Frequently Asked Questions

Index

How long do I have to wait to see a doctor if I don’t get pregnant?

In general, if a couple does not have any medical reason to have descendants and if after 12 months of having started to have unprotected sexual intercourse, pregnancy does not happen naturally, then it is recommended to seek medical help. This time above mentioned must be halved if the woman concerned is older than 35 years of age.

What can be the reason for infertility?

There are several reasons. That is why a correct study of the problem must be carried out in both members of the couple concerned. Among others, in the case of men, a low number, low mobility or lack of spermatozoids could be blamed for it. In the case of women, no ovulation, or to ovulate irregularly, or to have the fallopian tubes obstructed are among others, reasons to blame infertility. Also leaving pregnancy for later in life, nowadays stressful ways of living in men as well as in women could also be a cause. Other factors like obesity, anorexia, complex illnesses, thyroid alterations, drug abuse and pharmaceuticals, alcohol and tobacco.

To what extent does age affect women’s infertility?

Physical and psychic maturity in women ideally means that the ages between twenty five and thirty are the best ages to get pregnant and give birth. Nowadays women have decided that they can still be in form to get pregnant after the recommended age. After the age of thirty five, women’s fertility sensibly decreases in a gradual way.

When is the best cycle to get gestation going?

The time of ovulation. Ovulation or women’s fertile period happens half way through each cycle, more or less on day 14 of a normal 28 day cycle.

Is it true, that after a long time of taking oral contraceptives a subsequent difficulty to conceive may happen?

It is a general thought that women who spent too long using contraceptives orally can be at a higher risk of not developing normal periods after stopping it. However, this is false.

Have women, who use IUD (Intrauterine contraceptive device) as a contraceptive, more difficulty to get pregnant?

Women who have more than one sexually related partner or suffer from sexually transmitted illnesses present a higher risk to develop a pelvic inflammatory illness, therefore creating a blockage of the fallopian tubes. There are no other related sterility reasons.

Which ones are the necessary tests in a first visit?

There are no set rules, but the list required is the study of the masculine factor as well as the normality of the feminine factor.

What factors must we take into account to choose a fertility treatment?

The couple’s age and the time invested in trying to get a successful gestation are factors of vital importance at the time of choosing the treatment. It is not the same for a couple of 38 years of age and 10 tries wishing to get pregnant and a couple of 25 years of age and 2 trying to get pregnant.

What can be said is the rate of success of fertility treatments?

Succeeds 60% per cycle; however it varies and depends on many factors.

Does chemotherapy terminates fertility?

Yes, and in some cases permanently irreversible, however, there have been situations in which once the treatment has been finished, a recovery is produced. Anyway, it is possible to preserve ovocites, sperm or embryos before starting chemotherapy.

Can a couple attend to assisted reproductory techniques if tubal ligation or vasectomy has been done on any of them?

Yes, since this limitations are reversible.

If I am in the menopause period can I become pregnant?

Yes, nowadays it is possible to have a baby after a physiological menopause, or in the case a menopause has occurred or and early ovaric failure.

Does it take a long time to get a gestation using assisted reproductory methods?

We can’t generalize, but in reality, if couples were more persistent trying to do so, 90% would be successful.

Is it necessary to try each assisted reproduction technique several times?

Each couple is a different case, therefore we cannot generalize.

Can we choose our baby’s gender?

Spanish law only allows it if the reasons are therapeutic.

Does Spanish law allow women to attend Assisted Reproductive Technique sessions without a couple?

Yes, the main requirement is to be over 18 years of age, be psychophysically healthy and apply for consent, this also applies to hetero or homosexual couples.

Are there many differences in laws and legislations between countries regarding assisted reproduction?

The more permissive countries are Greece, Spain and the United Kingdom, that hold specific legislations regarding human reproduction. In Europe, France and Holland allow the donation of human embryos. In the United States, couples are the ones who decide without the interference of the state.

Can the remaining embryos be frozen after an effective treatment?

Yes, in Spain, all remaining embryos are frozen and at the couples disposal for the whole of their fertile life.

Are there waiting lists for the donation of ovocites?

At Instituto Bernabeu we have an experience of well over 15 years concerning ovodonations, performing hundreds of cycles yearly. There is no waiting list.

Can donor identity be known?

No, donations are anonymous and Spanish law strictly protects data concerning donor’s identity.

How do you select donors?

Donors are healthy people over 18 years of age who volunteer and who go through a very strict selection process. In our centre we include: physical exploration, psychological evaluation, hormonal tests and karyotype, hereditary illnesses screening (cystic fibrosis), screening for infectious illnesses, among others.

How does an ovocites or semen sample get selected to be used on couples?

We take into account the couple’s physical characteristics i.e.: blood type, facial features, biotype, etc.

Where the donated embrios come from?

Every couple going through an IVF treatment has to sign an informed consent where they have to specify what to do with the remaining embrios, if any. Most of these couples donate their embrios to other couples in their situation.

© Instituto Bernabeu | Alicante | Elche | Cartagena | Benidorm | +34 902 30 20 40 | | Legal notice

Desarrollado por Tres Tristes Tigres