Committing to fertility treatment

Finding the necessary commitment

Most couples that have been through IVF come away knowing they tried everything they possibly could to realise their dream of having a baby.¹ Many eventually succeed, but in most cases multiple cycles are necessary.² You must be strong and prepare yourself for disappointments. There are preparations you can make.

Learn to cope with stress. When people encounter stress they react to it differently. One person’s strategy for handling difficult emotional issues may be different to the next. Some methods are more or less effective in keeping stress under control. Use the Fertility Compass to discover your coping style and see what you might do better to cope with stress. Your partner may have a different approach, so it’s a good idea to test yourselves together. Compare the results and come to understand each other better.
Build your support network. The right friends and close family members can provide great comfort and support. However, it may be hard for them to know precisely what you need. Don’t leave them guessing. Speak to them and tell them what you need.
Use the Support Network Chart to build a close-knit group.
Balance your life. Treatment may take time so it’s important not to put your life on hold. With a little planning the time will pass and you’ll find the strength to continue from one cycle to the next. Use this week-to-week planner will help get you started.

Today the overall success rates of ART treatments are high. A Danish study from 2009 shows that within five years of starting ART treatment, almost 70% of couples succeeded in having at least one child.² Averages conceal ranges of outcomes and the situation will be different for every couple and clinic. It is important to discuss your individual case with a fertility specialist.

At some point, you and your partner may question if you have the stamina to embark on another treatment cycle, or whether you need a break. The answer to this question will depend on your individual circumstances and only you can decide as a couple. Use the Fertility Compass and read more to help discuss the next step. The course you take is yours to determine.

^{1. Hammerberg K, et al. Women’s experience of IVF: a follow-up study. Hum Reprod. 2001;16(2):374-383. 2. Pinbourg A et al, Prospective longitudinal cohort study on cumulative 5-year delivery and adoption rates among 1338 couples initiating infertility treatment. Hum Reprod.2009;24; 991-999.}

Fallopian tube

A funnel-shaped passage through which sperm are guided towards the egg, and fertilized eggs are conveyed to the uterine cavity.

Fertilization

The moment of conception when the genetic material contained in the sperm and egg combine to create an embryo. Fertilization usually occurs inside the fallopian tube. It may also occur in vitro during a clinical process. See also In Vitro Fertilization.

Fertility treatment

Any procedure used to enhance fertility or to help couples achieve pregnancy.

Fertility psychologist

A health specialist with professional qualifications in psychology and counselling relating to fertility issues.

Fibroid tumour

A benign (that is, not malignant or life-threatening) tumour made up of fibrous tissue that may form in the uterine wall. Fibroid tumours may be present without any symptoms, or may cause abnormal menstrual patterns or infertility.

Follicle

A fluid-filled sac in the ovary, which contains the egg released during ovulation. Each month a new egg matures and travels to the fallopian tube.

Follicle Stimulating Hormone

A hormone released by the pituitary gland in both sexes. In women, FSH stimulates the growth of the ovarian follicle necessary for egg production. In men, FSH stimulates and supports sperm production. Elevated FSH levels are associated with gonadotrophin failure in both men and women.

Freezing

(See Cryopreservation)

Idiopathic infertility

Unexplained infertility.

Infertility or primary infertility

The inability of a couple to achieve conception after a year of unprotected intercourse – six months if the woman is over 35 – or the inability to carry a pregnancy to live birth. Also see Subfertility.

Intracytoplasmic Sperm Injection (ICSI)

A single sperm is injected directly into an egg cell with microscopic guidance. If fusion takes place, the embryo is transferred into the uterus for implantation. This clinical procedure is often used in conjunction with In Vitro Fertilisation if the male partner has a very low sperm count, low sperm motility or poor-quality sperm.

Intrauterine device

(IUD): A contraceptive device consisting of a small piece of bent plastic, which prevents pregnancy by changing the environment of the uterus.

Intrauterine Insemination (IUI)

A procedure whereby sperm are deposited directly into the uterus via the cervix using a catheter.

Irregular ovulation

Menstrual cycles that vary more than a few days in length from month to month are considered irregular. Most menstrual cycles occur about every four weeks, with the normal range lasting between 24 and 35 days.

In Vivo

A process that occurs inside the body.

In Vitro Fertilization (IVF)

Eggs produced with the assistance of fertility drugs are retrieved from the woman’s body and fertilized by sperm in a laboratory environment. The resulting embryos are transferred via catheter to the uterus.

Immune system disorders

On rare occasions, an impaired immune system may regard the egg or sperm as a ‘foreign body,’ and attack it as an ‘intruder.’

Implantation

The process whereby the embryo embeds itself into the lining of the uterus. The cells from the embryo eventually connect with the mother’s blood vessels to form the placenta. See also ectopic pregnancy.

Amenorrhoea

The absence of a menstrual period in a woman of reproductive age. Physiological states of amenorrhoea are seen during pregnancy and breastfeeding. Outside the reproductive years, there is an absence of menses during childhood and after menopause. See also premature menopause.

Andrologist

A medical specialist who deals with male health, particularly relating to the problems of the male reproductive system and urological problems unique to men.

Artificial Insemination (AI)

Procedure whereby sperm are deposited via the vagina into the cervix or uterus using a catheter. The technique is used to transfer donor sperm or to overcome problems with sexual performance, the interaction between sperm and mucus, or the quality of sperm.

Assisted hatching

A procedure whereby a small hole is drilled in the protective membrane of the embryo using a laser device or a dilute acidic solution to assist hatching and aid implantation.

Assisted Reproductive Technologies (ART)

A variety of procedures used to bring about conception without sexual intercourse, including In Vitro Fertilisation (IVF), Gamete Intra-Fallopian Transfer (GIFT) or Zygote Intra-Fallopian Transfer (ZIFT), Intracyto-plasmic Sperm Injection (ICSI), Microsurgical Epididymal Sperm Aspiration (MESA) and Testicular Sperm Extraction (TESE).

Autoimmune disease

A disease where the body attacks its own cells due to an overactive immune response.

Azoospermia

A complete absence of sperm in the semen. See also Oligospermia.