When couples decide to try a fertility treatment, they normally try to get help at a clinic nearby. But sadly sometimes that is not possible because of the different countries and their respective legislations. Not every couple has the same possibilities at the same clinics, sometimes depending on every case, the fertility journey takes patients to clinics abroad. This can be very difficult decision, due to the challenges that a procedure abroad could involve. Before you decide where and when to go to make your dream of parenthood come true, here we present some the Frequently Asked Questions from patients all over the world and answered by IVF-Spain:

1. Who is IVF Suitable For?

There are many different in vitro fertilisation treatments, depending on many factors and the situation of each patient. The most common cases are:

• Patients with irregular periods.
• Patients with male infertility.
• Patients with fallopian tube conditions.
• Patients who have tried artificial insemination on several occasions without success.
• Patients who risk transmitting genetic or chromosomal abnormalities to their children.

2. How long Should I Wait before Consulting a Fertility Doctor?

Normally couples try to get pregnant for a year before they consult an IVF clinic. After one year trying, normally 90% of the couples get pregnant, given the chance of getting pregnant any moment, is around 20 %.

The recommendation for woman over 30 is to consult a specialist after trying for six months and for woman over 40 to go to a specialist soon after deciding to try to get pregnant. That way complications and difficulties can be avoided.

3. Is there a weight limit or BMI (Body Mass Index) for IVF?

Not every case is the same, so this question should always be discussed with a doctor. But the general recommendation at IVF-Spain is a BMI lower than 30.

3. Is it OK to travel after Embryo Transfer?

After the embryo transfer the patient can return home, because travelling does not affect the treatment, implantation chances or the pregnancy. The patient can travel home by car, train or plane without any problems.

3. What Happens if The Pregnancy Test is Negative?

In case of a negative test result, the patient should immediately contact the clinic. The personal assistant, who supports the patients during the whole process, will give new instructions regarding medication. Soon after, the case will be analysed by our Medical Team and our Fertility Specialistswill decide which treatment option is the best to help the patient move on to the next stage.

Questions about Egg Donation Treatment

3. Is There A Waiting List For Donors? Where Do The Donors Come From?

No, there isn’t any waiting list for donor treatment. Donors included in our Egg Donation Programme between 18 and 30 years old. Alicante is a multicultural city with two large Universities, with more than 40, 000 local and Erasmus students. So our donor egg bank is full of different physical characteristics and phenotypes, which makes it even easier to find the perfect match for each patient.

3. How Does The Clinic Find Your Perfect Match?

In Spain Oocyte donation is anonymous. During the first visit with your Fertility Specialist you will complete some paperwork and review information about your physical characteristics. The team of doctors is responsible for finding the best match for you. IVF-Spain has a donor bank with more than 500 donors with a wide variety of phenotypes. Normally between three and five donors may meet your specific requirements.

3. How are Egg Donors Screened?

Before a woman is accepted in our Egg Donation Programme she has to undergo extensive medical and psychological screening, which different of tests: blood tests and drug tests, and genetic screening tests. The donors will be also doing physical, gynaecological and psychological exams. So only completely healthy woman with no genetically transmittable diseases can be donors.

3. What Kind of Information Will I Receive About the Donor?

In Spain, Egg Donation is completely anonymous. Neither the donor nor the intended parents and their child(ren) are given any identifiable information on one another. The only information allowed to be disclosed is the age of the donor and the donor’s blood group, once week 12^th is reached and after the birth.

3. How Old Are the Donors?

In Spain, donors can be between 18 and 35 years old. But at IVF-Spain our donors are under the age of 30. This ensures that we obtain only good quality eggs.

3. How Long Does an Oocyte Donation Treatment Take?

From the initial visit to the embryo transfer it can take from six to eight weeks. But the exact duration will always depend on the individual treatment plan of each patient.

3. How many eggs are guaranteed a IVF-Spain?

IVF-Spain does not guarantee eggs but embryos, either Day 3 or Day 5 (blastocyst), depending on the treatment of choice. So basically this involves guaranteeing that Embryo Transfer will definitely take place. But it is important to bear in mind that guaranteeing oocytes, independently of the number, does not guarantee fertilisation. This is something very important to know, before starting a treatment.

3. Is There an Age Limit for Egg Donation Treatment?

At IVF-Spain the age limit normally is 49 years, but each case is reviewed individually by medical decision taken by the team at the clinic.

At the website of IVF-Spain you can find more answered questions in their FAQs section, you can also see some patient testimonials and information about interesting treatments and techniques.