FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions and other helpful information

Egg Freezing

Women having egg freezing are given daily injections of follicle stimulating hormone for 10 to 12 days to encourage several eggs to develop in the ovaries.

When the follicles within the ovary reach an adequate size, final maturation of the egg itself is induced by the administration of another injection of human chorionic gonadotropin hormone. 36 hours later, egg collection is performed under ultrasound guidance as a short outpatient procedure.

Fluid containing the eggs is then drawn from the follicles in the ovary with a needle. The eggs collected from the ovary are then cryopreserved and will be thawed when the woman is ready to use them.

No, you do not need to take a leave. This part of the treatment entails a 10-15 minute visit in our clinic wherein we may perform an ultrasound scan and request blood exams, after which we will give you an injection. After receiving your injection, you can go home.

We prefer to administer the injections in the clinic in order to ensure that you are receiving the correct dose of medication. This also allows us to closely monitor your response to the treatment.

The pain is momentary during the injection only.

Yes, it is possible. This is comparable to how some women react to contraceptive pills. However, this is temporary and only during the course of treatment.

No, you will not. You will have anesthesia and will be asleep during the procedure.

No, you will not. The egg extraction process is a short outpatient procedure. The actual procedure lasts for about half an hour after which you will be observed in the recovery room for a couple of hours. You may go home after. However, we will not allow you to drive after the procedure because you may feel groggy from the anesthesia.

We practice conventional IVF for egg freezing because we want to have a good yield of harvested eggs. Based on studies, we anticipate egg thaw rates of 75% and fertilization rates of 75% in women up to 38 years of age. Thus, if 10 eggs are frozen, 7 are expected to survive the thaw, and 5 to 6 are expected to fertilize and become embryos. Usually 3-4 embryos are transferred in women up to 38 years of age. We therefore recommend that at least 10 eggs be stored for each pregnancy attempt.

You are not bed bound after the egg harvest. However, we do not advise you to engage in strenuous activities immediately after the procedure.

They are later thawed when ready to be used.

Around PHP300k. Most of the cost comes from the medications which is needed to stimulate the ovaries to produce multiple eggs.

Less than PHP10k a year.

First, you will meet with your doctor and undergo some preliminary tests. In the next few days, you will be given medications to prepare the uterus for embryo transfer.

Next, your eggs with be thawed, fertilized with sperm using ICSI (intracytoplasmic sperm injection) or injecting a single sperm into a single egg, and transferred to your uterus. After 2 weeks, a pregnancy test will requested to see if you have successfully conceived.

Less than PHP100k.

Causes of Infertility

Infertility can be defined as one year of unprotected intercourse without conception. It is estimated that about 90% of couples will achieve pregnancy in the first year and 95% in 2 years. One year is acceptable for younger women aged below 30 years but could be too long for those over 35 years as fertility diminished rapidly.

During the first investigation of the infertile couple for assisted conception, both husband and wife are encouraged to attend the primary consultation together and they are thoroughly investigated as a unit. They are required to supply any relevant information and test results that are in their possession. Series of questions on family background, medical history, menstrual history and exploration of any sexual problem will be asked during the primary consultation. A complete physical and pelvic examination of the female and genital examination of the male are integral part of the primary consultation.

Assessing the Causes: The female partner is responsible for a couple’s infertility in around 40% of cases and the male partner in a further 40%. Around 20% remain unexplained. Tests are required to determine a specific cause of infertility.

Male sub-fertility may be the largest single cause of human infertility, responsible for one third of all primary infertility, 20% of secondary infertility and for a further 20% of primary infertility involving both partners. Some of the intractable forms may be ultimately require donor insemination.

There are various factors that could cause male infertility, such as varicocele, hormonal deficiencies, blockage in the passage in epididymis, vas deferences or ejaculatory ducts, non blockage azoospermia, congenital absence of seminal vesicles, retrograde ejaculation and failure to ejaculate, and deficient or abnormal spermatozoa.

The initial infertility investigation for a man is semen analysis. When required, 2 specimens are usually organized within one month to minimize the chance of laboratory error and the possibility on an illness that might provide misleading indication of abnormal spermatogenesis.

Infertility is aged-related, a fact not easily accepted by a previously fertile woman who presents with diminished reproductive function. The decline in human fertility with age has ramifications for treatment. Approximately 10% of women experience episodes of infertility in the early 20’s.The figure climbs to another quarter or more in the early 40’s. Causes of infertility may be include ovulatory dysfunction, impaired egg quality, disturbed endometrial receptivity, and a greater incidence of endometriosis with older age. One quarter of infertile couples have more than one cause of infertility.

The initial infertility investigation for the woman is to confirm ovulation by taking blood for hormonal evaluation and ultrasound scanning to investigate the patentee of reproduction organs.

In principle, infertility treatment highly depends on the causes of the fertility problems. The more precise the causes are identified, the more specifically can it be treated and the higher chances of success.

