Frequently Asked
Questions

• Heavy exercise such as aerobics, jogging, weight lifting etc. is prohibited during ovarian stimulation and until the pregnancy test results are known.
• Smoking should be stopped before ovulation induction begins. It is highly recommended to discontinue tobacco intake at least 3 months prior to an IVF cycle.
• Alcohol should be avoided during pregnancy and infertility treatment. Drinking alcohol is not advisable from the time fertility medications are initiated until the pregnancy test is conducted.
• Some medications may interfere with the fertility medications prescribed, some are not safe to use before an operation or medical procedure, and others might interfere with ovulation or pregnancy implantation

PCOS stands for Polycystic Ovary Syndrome. It is a hormonal disorder that affects women of reproductive age. PCOS is characterised by the growth of multiple small cysts on the ovaries, which can cause irregular periods and problems with ovulation.

An Ovulation calculator may not always be entirely precise, but it can be a helpful tool if you have a consistent menstrual cycle.

Endometriosis is a common disorder found in women, where the endometrial tissues grow outside the uterus. Pelvic pain, Abnormal bleeding, Painful urination, Difficulty in getting pregnant are some common signs of endometriosis.

IVF is a four-step process.

• Controlled Ovarian hyperstimulation.
• Oocyte retrieval
• Oocyte insemination with the male gamete the sperm
• Embryo transfer

Low Sperm count also known as oligospermia, is a condition where the concentration of sperm in a man’s semen is lower than normal.

Treatment for Low sperm count are:

• Medications – Low sperm count can be caused by hormonal imbalance, doctors may prescribe medications to restore the hormonal balance. These medications include human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG), clomiphene citrate or gonadotropins
• Lifestyle changes – Adopting a healthy lifestyle can help to improve sperm count, which includes exercising regularly, quitting smoke, reducing alcohol intake, eating a balanced diet, good quality sleep etc
• Surgery  may be recommended in a few cases where a blockage in the male reproductive system is causing low sperm count.
• Assisted reproductive technologies (ART)  such as intrauterine insemination (IUI) or in vitro fertilization (IVF) with ICSI can be used to increase the chance of pregnancy

• IUI also known as Intra uterine insemination is a common fertility treatment that involves concentrating motile sperms and placing it high within the uterine cavity.
• It is a cost effective, and inexpensive method of treatment.
• IUI is easy to perform and can be done in a simple set-up.

• Only one sperm is required to fertilize a single egg, realising this concept the method of ICSI was designed .
• It involves injection of single sperm directly into the oocyte(egg) .
• Fertilization rates after the use of this technique are between 60% -70%.
• Now, ICSI has become the most widely used technique for the process of insemination in most of the fertility clinics worldwide.

There are some natural ways to improve egg quality:

• Exercise regularly
• Eat a healthy diet
• Avoid smoking and excessive alcohol consumption
• Manage stress
• Take Vitamin supplements

An ovulation day calculator is a tool that can help you estimate your ovulation day, or the day when you are most likely to conceive

Motherhood does not accept direct gamete/sperm donors or donations. Anyone claiming otherwise or soliciting payment for such services on their website or through Motherhood’s name or platforms is a scam. Please disregard and do not comply with their demands. We are not responsible for linked site content or updates.

Considering fertility treatment it’s important to understand costs and finance options. The key message is that before you move forwards and say yes to treatment with a fertility clinic, it’s important for you to do your research. We want you to completely understand that IVF is an accumulative process and no-one can assure that you will be successful on your first round.

On average, it can take 3 rounds of IVF to achieve a live birth. So, this is something to bear in mind if you are having to fund your IVF cycles yourself.

The average IVF cost for one cycle of IVF in India ranges from INR 1,50,000 to 3,50000 (approximately $1,317 to $4,610), but this does not include oral medications, testing, or additional procedures that may be required.

The cost of a semen analysis test in India may vary depending on the location, the lab facility, and the type of testing performed. On average, the cost of a semen analysis test in India can range from Rs. 500 to Rs. 2000.

• You do not require complete bed rest after embryo transfer.
• Bed rest for 1-2 days after embryo transfer is usually advised.
• Evidence states that strict bed rest and inactivity after embryo transfer are related to negative outcomes.
• Few studies suggest that strict bed rest and inactivity combined with use of high estrogen led to increased blood clot formation and insulin resistance hence disrupting the growth and development of the foetus by halting the blood flow to the much needed areas for development.

Do’s

• Pamper yourself, take bed rest for 1-2 days after embryo transfer as implantation takes place between 1 and 5 days after embryo transfer
• Take all your prescribed oral and injectable medicines on time
• Resume your normal day to day activities , including light physical activity like walking
• Hydrate – Drink plenty of fluids
• Maintain a healthy diet, keep your diet high in proteins and fibre
• Take your daily vitamins like folic acid supplements ,antioxidants like Vitamin C, Vitamin E if prescribed
• De-stress – Indulge in relaxation techniques like Yoga, meditation and soothing music

DON’T’s

• Avoid sexual intercourse until you get your pregnancy test results as it can induce uterine contractions interfering with the implantation process
• Avoid strenuous physical activity like weightlifting, running, jogging, cycling
• Diet – Eat as if you are already pregnant, avoid processed ,refined food high in sugars
• Avoid swimming pools, bath tubs, beaches or jacuzzi baths as it is a potential risk factor for infections
• Restrict smoking cigarettes and drinking alcohol as it interferes with implantation and increases risk of miscarriages or ectopic pregnancy

Ideally we advise the patient to wait for a period of four to six weeks before starting the next IVF cycle. The ideology is to wait until the patient has gone through one full menstrual cycle before starting another round of IVF.