-
£1000 on average. A breakdown of the price of all the medications will be provided.
What is the success rate at Birmingham IVF?
Being a new establishment, we cannot give a reliable success rate based on small number of patients. Once we treat an adequate number of patients, the success rate can be found both in our and in the HFEA websites.