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FAQs – Frequently Asked Questions

  • How to get referred to a Care Fertility specialist?
    1. Speak to your GP and ask for a referral for both partners to see a Care Fertility specialist. Your referral will entitle you to a rebate from Medicare, if you hold a Medicare card.
    2. Call or email your Care Fertility specialist to book your first appointment.
  • What lifestyle changes can we make to improve our chance of having a successful cycle?

    You can read about lifestyle changes that help with fertility here.

    • If you are overweight, weight loss of half to one kilogram per week may be advantageous. Moderate (not excessive exercise) may be beneficial.
    • If you are underweight for the female partner weight gain may help.
    • There is no evidence that coffee or tea is harmful.
    • A balanced diet is sensible.
    • Taking folic acid and iodine are important.
    • If the male partner has an abnormal sperm count taking antioxidants may assist.
  • Does Care Fertility offer IVF services for single women?

    Absolutely! If you're a single women, we offer services like egg storage and known sperm donation.

  • Does Care Fertility have a BMI limit for patients?

    No, we do not have a BMI limit.

  • Does Care Fertility accept referrals from interstate?

    Yes we do. All our specialists provide video consultations. However, procedures and treatments will be performed at Greenslopes Private Hospital.

  • Does Care Fertility have a program to help access donor sperm?

    Care Fertility has a commitment to known donor sperm, therefore patients have their own donor. We do not import sperm from sperm banks overseas or within Australia. 

  • What is the maximum age of a woman wishing to use her own eggs to do IUI or IVF at your clinic?

    After the age of 44, the success rate is very low. However, if a woman uses a younger egg donor, the success rate is usually very good. 

  • What's the chance a blastocyst will develop from a fertilised egg?

    Approximately 30-50% of fertilised eggs will form a blastocyst by day 5 or 6 after fertilisation.  This mainly depends on the age of the woman at the time the egg was collected but also on egg quality, sperm quality, and laboratory culture conditions. Approximately 40% of blastocysts are genetically normal.

  • What percentage of embryos can be used for transfer?

    A blastocyst is when an embryo is at day 5 or 6 after fertilisation. Approximately 30-50% of fertilised eggs will form a blastocyst and approximately 40% of blastocysts are genetically normal. 

  • What's the time frame of getting PGT-A results?

    The process generally takes about 2-3 weeks.  You will be advised when your results are available and asked to make an appointment to discuss your results with your doctor. It is best if both partners attend the appointment to discuss your results

  • What is day 1 of my menstrual cycle?

    Day 1 is the first day of normal menstrual bleeding occurring in the morning. If you have spotting before your period this does not count as day 1. 

  • When can you take FSH?

    You can take FSH if you are having IVF and have been advised to commence FSH. If you do not usually ovulate, FSH is used to induce ovulation. Sometimes FSH is used in a low dose to prepare the uterus for a frozen embryo to be transferred. Learn more bout FSH in fertility treatments here.

  • Will I get mood changes during my IVF cycle?

    Generally no. The distress of infertility is much more likely to cause mood change and this is often worse after an unsuccessful cycle. If you are having difficulty with mood change please discuss with your doctor as Care Fertility has excellent professional affiliations in psychology and mental health which ensure the best possible outcome.

  • Can we have sexual intercourse during our treatment cycle?

    If you are having an IVF cycle, yes, but generally as you get closer to the egg collection there may be some discomfort and abstinence for 2-3 days prior to the egg collection is desirable to improve the quality of the sperm.

    After the egg collection you are generally advised to abstain if you had more than 15 eggs collected as the ovaries are very fragile.

    After the embryo transfer resumption of sexual intercourse improves the chance of the treatment cycle being successful and is generally advised.

    If you are having a frozen embryo transferred in a natural cycle in which you ovulate and you have a chance of natural conception (e.g. open Fallopian tubes and sperm are present) there is a risk of multiple pregnancy (if spontaneous conception occurs and the transferred embryo implants). Ask your doctor about your unique situation for advice. If ovulation is suppressed – such as with a cycle when you take hormones sexual intercourse is safe. As with IVF cycles sexual intercourse is advised after the embryo transfer.