Today, that vision, combined with the collective expertise and experience of our fertility specialists and support staff, has earned Newlife IVF recognition as one of Victoria’s top-performing IVF clinics.
According to the latest figures reported by the Herald Sun (sourced from the Federal Government’s Your IVF Success website), Newlife IVF holds the highest IVF success rate in Victoria for women under 35, with an impressive 62.5% of embryo transfers resulting in live birth.
For women aged 35 to 42, Newlife IVF also leads with the highest birth rates per embryo transfer in Metropolitan Melbourne (31.7%), placing us third overall in Victoria for this age group.
‘We are delighted to share that we have had another great year for our patients, with our pregnancy and birth success rates consistently above the national average. Our fertility specialist team focuses on providing the best possible milieu for eggs to mature and embryos to implant, and our amazing embryologists focus on every aspect of the egg, sperm and embryo care to provide a nurturing environment to achieve their developmental potential,’ said Dr Nicole Hope, fertility specialist and Medical Director at Newlife IVF.
A vision for exceptional fertility care
As a clinician-owned and led fertility clinic, we’re proud to be one of the few independent specialist fertility centres in Victoria. This independence allows us to offer a more personalised, supportive experience than corporate-owned clinics.
‘We feel so privileged to play a part in our patients’ journeys. Being able to provide a level of care that helps them achieve their dream of starting a family is truly an honour for us,’ said Dr Tiki Osianlis, Newlife IVF’s Managing Director and Scientific Director.
Every aspect of our practice is designed with our patients’ needs in mind. From our state-of-the-art laboratory to our use of advanced scientific tools and techniques, we combine expert-led care with cutting-edge science to give our patients the best possible chance of building the family they dream of.
‘Our IVF success rates highlight how effective our approach is. It’s not just about the science – it’s about the people. The entire team, from our fertility specialists and nurses to our embryologists, counsellors and admin staff, take the time to truly understand each patient’s unique journey. We adapt our care to fit their needs, and every single one of us is genuinely invested in helping our patients achieve their dream of becoming parents,’ said Dr Tiki.
Giving you Newlife in a different way
At Newlife IVF, we believe that everyone deserves the opportunity to build their family, which is why we’re committed to making high-quality fertility treatment as accessible as possible. We remain committed to delivering outstanding results and compassionate care, empowering our patients with the best possible chance of success.
If you’re ready to explore your options for having a baby, you can make an appointment with one of our specialists by calling (03) 8080 8933 or by booking online.
IVF is an assisted reproductive technique that helps people overcome fertility challenges to start or grow their families. This process involves fertilising an egg with sperm in a specialised laboratory, with the resulting embryo carefully transferred into the uterus with the aim that it will lead to a pregnancy.
Whether you’re just beginning your fertility journey or considering your options, understanding the IVF process is an empowering first step. In this article, we’ll guide you through the process that we use at our fertility clinic in Melbourne, to help you make informed decisions about your next steps.
A step-by-step guide to the IVF process at Newlife IVF in Melbourne
From the initial consultation through to the embryo transfer procedure, IVF involves a series of carefully coordinated stages – tailored to your unique needs – that are designed to give you the best chance of pregnancy success.
Initial consultation with our Melbourne-based fertility specialist
If you’re concerned about your fertility and would like to seek advice from a fertility specialist, you will need a referral from your GP to attend our IVF clinic.
During your initial consultation, your fertility specialist will assess your health and the factors contributing to your fertility issues, as well as provide tailored advice, including recommendations about diet and lifestyle. This process involves taking a thorough medical history from you, performing relevant examinations and ordering appropriate tests. Your fertility specialist will also discuss all available treatment options with you so you can make an informed decision about whether the IVF process is right for you.
If it is decided that IVF treatment is appropriate, we will register you as a patient at our fertility clinic. At this stage, mandatory tests, such as screening for infectious diseases, will be conducted if they have not been done previously.
Personalised fertility treatment planning
As no two fertility journeys are the same, fertility care at our IVF clinic in Melbourne is never one-size-fits-all. Our approach begins with uncovering the root causes of your fertility challenges and guiding you through the treatment options that best suit your unique circumstances. These options can range from straightforward solutions like fertility optimisation and ovulation induction to advanced treatments, such as intrauterine insemination (IUI), IVF, or IVF with intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI).
