Fertility

11th August 2022

FAQ – Frequently Asked Questions

For a detailed list of Frequently Asked Questions on Fertility issues, Fertility treatment, the process, timeline and much more

Click here to view our FAQ

where you will get many of your questions answered before you pick up the phone. Included are questions like:

Q: Why would you choose a Couple One Stop Assessment over a New Consultation and what is the difference between the two?

A: If you have never had any fertility tests/assessments done and you don’t know if you need fertility treatment, then a Couple One Stop will give you information on whether there is an issue as to why you’re struggling to conceive naturally. If you have already had various fertility tests done and know you need fertility treatment, then a new consultation would be the best option for you. A Couple One Stop would include all tests covered in the Female One Stop + a semen analysis for men.

Q: What is the difference between a Female Mini and a Female One Stop Fertility Assessment?

A: A Female Mini Fertility is split into a two-part appointment and includes:

First appointment, 30 minutes in the clinic, includes:

• Anti-Mullerian Hormone (AMH) blood test to check your ovarian reserve

Second appointment (this is booked by the nurse during your first appointment as it will be booked at a specific time of your cycle):

• Ultrasound scan with Antral Follicle Count (AFC) and a 15-minute consultation with a fertility consultant to discuss your results.

A Female One Stop Fertility Assessment package is split into a two-part appointment and includes:

First appointment, 30 minutes in the clinic, includes:

• Anti-Mullerian Hormone (AMH)  to assess your ovarian reserve/inherent fertility
• Rubella – to check if you are immune to Rubella, as the disease affects an unborn child
• Full blood count – to assess your general wellbeing and rule out anaemia
• Urine test for chlamydia and gonorrhoea – easily curable sexually transmitted diseases

Second appointment (This is booked by the nurse during your first appointment as it will be booked at a specific time of your cycle) – Internal Ultrasound scan which includes:

• A detailed 3D Saline Infusion Sonogram (SIS) to assess the uterus
• Antral Follicle Count (AFC) to determine your egg reserve. This together with your AMH will give you an accurate measure of ovarian reserve.
• HyCoSy procedure to check that your fallopian tubes are open.
• We will discuss all your results during a mini-consultation at this appointment.

Q: What is the process for starting treatment?

A: The step-by-step process includes:

1. Call the clinic directly to book your New Consultation at 01992-785060.
2. Pre-assessment – Initially, you will need a pre-assessment appointment with the nurse. At this appointment, we will check your BMI (Body Mass Index) and do a blood test to check your AMH Level (Anti-Mullerian Hormone). The AMH blood test checks your ovarian reserve and can be done at any time in your cycle. A semen analysis will be done for all men.
3. New Consultation – Once we have performed these initial tests you will then see one of our consultants remotely via Microsoft Teams approx. one week later, to discuss your results and create a treatment plan going forward.
4. TIA – If the consultant has recommended fertility treatment, you will then see one of our fertility specialist nurses for an online Treatment Information Appointment (TIA) via Microsoft Teams. During this appointment, you will need to sign all your consent forms for the type of treatment you are having and plan your cycle of treatment from start to finish.

Q: How long does the process take from the beginning to the end of a treatment cycle?

A: It takes approximately two to three months from start to finish. A short protocol will take around four weeks in total from starting medication to the pregnancy test result.  See a typical timeline for IVF with ICSI: https://hertsandessexfertility.com/treatments/treatment-journey/

Q: What is your BMI limit for treatment?

A: When someone is providing eggs for IVF, we have a BMI limit of 34 for any patients (male or female) requiring sedation when undergoing egg collection, embryo transfer or surgical sperm retrieval. Ideally, you want to be below 34 at the start of stimulation as it is common to gain some weight during a treatment cycle.

We do not have a BMI limit for IUI. For egg recipients and IUI patients, we advise getting their BMI ideally below 40 to minimise risks of diabetes and hypertensive disorders during pregnancy. However, as there is no anaesthetic involved in treatment, patients can have IUI as long as they have been informed to lose weight (unlike IVF when they strictly have to lose weight otherwise we will not collect eggs.)

Q: What is your age limit for undergoing fertility treatment?

A: We can treat patients with their own eggs up until their 46^th birthday and with donated eggs up until their 51^st birthday.

Eggs can be donated anonymously up until their 36^th birthday and sperm can be donated anonymously up until their 46^th birthday – as per HFEA guidelines.

Q: What is the difference between IUI, IVF, ICSI and PICSI and why would you choose one over the other?

A:  With IUI, sperm is introduced into the womb through a small procedure at the time of the cycle when the woman is ovulating and then the egg is released naturally from the woman with the hope that the sperm and egg will meet and form an embryo.

With IVF the person providing eggs has to take medication to grow several follicles, the eggs are removed from the body during an egg collection procedure and then fertilised with the sperm in the laboratory. The fertilised egg and sperm then form an embryo which is placed back into the womb a few days later. For a same-sex female couple where the lady has normal fertility levels and patent fallopian tubes, it may be an option to try IUI first as it is less invasive and less expensive.

ICSI is a specific method used in the laboratory to fertilise eggs. Unlike standard IVF, where the sperm and eggs are mixed together to allow the sperm to fertilise the eggs, in ICSI an individual sperm is injected directly into each suitable egg. ICSI is recommended to patients based on their medical history and test results and will be discussed with you at your new consultation appointment with a doctor.

PICSI is a very similar process to ICSI. There is an additional sperm election method which is used to choose sperm which are most likely to be mature. As with ICSI this is recommended based on your medical history and test results and will be discussed with you at your new consultation appointment with a doctor.

Q: How much does one cycle of fertility treatment cost on average?

A: Costs are approximate numbers only and may vary on a case-by-case basis depending on personal circumstances and individual medical needs. These costs do not include medication.

For detailed information on costs please see our price list: https://hertsandessexfertility.com/price-list/