Common Infertility Questions

What is infertility?

Infertility is defined as the inability to conceive or carry a pregnancy to term after 12 months of trying to conceive. If you are over the age of 35, the time of trying to conceive is reduced to 6 months. It is important to see a Reproductive medicine specialist or your OB/Gyn for a complete fertility work-up and diagnosis.

Do you need to see a Reproductive medicine specialist?

According to the American Society for Reproductive Medicine, you should seek the care of a specialist if you are unable to achieve pregnancy after 12 months of unprotected intercourse and the women is under the age of 35, six months if the women is more than 35 years of age.

  • You should also seek the care of a specialist if you have had more than one miscarriage.
  • If you have Painful Periods.
  • Irregular Periods.
  • Partner/you have a history of STDs.
  • ParUnhealthy Body Mass Index (BMI). (underweight or overweight)
  • Had more than one Miscarriages.
What will be the protocol once you plan to visit a us ?

Once you plan to visit us you can give us a call and fix an appointment for a smooth hasselfree consultation.on your visit to the hospital we need to see both you and your partner together if possible.A detailed history including presenting complaints,past illness,medical,surgical history,details of previous pregnancies if any will be taken by one of the junior staff followed by general examination and systemic examination along with consultation by Dr Shweta Kaul Jha.According to your condition you will be advised some investigations and asked to follow up with reports for planning further line of treatment.

How much time will it take at first visit?

If you have taken prior appointment then we try to see you at the given time until and unless some unforeseen condition happens.New patient historytaking and examination along with planning line of treatment can take around 45 minutes to 1 hour.

What are the tests which will be done?

Female partners checklist-

  • Hb/cbc
  • ABORh
  • TSH/T3/T4
  • PRL

Day 2 or 3-FSH,LH,E2

  • AMH
  • HIV,VDRL,Anti HBC,HBsAG
  • Rubella IgG
  • Paps smear,Vaginal swab
  • Urine routine/culture
  • Whole abdomen ultrasonography

Male partner to do list-

  • Hb/CBC
  • ABORh
  • RBS
  • HIV
  • HBsAg
  • Anti HCV
  • VDRL
  • Semen Analysis
  • Semen Culture and sensitivity

Other Specialised tests are prescribed according to your and your partners medical condition.

Do I need to come fasting on first visit?

NO. First visit entails detailed history taking of both the partners so is time-consuming, so we do not recommend you to come fasting. If any investigation requires fasting status it can be done on subsequent visit.

Whom do I have to contact in case of emergency?

Our hospital works 24×7 and some or the other doctor is always available at casuality in case of emergency.So if you need to rush for any unforeseen mishap straightaway report at casuality and doctor on duty will start basic workup along with communicating with your treating physicians.

I have been asked for Semen Examination what am I suppose to do?

Semen examination is a basic test that will help us assess your (male partners)fertility potential and decide further management.You should have had undergone basic history and physical examination(if indicated) and blood workup especially Viral screening for HIV,HBsAG ,VDRL and AntiHBC and visit us with all the reports.Absteinance of 2 to 6 days is advised .We have a specially designed room to aid you in collection and in case of any further querries you can contact our Andrologist after prior appointment.

I have been diagnosed with tubal blockage. Will I be able to conceive again?

If your tubal blockage was diagnosed on HSG then it might be due to spasm and needs to be confirmed on Hysterolaparoscoy .If still block is there which is incorrectable despite cannulation then there is an indication to do IVF test tube baby.

My husband doesnt have sperms in his semen? Can we have our own child?

This condition is called Azoospermia and to confirm whether it is due to some obstruction in the pathway few test would be done .If it is obstructive you can have your own child.

I have been diagnosed with Fibroid in uterus. Can I become pregnant?

Just the mere presence of fibroid does not nullify your pregnancy chances.It is important to know the size,site and number of fibroids.Only in indicated case surgery should be done to avoid unnecessary complicartions.

I have been diagnosed with endometiomas again though I had an operation few years back. .Do I need to undergo surgery again?

Well since you have ones gone through the surgery,attempting a second surgery on you needs judicious evaluation of pros and cons and if there is an indication for ivf then surgery might be totally avoided as well.

I have been asked to undergo IUI.IS it painful?Do I need to take rest after IUI?

Intra Uterine Insemination (IUI) is process whereby sperms are artificially placed in the uterus with the help of a catheter. This procedure helps to ensure that more sperms are available and able to access a woman’s egg, thereby aiding fertilization and conception.It is as painful as routine gynaecological examination.You can carry out your routine work after IUI.

What is my chance of pregnancy after IUI? How many I can do before going for IVF?

At our centre we do IUI with ovulation stimulation (Gonadotrophins) and avg 15 to 20 % chance of pregnancy in one cycle in properly selected patients.Success increases upto 4 cycles so 3 to 6 cycles is recommended depending on various factors.

What is IVF? What is your success rates?

In vitro fertilisation (IVF) is a process by which egg cells are fertilised by sperm outside the body, in vitro. IVF is a major treatment in infertility when other methods of assisted reproductive technology have failed.Our success rates are at par with international standards and 40 to 42 % chance in one cycle.It increase cumulatively upto 4 cycles.

What is ICSI? Is it better than IVF?Sucess rates?

ICSI is an in vitro fertilization procedure in which a single sperm is injected directly into an egg and is used when sperm count,motility or morphology is inadequate.In indicated case it is better than ivf.Sucess ranges 40 -45 % of pregnancy in single cycle.

I have had two abortion. Do I need IVF?

NO not necessarily.Abortion can be due to many factors ranging from genetic/immunological/anatomical/thyroid/endocrinological etc.So you need a basic workup to find out the cause and if its correctable then you might conceive on your own without any aid too!

I had tubal sterilization operation. Can I ever conceive again?

YES. Tubal recanalisation can be done after considering your age/type of operation/male factor etc or IVF testtube baby can be done to surpass the tube itself.

I had tubal sterilization operation. Can I ever conceive again?

YES. Tubal recanalisation can be done after considering your age/type of operation/male factor etc or IVF testtube baby can be done to surpass the tube itself.

I have seen few clinics claiming 100% money back /Shared Risk /Money back Guarantee programmes.How is it possible to refund 100 % money is there no cost involved in medicines and procedure?

Well, it is our mission and vision to help each and every couple who comes to us to fulfil their desire to achieve pregnancy and take home a healthy baby.