Fertility FAQs

Here are some frequently asked questions about Fertility. Kindly go through them. If you want further assistance, kindly contact us using any of our communication channel.

The number of embryos transferred is crucial to your risk of a triplet pregnancy or higher. In Ghana there are no restrictions or regulations with regard the number of embryos to be transferred. Recently, there has been a drive toward single embryo transfer (SET). It is the policy of the Assited Conception Unit at Finney Hospital to transfer a maximum of 3 embryos. This however depends on individual circumstances. In order to improve the effectiveness of SET, selecting the embryo with the highest potential for implantation is important.

Although a baby is priceless, you must be aware of the cost involved and you need to decide whether you can afford it. The cost of IVF treatment varies between different clinics

You need not only consider the money you will be spending in pursuing the treatment but also the time and energy you will need to invest as well, including loss of earnings, traveling and accomodation.

• The Presence of hydrosalpinges: There is increasing evidence that the presence of hydrosalpinges adversely affects the live birth rates of women undergoing IVF treatment. The mechanism for reduced implantation in women with hydrosalpinges is not fully understood but it is possible that the leakage of the fluid from the tube into the womb wash off the embryos, or the fluid itself could have toxic effects on the embryos. Most specialists offer surgical treatment for hydrosalpinges before IVF treatment. The treatment usually inviolves removal of the tube (salpingectomy) preferably by laparoscope. An alternative is to occlude the tube at its uterine end again by laparoscopy or aspiration of the fluid from the tube.
• Basal FSH and LH levels (ovarian reserve): Woman with a base FSH level of 12 or more IU/L or FSH/LH ratio more than 3 or women with an Inhibin level less than 80 pg/ml are unlikely to respond adequately to ovarian stimulation.
• Uterine Fibroid: Fibroid that compress the cavity of the womb significantly reduce live birth rate
• Lifestye: Obese women take longer to conceive and are at higher risk of miscarriage than normal weight women. 
• Smoking reduce implantation and pregnancy rates .Smoking also adversely affects live birth rates equivalent to increased female age by 10 year.
• Blastocyst embryo transfer: The first IVF human pregnancy was achieved by blastocyst transfer. Blastocyst transfer is claimed to be more physiological than pronucleate or cleaved-embryo transfer is as it mimics nature more closely. As the embryo advances in the development, after 5-6 days it becomes a blastocyst. This has an outer thin layer of cells which will later form the placenta, and an inner cell mass which will develop into the fetus. A blastocyst has about 120 cells. A blastocyst gives a better idea of the competence of an embryo and has a higher chance of implantation than a cleaved embryo. In conventional culture medium, about 20% of embryos will develop into blastocysts. Recently, the use of sequential culture medium (the embryos are cultured in different media according to their stage of growth) has enabled a larger number of embryos to develop into blastocysts. However, up to 40% of patients will not grow blastocysts and will not have blastocyst embryo transfer The rational behind a blastocyst transfer is that an embryo which has failed to reach the blastocyst stage, would be unlikely to have resulted in a pregnancy. However, if it reaches the blastocyst stage it has about 50% chance of implanting. So the improved implantation rates following blastocyst transfer is due to selection of the best embryos

A defective blastocyst (e.g. chromosomal abnormalities) is a possible cause; a non-receptive endometrium is another cause. Blastocyst embryo transfer into the uterine cavity is performed about 5-6 days after egg collection. Transfer of one or two blastocysts is recommended to avoid high-order multiple pregnancies. Supernumery blastocysts can be frozen for future use.

• Take it easy for a few days, avoid any strenuous exercise such as aerobics and jogging.
• Avoid douching, tampons and swimming in order to avoid undue contamination of the vagina.
• Avoid unnecessary exposure to solvents and paints containing lead.
• Avoid carrying or lifting heavy objects.
• You should eat sensible and healthy diet, avoid consumption of excess alcohol,
• Stop smoking.
• Continue taking folic acid tablet.
• Refrain from taking medication or drugs that are not necessary, and only after checking with your doctor. .
• Avoid intercourse for two weeks.
• Do not stop luteal phase support until you have both a negative pregnancy test and a period