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.

Who can be a donor of ovules and semen?

Ovule donors are healthy young females who selfishly would like to help other women to become mothers. Most of them are professionals with a high I.Q. Some others are university students.

Requirements are, to be between the ages of 18 and 35, hold a negative family record of genetically transmitted illnesses, normal karyotype, negative screening of genetic illnesses, negative comprehensive study of sexually transmitted illnesses (AIDS, Hepatitis B and C, Syphilis), normal reproductory system, mentally and physically healthy, medical fertility history or adequate response to ovary stimulation treatment, adequate body mass.

Semen donors are young healthy males who donate their semen voluntarily in order for it to be used in couples who are under an assisted reproductory treatment.

Requirements are, to be between the ages of 18 and 35, psychophysically healthy, not to be a holder of any personal or family illnesses records that can be passed onto descendants, like diabetes or epilepsy, not to be infected or carry any hepatitis B antigens, hepatitis C antibodies, anti-AIDS ½ antibodies or syphilis, not to carry any kind of infections, posses a 4.5 times over the normal level of semen quality, approximately, and to posses semen that can undergo adequately the processes of freezing and defrosting, normal karyotype.

Is donation anonymous?

Yes. Spanish law states that the donor’s identity must be kept in the strictest confidentiality.

Can donors know the identity of any children born through their donation?

No. Law states that donation is an anonymous action, and therefore, donors have no right to know the identity of any children born through their contribution, neither can donors be identified by children born through the same process.

How can I become a donor?

In the case of ovocites donors, after getting in touch with our centre, an interview will take place in order to establish whether or not the above mention requirements are met. If the interview goes all well then a gynaecology test and a medical revision will be performed. At the same time a blood test will be carried out. Once the results have come out, and a positive outcome is established, treatment will commence after the first day of menstruation.

For semen donors, after contacting us, a first interview will take place. If all requirements are met, then a first semen sample can be taken. Subsequently, a second semen sample is taken to cross check the results with the first one. If results are in order then a test for freezing and defrosting the second sample will be carried out, if these tests go according to the requirements, a third semen sample is taken and also a blood test. The third semen sample will be kept frozen in our semen storage bank, it will also be kept in quarantine for the stated time until all results and studies are received. After this process, the donor can come to our centre on a weekly basis.

Do donors receive any kind of monetary compensation?

Donation is an altruistic act; nevertheless we compensate any transport fees paid to come to our centre, any wages missed due to a day out of work, etc. In our centre, such compensation is €900.00 that is paid after the donor has finished the process of donation.

Is there a limit to donations?

According to Spanish law, a person who has donated can only do so until a maximum of six children have successfully been born.

Is Ovocites donation a painful process?

No. For the majority of young donors who have done it, the experience has been a positive one; they feel satisfied and proud repeating the process.

Can ovocites donation have any risk of affecting my ovarian reserve?

No, in each cycle hundreds of ovocites are lost naturally, these ovocites can’t be used. Our treatment only saves ovocites from these cycles. In many cases, the fact that a complete gynaecologic revision is performed means that the possibility of a treatment for future fertility alterations can be recommended.

When can a donor be rejected?

When semen quality, after several tests, does not permit freezing it or when after being frozen, it doesn’t survive in an acceptable way.

When periodical blood tests show any sort of defects.

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