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| FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS (IVF FAQs) |
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| Question 1 |
Where were you trained? |
| Answer 1 |
We completed our MD in Obstetrics and Gynecology from India's premier medical college, KEM Hospital in Bombay University. We are extremely familiar with the US medical system, because we have trained at Johns Hopkins Medical School and Harvard Medical School. We have received advanced training in IVF at King's College Hospital, London; and the University of California at San Francisco.
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| Question 2 |
How long do I need to be in India if I need to come to your clinic for IVF treatment?
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| Answer 2 |
You would need to spend about 20 days in India, starting from Day 1 of your cycle. You need to come to the clinic for only 4- 7 visits. From Day 4 - Day 9, you can even visit the Taj or Ajanta-Ellora; or go to Kerala for an ayurvedic massage to de-stress yourself. Go ahead and explore India - it's a completely different world! This means you can have an incredible holiday as well. If your local doctor agrees, you can start your meds in your hometown and come directly on Day 10, which means you would have to spend only about 10 days in Bombay. US $ 50 per night in India.
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| Question 3 |
Do I have to get any tests/blood work done by my gynecologist before we start the procedure?
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| Answer 3 |
We need the results of the following simple medical tests before starting an IVF cycle.
1. Semen analysis for your husband
2. Blood tests for you for the following reproductive hormones - FSH ( follicle-stimulating hormone),LH ( luteinising hormone),PRL ( prolactin) and TSH ( thyroid stimulating hormone) on Day 3 of your cycle, ( to check the quality of your eggs);
3. A HSG ( hysterosalpingogram, X-ray of the uterus and tubes) on Day 8 of your cycle ( to confirm your uterine cavity is normal);
4. A vaginal ultrasound scan on Day 10-13 of your cycle, to confirm your uterus is normal.
If the tests have been done in the past one year, there is no need to repeat them. If there is a problem, then we can treat it prior to starting IVF!
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| Question 4 |
Can I bring the medications from US, if my insurance provider covers the costs for it?
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| Answer 4 |
Yes.
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| Question 5 |
How frequently should we visit your clinic during the IVF treatment cycle?
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| Answer 5 |
About 7 visits - on Day 1,3,10,12,14,16 and 18
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| Question 6 |
How much does it cost for freezing the embryos? |
| Answer 6 |
US $ 1500. This includes storage for 1 year |
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| Question 7 |
If a cycle of IVF fails, what should be the time gap that needs to be given before we try again? |
| Answer 7 |
You can cycle back to back if you so desire. |
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| Question 8 |
If I decide to stay there until we confirm the pregnancy with an ultrasound, is it safe for me to fly back after that during my first trimester? |
| Answer 8 |
Yes, this is fine too. |
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| Question 9 |
If you transfer 3 embryos and only one implants, what happens to the rest? Will I bleed when they miscarry? |
| Answer 9 |
Embryos which do not implant stop dividing and die. When they do so, these dead cells are silently reabsorbed by the body (just like the other millions of old cells which die daily in your body). They do not cause bleeding. |
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| Question 10 |
What do I do if I have bleeding after the embryo transfer? |
| Answer 10 |
I agree this can be scary and can suggest that the embryos have not implanted and that the period is due to start soon. However, bleeding can also occur during implantation, and it's not possible to determine its origin. If you bleed, just rest; drink lots of fluids; and do the blood test for beta HCG as planned. Don't lose hope! Bleeding can occur during pregnancy as well! |
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| Question 11 |
Even though I have health insurance, my insurance policy will not cover infertility treatment! Isn't this unfair? |
| Answer 11 |
Yes, it is. However, the situation will not change until you (and other infertile patients) do something about it! After all, an insurance company is a profit-making business enterprise, and it's in their best interests to exclude as many diseases as they can, as their only focus is their bottom-line! The good news is that patients can lobby to get this to change. This can be a slow process, and you need to fight for your rights! This has been done successfully by infertility support groups in some States in the US (where it is now compulsory for insurance companies to cover IVF treatment). If you work in a large corporate, you can put pressure on your HRD department, and request them to insist that their insurance policy provider covers IVF treatment. You can learn how to write an Advocacy Letter here. |
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