PREPARING FOR IVF PROCEDURES

Your IVF treatment process will be planned starting from the first day of your menstrual period. If you wake up menstruating in the morning, that day is considered the 1st day of your period; if your menstrual bleeding starts in the afternoon, the following day is considered the 1st day.

On the 2nd or 3rd day of menstruation, you should schedule an appointment and come to the clinic. During this examination, an ultrasound called “basal ultrasound” will be performed on your ovaries. Basal ultrasound checks the condition of the ovaries. If necessary and not done previously, blood will be drawn from you for some blood tests.

The ultrasound scan is performed with an ultrasound probe inserted into the vagina. Your bladder should be empty for your doctor to see your ovaries and the ovarian cells growing inside them as best as possible.

Your doctor will inform you about the plan for the IVF process, including when ovarian retrieval and embryo transfer into the uterus will occur, and the dates for these procedures.

The names and doses of the medications you will use during the treatment will be explained to you in detail by our nursing staff and provided to you in a list format.

Blood Tests and Imaging

We will inform you about when to start medication, when to have your first blood test, and when your first ultrasound will take place.

Based on the results of blood tests and ultrasound imaging, you will be thoroughly informed about approximately when the ovarian retrieval procedure will be performed once your ovarian cells have reached adequate size.

Your next steps will be planned and explained to you each day you have blood tests or ultrasounds done.

If you have any questions about medication use or the process, you can call +90530 542 77 24 for information.

If only one or two ovarian cells develop during your monitoring appointments or if hormone levels are found to be low in blood tests, it may be better to reconsider the treatment by using more medication or taking a break and trying again later. Similarly, sometimes ovaries may be paused in treatment because they are overly stimulated. Before making any decisions, we discuss options with you and strive to work collaboratively. While discontinuing treatment in such situations may be disappointing, it benefits us in planning future treatment schemes.

Ovarian Retrieval

After your ovaries have been grown with the IVF medications mentioned earlier, final maturation is achieved with an injection of the hormone hCG. The hCG injection is administered 36 hours before the planned ovarian retrieval procedure. We can tell you exactly when we will perform the ovarian retrieval procedure once we administer this injection.

We kindly ask you to come to the clinic 30 minutes before ovarian retrieval.

You will likely be at the clinic for 2-3 hours.

We recommend bringing someone to support you, such as your partner or a friend. If you wish, you can bring your favorite relaxing music to help calm you.

Do not eat anything for six hours and do not drink anything two hours before ovarian retrieval.

The medications used during ovarian retrieval may affect your ability to drive safely, so you should plan your transportation home accordingly.

We do not recommend engaging in activities that require attention for 24 hours after the ovarian retrieval procedure. Someone should take you home, and they should stay with you for 24 hours after the procedure.

You may experience vaginal bleeding after the ovarian retrieval procedure. If bleeding is heavy or lasts longer than one day, you must contact us. Mild cramping abdominal pain is frequently observed within the first 24 hours. In such cases, you can use the pain relievers we prescribe for you. If you experience severe abdominal pain, you should contact us.

Pain may be an indicator that something is wrong with your body. In case of severe bleeding and pain after the procedure, you should contact us.

One hour after giving a sperm sample is the optimal time when sperm quality is best. You can give the sample at home before the procedure and bring it with you or give it in the appropriate sperm collection rooms at the clinic.

We recommend refraining from sexual activity for three days to increase sperm count.

We do not recommend refraining from sexual activity for more than three days because of the accumulation of aged sperm.

We do not recommend using lubricants when giving a sperm sample, as even small amounts can be toxic to sperm.

Hormonal Support After the Procedure

After the ovarian retrieval procedure, your nurse will provide you with information about the medications your doctor recommends and their usage to thicken the lining of the uterus for embryo implantation.

These recommended medications contain progesterone hormone and come under the trade names Utrogestan or Crinone (progesterone in gel form, applied with a pre-filled applicator). There may be mild discharge when using Utrogestan or Crinone.

Sometimes, you may experience bleeding before a pregnancy test is performed, which does not necessarily mean you will not become pregnant.

Do not stop the gel or capsule without consulting your doctor until you have taken a pregnancy test and learned the result.

Embryo Transfer

Depending on the number and quality of embryos, embryo transfer can take place between the 2nd and 5th day after ovarian retrieval. You will be informed about how many embryos were created after the ovarian retrieval procedure.

You should be at the clinic half an hour before the planned embryo transfer.

You can continue your daily activities after embryo transfer – the embryos will not fall out, so do not worry!

During the embryo transfer procedure, an ultrasound is performed on the abdomen. To obtain a clearer image with the ultrasound, you should have drunk enough water and have a full bladder. Since we use ultrasound, especially to help with the insertion of the catheter containing embryos, having a full bladder makes the transfer easier.

Freezing of Embryos

Sometimes, instead of fresh embryo transfer, we may recommend freezing all embryos. If the uterine lining is not thick enough for embryo implantation or if there are other medical conditions, your embryos will be frozen and stored for transfer at a later time instead of being transferred immediately.

Pregnancy Test

Most people say that waiting to see if they are pregnant is the most stressful part of treatment. The pregnancy test is performed 15 days after embryo transfer. Your result will be communicated to you by us.”