IVF treatment can be one of the biggest decisions you'll ever make, so it's only natural that you'll have a lot of questions. When you're ready for IVF, you'll have more peace of mind, knowing you can make better decisions in the future. Before beginning your IVF treatment, it’s important to ask your fertility specialist these 5 questions:
Ask your doctor what IVF is and how it works. IVF procedures vary from hospital to hospital, but the basics of IVF are the same. They include ovarian stimulation, egg retrieval, fertilization, embryo development, embryo transfer, and blood tests to see if your IVF cycle was successful. Additionally, inquire about the process and benefits of egg freezing as a part of your fertility preservation options.
Some fertility hospitals publish their success rate data online, while others may require a bit more research. You may already have an idea of a hospital’s success rate data before your first consultation, but it’s a good idea to ask your doctor about success rates based on your age and diagnosis.
Before starting any fertility treatment, you'll usually have a battery of tests to check your ovarian reserve, your fallopian tube and uterus health, your hormone levels, and any other factors that could be affecting your fertility. For example, Ashakiran Hospital, a renowned fertility hospital in Pune, conducts comprehensive tests to ensure you are a suitable candidate for IVF.
Making specific dietary and lifestyle adjustments before starting treatment can increase your chances of success. These alterations are designed to enhance your overall wellbeing, enhance fertility, and prepare your body for an IVF procedure. Fertility centres often provide guidelines on these changes to optimise your health before treatment.
During your diagnostic tests and after your first IVF cycle, you’ll likely need to visit your IVF Centre more often. Ask about your centre’s monitoring plan and where your appointments will take place (some centres have multiple locations with different capabilities). Frequent visits are crucial to monitor your progress and make any necessary adjustments to your treatment plan.