Becoming pregnant is a complex process. Even for a fertile couple who has regular unprotected sexual intercourse, the chance of conceiving within one menstrual cycle is only approximately 20%. The same applies after treatment for infertility problems. This means, several treatment cycles may be needed before any pregnancy to occur.

In Vitro Fertilization (IVF)

Women having IVF are given follicle stimulating hormone to encourage several eggs to develop in the ovaries. Final maturation of the egg itself is induced by the administration of a human chorionic gonadotropin hormone.

36 hours later, egg collection is performed under ultrasound guidance as a short outpatient procedure. Fluid containing the eggs is drawn from the follicles in the ovary with a needle.

The eggs collected from the ovary are then mixed with a sample of the male partner’s sperm which has already been washed and concentrated. The eggs and sperm are left in an incubator so that fertilization can take place. Following fertilization, the cells divide and multiply and form an embryo. It is then transferred to the uterus by means of a thin flexible tube where it is left to implant and form a pregnancy.

We at Victory Art Lab, understands that IVF treatment is an emotional commitment and a financial decision to take. Balancing utmost quality care and cost guarantee service, our scientific team and fertility specialists provide personalized patient care eliminating unnecessary tests and charges that can impose an additional financial risk.

The treatment cost is divided into three parts:

1.Pre-treatment cost

The first step in your IVF journey is a consultation with one of our fertility specialists, who will, assess your medical history and plan appropriate fertility treatment. During this stage, blood tests, semen analysis and ultrasound tests might be requested.

2. Actual treatment

a. Fertility Medications

As part of the treatment, fertility drugs are given to stimulate the ovaries. The dosage of the drugs will depend on your basal fertility result. The cost will depend on the dosage and frequency you take the drugs.

b. Actual procedure

Oocyte retrieval, ICSI/IVF, and Embryo transfer. The laboratory set a fix amount for these procedures. A refund will be given when one of this procedure is not performed.

c. Professional fees

Different specialists charge according to the extent of the treatment:

  • Fertility Specialists
  • Anesthesiologists
  • Sonologist

 

Approximately, the total cost of an IVF cycle is 400-500,000 PHP. This however, is subject to change as each patient is treated according to their fertility plan. The patient can spend more or less than the base amount.

The chances of pregnancy are 40-50% per transfer.

Step One: Choose a Fertility Specialist

Our centre can refer you to the top Fertility specialists in the country. We also provide a Free consultation with our embryologist to assist you in choosing your specialists.

As soon as you have chosen your Fertility Specialist, phone their clinics to make an appointment.

Step Two: Meeting your Fertility Specialist

During your first meeting, the Fertility Specialist may ask you about your fertility history and carry out a physical examination. You may need to bring the previous examinations and test results as this will be significant in the treatment process.

For women, an ultrasound, to check the reproductive structure, and blood tests, to check if you are ovulating.

For men, sperm analysis to assess the quality and viability of the sperm sample.

Fertility Screening is done.

Step Three: Deciding

Once the fertility specialists has recommended a treatment plan and options, the couple will have to decide if they are emotionally and financially ready to undergo the procedure.

A visit to the laboratory can help you feel the environment and meet the staff that will assist you during the actual procedure.

Step One: Ovarian Simulation

For women, you will be given fertility drugs to stimulate your ovaries to produce more eggs. Every patient have a different treatment plan. Stimulation drug dosage will vary according the fertility profile of the patient.

Step Two: Egg Retrieval

Once the eggs are ready for harvesting, a medication to trigger ovulation is given 36 hours prior to egg retrieval.

The mature eggs collected are injected with a single sperm from your partner (ICSI). While the immature ones (if any) are cultured longer and will be injected ones maturity takes place.

Step Three: Fertilization

The injected eggs are observed after about 18 hours of injection for a sign of fertilization. The embryologist will check progress of the fertilized eggs to embryos, day-by-day until the preferred transfer date.

Step Four: Embryo Transfer

VALPI is equipped to culture embryos depending on the day of transfer (day 2, 3, 4, Blastocyst stage)

Any remaining embryos can be frozen for future use.

Step Five: After Transfer

We encourage our patients to limit physical activities for 24 to 72 hours post embryo transfer. Non- strenuous and non-aerobic activities. Sexual intercourse must be avoided for a week. Any sign of bleeding, bloating and abdominal cramps must be consulted to your specialists.

The male partner is requested to collect a fresh sample on the oocyte retrieval day.

In an event that the husband is not capable to produce a fresh sample, the semen sample that was frozen as back-up will be used for the ICSI/IVF process.

For male partners with zero sperm count, a surgically retrieved sperm is used (TESE, TESA, MESA, PESA). This procedure should take place prior to stimulation day.

eBooks

 

Questions to ask in IVF Guide

Questions to Ask Your Sperm Bank

Pre-Pregnancy Considerations Download

The predictive value of serum concentrations of anti-Müllerian hormone for oocyte quality, fertilization, and implantation

IVF couples advised to avoid products with flame retardants as study finds link with infertility

Infographics

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Through the help of our referring doctors and surgeons, Victory offers free counseling for infertile couples, as well as patients in the pre and post- treatment stage.

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