Frequently asked questions

Assisted reproductive technology (ART) refers to treatments used to help people achieve pregnancy. Depending on the cause of infertility, procedures such as in vitro fertilization, intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI), cryopreservation of gametes or embryos, and surrogacy may be suggested.

In vitro fertilization (IVF) is a therapeutic protocol of assisted reproductive technology (ART) for couples experiencing infertility. IVF is usually attempted after natural methods and other methods such as intrauterine insemination (IUI) have failed. During IVF, eggs are extracted from the woman, which are fertilized by sperm outside the body and cultured in a medium that mimics the uterus. The fertilized eggs, or zygotes, are transferred back to the intended mother several days later. During a normal monthly cycle, a woman releases 1 or 2 eggs at ovulation, usually between days 12 and 14 of the cycle. During an IVF cycle, the woman receives medication to create more eggs and increase the chances of pregnancy.

The IVF and embryo transfer process basically consists of five steps: - Stimulation and monitoring of the ovaries; - Ovarian aspiration and egg collection; - Sperm collection; - Insemination; - Embryo transfer;

The success rate of IVF depends on several factors, the most important of which is the woman's age. It is also important to know whether a clinic refers to a pregnancy rate confirmed by a Beta HCG test or a live birth rate. In the US, live birth rates are usually discussed. According to the Society for Assisted Reproductive Technology (SART), the average live birth rate in the US is: - 40% for women under 35 years old - 38% for women aged 35 to 37 years - 29% for women aged 38 to 40 years - 19% for women aged 40 to 42 years - 9% for women over 42 years old

If a woman's eggs are not viable for IVF, she can choose to work with donor eggs, that is, eggs from a third party that are transferred to the intended mother's uterus. Success rates with donor eggs can be significantly higher than with one's own eggs, as success rates are almost entirely linked to the age of the eggs used.

IVF can certainly be a hormonal roller coaster. In addition to natural mood changes induced by artificial hormones, abdominal bloating is common and it is normal to feel some discomfort after follicular aspiration. Therefore, it is important to modify activity during the later phases of the cycle.

ICSI involves the direct injection of a single sperm into each egg to achieve fertilization.

Surrogacy is a form of ART in which a woman (the surrogate mother) carries a child for another person or couple, with the intention of giving it to that person or couple after birth.

Yes, we work with single parents, same-sex couples, and heterosexual couples.

We understand that choosing an egg donor is one of the most difficult decisions that prospective parents have to make, which is why we offer a wide variety of egg donors that you can find in our egg donor catalog. Once you find the profile you like best, our staff will help you make the selection.