Ovulation induction and hormone stimulation
Ovulation induction is a commonly used fertility treatment for individuals with ovulatory dysfunction. Often serving as an early intervention, it can be effective as a standalone treatment or combined with others, such as IUI or IVF, to improve the chances of conception. Ovulation induction involves using fertility medication to stimulate your ovaries to produce one or more mature eggs and assist with ovulation. For those undergoing IVF, hormone stimulation with fertility medications is used to stimulate your ovaries to produce a higher number of mature eggs than they normally would. This is a critical step in preparation for egg retrieval.
During this stimulation phase, self-administered hormonal injections are given over 8–14 days to encourage the development of multiple eggs, increasing the number available for retrieval and fertilisation.
Fertility blood tests and monitoring
Careful monitoring plays a vital role throughout the stimulation phase. Using a combination of blood tests and ultrasounds, your fertility specialist will closely track how your ovaries are responding and how the follicles (sacs in the ovaries that contain eggs) are developing. These tests allow your specialist to assess if everything is progressing as planned and fine-tune your fertility medication to optimise your results.
As you near the end of the stimulation phase, monitoring is used to determine the optimal time for the ‘trigger injection’, which prepares the eggs for ovulation (i.e. their release from the ovaries). Your fertility nurse will liaise with your fertility specialist and guide you on when to administer the injection, as precise timing is essential – the egg retrieval procedure must occur before natural ovulation. Monitoring usually takes place at one of our Newlife IVF locations in Melbourne. However, you don’t have to be in Melbourne to access treatment. We have patients that live in rural or interstate locations and we work with local pathology and ultrasound providers to assist with our patients’ monitoring needs.
Egg retrieval procedure at our IVF clinic in Melbourne
Egg retrieval, also known as egg collection or egg pickup, is a key step in the IVF process. This procedure involves collecting eggs from your ovaries, which can be frozen for future use or fertilised in the next stage of your IVF cycle.
Performed at our IVF clinic under sedation, egg retrieval is a straightforward procedure that typically takes 20–30 minutes. During this time, your fertility specialist carefully collects eggs from your ovaries using a fine needle guided by ultrasound imaging. On average, 8–12 eggs are retrieved, although the exact number depends on factors such as age, ovarian response to the medication and health history.
Collecting multiple eggs at once is important to IVF success. A higher number of eggs increases the chance of developing the healthy embryos needed for a successful embryo transfer and pregnancy.
Our team understands that undergoing egg retrieval can feel both exciting and a little nerve-wracking. But you can rest assured that we’re here to support you every step of the way so that you feel informed and comfortable throughout the entire IVF process.
Sperm collection and ICSI treatment
On the day of egg retrieval, fresh semen samples are collected from the male partner. If you’re using frozen or donor sperm, our embryologists will ensure the sample is thawed and ready for use.
For standard IVF, the semen sample is carefully prepared by removing the seminal fluid (the fluid that contains sperm), isolating the motile sperm and removing immotile sperm before the insemination procedure
For ICSI, the process is more precise. Only a single sperm is used for fertilisation, requiring experienced embryologists to select the healthiest and most viable sperm and inject it directly into the egg.
Selecting the ideal sperm is a delicate process requiring years of expertise. Our embryologists are trained to identify sperm with the best shape and structure to maximise the chances of successful fertilisation.
Fertilisation and embryo development
The next step in the IVF process is fertilisation, where egg and sperm are brought together.
In some cases, depending on the sperm quality and the patient’s previous history, we use standard insemination, where each egg is placed in a laboratory dish and exposed to thousands of prepared sperm. The fittest sperm may then fertilise the egg naturally, mirroring what would occur in the body.
However, if there are challenges such as low sperm count or abnormalities in sperm quality, an advanced technique called ICSI may be used. With ICSI treatment, a single, healthy-looking sperm is carefully injected into an egg to increase the chances of fertilisation. While this method offers additional precision, it’s important to note that not all eggs will successfully fertilise.
If fertilisation occurs, the resulting embryos are carefully placed in an incubator that mimics the conditions of the female body. Over the next five days, these embryos grow and divide, preparing for the next stage of the IVF process – embryo transfer.
The embryo transfer procedure
The embryo transfer is one of the quickest yet most important stages of the IVF process. During this procedure, a carefully selected embryo is placed into your uterus with the hope that it will successfully implant and lead to pregnancy.
Performed under ultrasound guidance, the transfer involves using a long, thin instrument to gently release the embryo through the vagina and cervix into the uterus. For most women, the procedure feels similar to a routine pap test. It is quick, requires no anaesthetic and allows you to resume your usual activities afterwards.
