Embarking on fertility treatment can be stressful because of the uncertainty involved. And while medical professionals will be happy to answer any questions you may have, there are some things we know you may be worried about.
If you are going to start a treatment that requires stimulation and oocyte puncture (In Vitro Fertilization, ROPA method, PGD, fertility preservation) you will know that in the process you will have to administer medication through injections and undergo an egg extraction procedure. These techniques may cause you doubts or even worry you. Don’t worry, we are going to answer the most common questions.
How long does an IVF cycle last?
Most IVF cycles end in about two weeks. And during those two weeks, there are four or five visits to the clinic in total. One to prescribe medication, two or three for ultrasound checks, and finally the puncture to extract the eggs. Each check-up visit lasts about 15 minutes. To this you have to add the last one, which will be the appointment for the embryo transfer.
I am concerned about medication needles
Most IVF medication is administered via subcutaneous injection, but this is very easy to do and is barely noticeable. It is a far cry from the intramuscular injections that were once required. Our nursing staff will teach you how to administer it and you will find it to be a simple and safe procedure.
If you have any questions about how to administer your medication, al final de este vídeo te enseñamos cómo debes realizar el pinchazo.
Does the medication cause depression or irritation?
The medication contains a significant hormonal load. It may have some effect on mood, but in most cases there is no alteration. It is very rare to experience hot flashes, emotional changes or bad mood.
The only thing that some patients usually report is, on a physical level, a slight sensation of abdominal swelling, but it is very bearable.
Is oocyte puncture painful?
The egg retrieval procedure is generally very well tolerated. Intravenous sedation is administered, which most patients find pleasant. The patient is asleep throughout the procedure, which lasts about 15 minutes, and does not feel any pain at any time.
Long-acting medications are also administered to prevent any pain during the day. Typically, the patient leaves the clinic one hour after the puncture and feels well enough to resume their normal routine the following day.
¿Qué apoyo médico tendré durante el tratamiento?
At iGin we have a complete team of gynecologists and nurses specialized in reproduction at the disposal of each woman, always available by phone or email to answer any questions. We are here to ensure not only that each treatment ends with the desired pregnancy, but that the process is as comfortable, simple and pleasant as possible for our patients.