The IVF process

What to expect – clearly, step by step and without worry

1

First contact and introduction

You can schedule an introductory non-binding consultation by phone ( with our coordinator’s phone number 549 523 258 or 731 416 420) by email ( koordinatorka@sanatoriumhelios.cz ) or through the contact form on our website.

2

Introductory consultation and examination

We offer comprehensive initial examinations that are all free of charge, including the consultation, or covered by health insurance companies. For the most effective use of your time we recommend both partners visiting and doing a semen analysis an hour before the consultation with an IVF specialist. The specialist will have the preliminary information about the count and motility of the sperm on your first visit. At the same time, we can draw a female partner’s blood for tests (hormonal profile, immunology examination, genetic examination).

Basic semen analysis and functional sperm tests – information mainly about concentration, motility and shape ( morphology) of the sperm. A sperm DNA integrity test, which provides you with information about genetic information quality inside sperm.

Determination of the hormonal profile – comprehensive examination of hormones, including AMH, that helps determine egg reserve in the ovaries ( ovarian reserve).

Immunology examination – Presence of antibodies, cell-mediated immunity, celiac disease, zoonoses, NK cells etc.

Genetic consultation and genetic testing – genetic testing for men and women- karyotype, that provides overview of genetic equipment in terms of chromosomes. Or as the case may be other examinations recommended by clinical geneticist (e.g. thrombophilic mutations, congenital coagulation disorder, cystic fibrosis, SMA). Results of these examinations are available within 4-6 weeks.

3

Results of the examinations and treatment plan

Additional consultations can be done within a week depending on your availability. You will discuss your results of previous examinations with a doctor and get a detailed explanation. If there is an obvious cause of infertility found and you decide not to wait anymore, you will schedule an optimal treatment plan with the doctor and we will go through this journey together (you will start treatment or hormonal stimulation).

4

Treatment: Hormonal stimulation

According to the results of the hormonal profile, the AMH level and the woman’s age, we choose an appropriate stimulation protocol and an appropriate combination of stimulation medication.

The stimulation cycle, or the application of stimulating preparations usually starts on the first day of the cycle. It is important to observe the stimulation course, do ultrasound examinations and tests from samples of the hormonal profile on a regular basis and change the dose of the hormonal preparations based on the results. We can also schedule external check-ups in the place of your residence and consecutive evaluation by our doctor. This way, we will try to make the process easier for you.

5

Eggs and sperm sampling

Stimulation takes at least 11 to 12 days, egg retrieval can be done on the 13th or 14th day earlies. If needed, for example of uneven or slow growth of follicles, the stimulation has to be prolonged.

The sperm sampling is done in the morning of the same day as the egg sampling. The sperm sampling can be performed outside of our clinic but for that it is required to pick up a sterile container in the lab and observe the rules of transfer. Sperm can also be used if it was frozen beforehand.

6

Embryo transfer

If we perform the transfer of a fresh embryo into the uterus, it can be done on the 5th or 6th day after the egg retrieval, meaning the 5th or 6th day of the embryo culture.

We don’t recommend transferring a fresh embryo in the stimulated cycle to our patients. If possible, it is our effort to freeze all high-quality embryos and do the transfer of the thawed embryo in the following cycle. Because we support transfering the embryo in a natural cycle, all that we have to do before is take blood samples to find the progesterone levels and an ultrasound examination of the endometrium connected to the potential application of the endometrium’s quality improving preparation SANAKIN.

7

Pregnancy test

For the pregnancy confirmation you can do a pregnancy test from your urine or come to our clinic for a blood test. We will adjust your medication and plan the next steps based on the results.

Assisted reproduction methods

Intrauterine insemination (IUI)

This method is appropriate in case of the semen analysis of a man being in the norm and the PCT test being positive. Insemination can also be performed with donated sperm.

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IVF with own eggs

In vitro egg fertilization, that is then in the blastocyst stage, is transferred into the woman’s uterus during the transfer of the embryo.

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IVF with donated eggs/sperm

In vitro fertilization of the donated egg (or sperm fertilization from the donor) that is then in the embryo-blastocysts state is transferred into the woman’s uterus during the transfer of the embryo.

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IVF with donated embryo

In vitro fertilization with the donated eggs and sperm, the created embryo is then transferred into the woman’s uterus during the transfer of the embryo.

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Most frequent questions about the IVF process

1. How much does the consultation and initial examination cost?

All consultations, personal and phone are free at the Helios Sanatorium. During the treatment you have the option to consult your questions with doctors, embryologists, andrologists and coordinators at any time.
Initial examination of the man – semen analysis – is also free. The DNA integrity test in sperm, which provides you with important information about your genetic sperm equipment costs 3500 CZK.
Initial examination of the woman is, not including the AMH, for patients 40 years old and younger. covered by health insurance

2. What is the indication to undergo IVF?

– unsuccessful attempts of pregnancy at least 6 months
– any pathology in the semen analysis
– repeated miscarriages
– low AMH, high FSH, hormonal disbalance(PCO)
– endometriosis, blockage or absence of Fallopian tube, uterus defect
– the age of both the woman and the man
– genetic strain
– HIV

3. How many times during the treatment do I have to visit the Helios Sanatorium?

We recommend the first consultation to be face to face. During this visit you can also undergo entry diagnosis tests. On the second consultation you will get the results back and we will create your treatment plan. It is also possible to pick up the stimulation preparations and begin with the stimulation when the time is right. During the hormonal stimulation it is necessary to observe its process and adjust the dose of the hormonal preparations accordingly. Expect about three check-ups. Check-ups during the stimulation can be done partly externally- in the place of your residence. The last visit is connected to the egg sampling (in general anesthesia) and the sperm sampling on the purpose of egg fertilization.

4. What will the entry examinations reveal?

Doing the whole semen analysis including the sperm functioning tests has a high validity about the couple’s fertility and the chance of successful pregnancy. Nowadays, circa 90% of men that come to us after a failed attempt of natural pregnancy have at least one parameter lower than the norm.
AMH is a hormone indicating the egg supply in the ovary. The lower its value, the lower the supply of eggs. FSH is a hormone indicating function of the ovary. The higher the value, the less functioning the ovary and natural ovulation does not happen as often as it should.

5. Why do I need to use hormones?

Hormones, which you will apply during the treatment cycle, are natural for your body.
The FSH hormone is produced during the cycle and causes the maturation and ovulation of one dominant follicle. Short-term increase of the FSH level helps with growth and ripening of all the follicles that would normally digenerate. Thanks to that, we can take a higher number of eggs and cultivate a higher number of embryos. To make it easy, we effectively use one cycle to do what would naturally take more than a year.