[← article overview of the topic-series »Fertility treatment procedure«]
“How old is too old?”
Fertility and advanced maternal age
Icon Image | Photo: Shutterstock It is not only the term itself but also the definition of “advanced age” in connection with the desire to have children which gives rise to numerous discussions. In English speaking countries the term “advanced maternal age” is most commonly used for all women aged 35 or more at the
Implantation rate
Part 4 of the topic-series »Success Rate«
[← article overview of the topic-series »Success Rate«] Icon Image | Photo: Shutterstock If practitioners of reproductive medicine talk about the implantation rate, they mean the percentage of those embryos that implanted themselves into the uterine lining after having been transferred to the womb. Fetal heartbeat can be visualized via ultrasound in order to definitely
Pregnancy rate
Part 3 of the topic-series »Success Rate«
[← article overview of the topic-series »Success Rate«] Icon Image | Photo: Shutterstock Of course, patients often ask me about pregnancy rates achieved by our IVF centers. Quite often this question is linked with the notion that the pregnancy rate can provide precise forecasts on the successful outcome of fertility treatment. Actually, a uniform definition
“What does this mean for us?”
Part 1 of the topic-series »Success Rate«
[← article overview of the topic-series »Success Rate«] Icon Image | Photo: Shutterstock When it comes to choosing an IVF center, among other things, couples seeking fertility support want to learn more about the clinic’s performance figures (e.g. pregnancy rate, live birth rate). In some countries, IVF centers are required by law to publish their
Assessing the chances
Part 2 of the topic-series »Success Rate«
[← article overview of the topic-series “Success Rate”] Icon Image | Photo: Shutterstock Couples considering IVF treatment are accompanied by high hopes and expectations towards their treating specialists. During the initial consultation, most of them raise the key question regarding their chances of achieving pregnancy through reproductive technologies. Predicting the outcome of fertility treatment is
“A lot helps a lot?”
The dangers of self-medication in fertility treatment
Icon Image | Photo: Shutterstock Even the area of reproductive medicine is touched by the commonly held misconception “a lot helps a lot” when it comes to taking medicines. We often encounter situations in which patients undergoing hormonal stimulation (ovarian stimulation) want to increase the prescribed dosage of their own accord, saying they had read
Quality in IVF centers
Application and Relevance of a Quality Management System
Certificate: ISO 9001:2015 | IVF Centers Prof. Zech “If there’s a way to do it better: find it.” Thomas A. Edison (1847-1931) If we interpret this quote by Thomas Edison, the continual pursuit of improvements may (as, for example, in the case of Edison) lead to new inventions or to the improvement of already existing
“Sometimes there’s more in the basket and sometimes less “
The number of oocytes in an IVF treatment
Icon Image | Photo: Shutterstock The stage of hormonal stimulation (ovarian stimulation) is an exciting time. Daily injections are required and each ultrasound scan is anticipated with great excitement. What our patients want to know is: “How many follicles can be identified? Do all the follicles continue to grow? How many large and probably mature
When the path to parenthood is “blocked”
Therapy options in connection with the treatment of blocked/damaged fallopian tubes
Icon Image | Photo: Shutterstock Blocked or damaged fallopian tubes are among the main causes of unwanted childlessness and are seen as classical indications for IVF treatment (“In vitro fertilization”). Tubal damage is frequently associated with the accumulation of serous, inflammatory or post-inflammatory fluids. We are referring here to a condition called hydro- or sactosalpinx.
