IVF FAQ: 25 Most Common Questions Answered by Fertility Specialists
Complete IVF FAQ: success rates, egg retrieval pain, how many trips to Thailand, what to do after failure... AddBaby's medical team answers all your questions in detail.
Our medical advisors answer hundreds of IVF questions from patients every week. Here are the 25 most commonly asked questions, with detailed answers from AddBaby's medical team.
Basic IVF Knowledge
Q1: How does IVF actually work?
IVF (In Vitro Fertilization) involves: ovarian stimulation (10-14 days) → egg retrieval (20-minute procedure) → laboratory fertilization → embryo culture (3-6 days) → embryo transfer → pregnancy test (day 14).
Q2: What's the difference between 1st, 2nd, and 3rd generation IVF?
- 1st gen: Conventional IVF (natural fertilization)
- 2nd gen: ICSI (single sperm injected directly into egg — for male factor infertility)
- 3rd gen: PGT/PGD/PGS (genetic testing of embryos before transfer)
"3rd generation" simply means adding genetic screening — it's a combination of ICSI + genetic testing.
Q3: What are the IVF success rates?
Per transfer cycle clinical pregnancy rates at top Thailand hospitals:
- Age ≤35: 60-70%
- Age 36-40: 45-55%
- Age 41-42: 30-40%
- Age ≥43: 15-25%
Live birth rates are typically 5-10 percentage points lower.
Pre-Treatment Questions
Q4: What tests are needed before IVF?
Female: AMH, FSH/LH/E2, hysterosalpingogram, infectious disease panel, thyroid (TSH) Male: Semen analysis, infectious disease panel, karyotype (if severe sperm abnormality)
Q5: Can I do IVF with a low AMH?
Yes. AMH below 0.5 ng/mL reduces the expected number of eggs retrieved but doesn't prevent IVF. Thailand's top specialists design personalized protocols even for AMH below 0.2 ng/mL.
Q6: Is egg retrieval painful?
No — it's performed under IV sedation (deep anesthesia), so patients are asleep and feel nothing. Mild cramping may occur afterward, similar to period pain, typically resolving within hours.
Treatment Process
Q7: How many trips to Thailand are needed?
Minimum 2 trips, typically 3:
- Trip 1: Initial assessment and testing (3-5 days)
- Trip 2: Stimulation monitoring + egg retrieval (10-16 days)
- Trip 3: Embryo transfer (3-5 days)
Men can freeze sperm in advance to avoid being present at egg retrieval.
Q8: How long does a complete IVF cycle take?
From first appointment to embryo transfer: approximately 1-3 months.
Special Situations
Q9: Can I do IVF with PCOS?
Yes, and success rates are generally favorable. PCOS patients often produce many eggs. The main precaution is managing OHSS (ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome) risk through careful protocols.
Q10: Is IVF possible with severe male factor infertility?
Yes. ICSI requires only one motile sperm. For azoospermia (no sperm in ejaculate), surgical sperm retrieval (TESE or Micro-TESE) can often recover viable sperm.
Q11: What's the success rate for women over 40?
- Age 40: ~35-45% per transfer (own eggs)
- Age 42: ~25-35%
- Age 44+: Seriously consider donor egg IVF
PGT-A genetic testing significantly improves success rates by selecting chromosomally normal embryos.
For more specific questions about your situation, contact AddBaby's advisory team for a personalized consultation.
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