All About IVF

Typically in Ireland, IVF costs between €4,000 and €6,000 and this should include the treatment and aftercare of one round of IVF. It’s important to explore exactly what’s included in the costs and find out what additional costs there could be (such as fertility testing and embryo freezing) so that you can budget appropriately.

The first step is to get in contact with the fertility clinic. They will book you in to meet a consultant fertility specialist and advise you on any tests and information you and your partner need to have to get the most out of your consultation. At your consultation, the fertility specialist will review your medical history, perform an ultrasound scan and discuss all of your test results together as a couple. They will then give you some recommendations, which might be to have some further tests, some advice to help you conceive unassisted, or they might recommend a course of treatment.

If they recommend IVF to you, the consultant will advise a particular protocol based on your test results. Once you are ready to begin your cycle, the team will give you instructions for when and how to take your medications, and some expected dates for scans and your egg collection procedure (although these dates can change, depending on your response to the medication).

Your cycle will start when your menstrual cycle starts. The first part of the cycle focuses on daily hormone injections. to stimulate the ovaries to produce follicles (a follicle is a small bubble of fluid that contains an egg). This process usually takes about two weeks and during this time you’ll have some ultrasound scans to monitor the progress and growth of the follicles. Once the follicles reach the right size, your egg collection will take place, a procedure where the eggs are collected from the ovaries. The eggs are then brought to the lab to be fertilised and developed to embryos. A few days later, an embryo (or two – but this can result in twins or even triplets) will be transferred back into the womb. It’s then a two-week wait until you can take a pregnancy test.

The central thing to keep in your mind is that you are preparing for pregnancy, not for treatment. Keep that in sight. Getting your body ready in terms of being physically healthy for your pregnancy is so important. If you do smoke or vape, quitting will improve your chances of conceiving. A balanced diet, good water intake and a regular exercise routine are important for all aspects for health. Cook at home as much as you can, with a good supply of organic fruit and vegetables and avoid fried and fast foods.

Think about your support system and what you enjoy doing, what relaxes you, and make time for those people and things: they are your support network and will help you through from treatment to baby. There are also a number of complementary therapies that patients find helpful, such as mindfulness and acupuncture as a way to help them relax.

Balancing the needs of your cycle with the needs of your work can cause a lot of stress for anyone undergoing IVF. If you’re comfortable, discuss your plans with your manager and with your GP. While companies in Ireland are not yet obligated to give you paid leave for reproductive healthcare treatments, the majority of managers are very supportive.

The Organisation of Working Time (Reproductive Health Related Leave) Bill 2021 is currently being discussed, which may in time allow leave for those seeking care. If you’re planning to do a cycle, once you’ve had your consultation, your IVF cycle will have 5 or 6 appointments and they are very quick appointments, usually 20-30 minutes, flexible appointments. The only day you’ll need off is the day of your egg collection.

This is a very common fear. The needles that are used for the injections are quite small and short and shouldn’t cause anything other than some mild initial discomfort. Consider having someone with you for the first or second injection just for support. After this, you’ll feel more confident and it will just become second nature.

Doing the injection for yourself is much more comfortable than having someone else administer it, and it will give you the independence to continue your regular routine – you can take injections with you – and keep your stress levels down.

While it is a straightforward medical process, IVF can be an emotional process: everyone needs support at times. Allow yourself to lean on your support network if you need to and give yourself space for relaxation. Don’t stop the things you enjoy during your treatment cycle.

Even if you think you don’t need it, it’s a really good idea to see a counsellor in your clinic as they will help you build resilience and good coping strategies. Most clinics offer it free of charge, so avail of it if you can and it will feel easier to see the counsellor again if you’re struggling at any point. You can also ask for help from your clinical team too: telling them if you’re finding it hard won’t affect your treatment, and it’ll give them an opportunity to reassure you and give you support and resources. There are plenty of online support groups out there too and your doctor may be able to advise other suggestions to ensure you’re in the best place going into and during treatment.