Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) – when undergoing treatment using donor gametes

Ovarian cancer occurs in approximately one in 90 women in the general community and is more common in women who have not had children. Breast cancer occurs in one in 11 women, again being more common in those who have not had children. The variety of medical and surgical treatments, including the drugs used in Assisted Reproductive Technology (ART), may have unknown long-term effects. Australian cancer registers show no increase in breast or ovarian cancer since IVF treatments began.

Usually yes. However, inform your specialist who is prescribing the medication. You may be pregnant and need to ensure that the medications are safe in early pregnancy. Please inform us about all prescription and over-the-counter medications you are taking prior to and during your treatment cycle.

If you notice bleeding in the two weeks after the embryo transfer, continue with your progesterone until the bleeding becomes heavy or a pregnancy test confirms a negative result.

Unfortunately no. It must be removed either medically or by surgery.

It is rare, but if detected early it may be possible to remove an ectopic pregnancy without disturbing the pregnancy in the uterus.

Yes, until the day of hCG or trigger injection. If your Synarel runs out close to the end of the stimulation phase, speak with your fertility nurse before purchasing more medication, and remember to record each spray.

Paracetamol is the best option for pain relief. Check with your fertility doctor if pain relief is required.

It is recommended that you have a review of your cycle with your specialist after each cycle. It is often advised that you have a month’s break between cycles; however, your fertility doctor will determine what is best for you.

Always advise your fertility doctor exactly what medications/supplements you are taking as sometimes the effects of these are unknown when combined with IVF medication.

Be assured that your fertility nurse will give you full instructions on the use of your medication and ensure that you are comfortable with self-injection. The needles used are very fine and should only cause minor discomfort.

This depends on your individual cycle and your specialist’s requirements; however, the average would be two to three scans per cycle.

It is recommended that you have only protected intercourse (if applicable) during your cycle.

It is recommended that any exercise you do during your cycle should be light and low impact, especially after your embryo transfer.

You will need the full day off work for your EPU as this is a surgical procedure. However, your other appointments should require only minimal time off work.

Success rates vary greatly between individuals so please discuss your chance of pregnancy with your fertility doctor.

You can collect your medications from the clinic or a nominated pharmacy before the cycle starts. You will be given specific details about the collection of medications from your IVF nurse coordinator.

It really doesn’t matter what time of day, as long as it is at the same time each day.

This is usually no problem at all. Please phone City Fertility at 8:00am on the next business day to arrange your medication collection appointment.

There are a few options for excess frozen embryos. They can be disposed of, donated to another infertile person or donated to City Fertility for training purposes.