At Newlife IVF, our fertility specialists and embryologists are committed to providing the highest standard of care and technology to maximise your chances of IVF success.
Pregnancy testing and ongoing support
The pregnancy test represents the culmination of weeks of preparation. This fertility blood test measures the level of human chorionic gonadotrophin (hCG) in your body – a hormone produced when a fertilised egg (an embryo) implants into the uterus. Elevated hCG levels can indicate a successful IVF cycle and the achievement of pregnancy.
This test is performed approximately eleven days after the embryo transfer, giving your body the necessary time to respond to implantation. While waiting for results can be an emotional experience, our dedicated team is here to support you regardless of the outcome.
This webinar, presented by fertility specialists Dr Chris Russell and Dr Nicole Hope, provides a more detailed explanation of the IVF process.
Why choose Newlife IVF?
At Newlife IVF, we understand how significant the IVF process is, and we’re committed to walking beside you on your journey to parenthood. Whether celebrating your success or exploring the next steps, you’ll always have compassionate care and expert guidance from our team.
Clinician-owned and led fertility clinic in Melbourne
As one of few independent specialist fertility centres in Victoria, we take pride in offering a more personalised, compassionate and supportive experience compared to corporate-owned clinics.
State-of-the-art IVF treatment in Melbourne
Every aspect of our practice is thoughtfully designed with your needs in mind, from our expert-led care to our state-of-the-art laboratory and scientific tools and techniques.
Advanced scientific techniques and high IVF success rates
We incorporate cutting-edge scientific advancements into every step of our IVF treatment process, helping to give you the best possible chance of achieving a successful pregnancy.
Our approach includes the use of the EmbryoScope time-lapse system, which provides continuous monitoring of embryo development, sequential media to nurture embryos, and EmbryoGlue to enhance implantation potential when transferring embryos into the uterus.
For ICSI treatment, we take it a step further with egg spindle visualisation technology, allowing us to carefully select eggs with the greatest potential for fertilisation.
Our IVF success rates reflect the effectiveness of these methods, consistently exceeding the national average and giving our patients a better chance of achieving their dream of parenthood.
Accessible and affordable IVF treatment in Melbourne
At Newlife IVF, we believe that everyone deserves the opportunity to build their family, which is why we are committed to providing affordable IVF treatment. Our fee structure is designed to be transparent and accessible, ensuring that fertility treatment, including IVF, is reasonably priced and doesn’t involve the stress of unexpected costs.
Contact Newlife IVF – your trusted fertility clinic in Melbourne
Fertility is largely influenced by the quality of both eggs and sperm. Age is the biggest determinant of egg quality1, but other factors such as diet, weight, physical activity and exposure to toxins (including illicit drugs or medications) also play a role. The good news is that whilst you cannot modify your age, there are things that you can do to improve egg quality and your chances of getting pregnant.
This involves making changes (if needed) to areas of your life that can influence various biological processes in the body – fertility included. With the proper modifications, you can protect your eggs from the harm caused by these factors and increase your likelihood of conceiving.
Why is age such a big factor?
Fertility starts to decline at the beginning of a woman’s 30s, but the decline is more rapid after age 35.1 This is because women are born with a lifetime supply of eggs – around 1-2 million – and this reserve gradually decreases over time. Egg quality also declines with age as the DNA in eggs becomes more susceptible to damage.
Eggs of lower quality are less likely to fertilise and develop into an embryo, affecting the chances of pregnancy. Additionally, older eggs are more likely to be affected by chromosome imbalance, which is associated with difficulty falling pregnant, an increased risk of miscarriage and a higher incidence of children born with a chromosome disorder (e.g. Down Syndrome).2
Unfortunately, once an egg’s DNA is damaged or the egg has an incorrect number of chromosomes (we call this aneuploidy), it cannot be reversed or repaired. For this reason, it’s important to protect your egg quality as much as possible.
Tips to improve your egg quality
Smoking
Women who smoke or are exposed to second-hand smoke often face delays in conceiving. Smoking damages egg DNA, which reduces fertility and increases miscarriage risk.3 It also increases the chance of ectopic pregnancy and makes embryo implantation harder, while increasing the risk of pregnancy complications.4 Therefore, avoiding smoking and second-hand smoke is crucial when trying to conceive and during pregnancy.
Additionally, researchers are still learning about all the risks of e-cigarettes (vapes) on conception and pregnancy. At this stage, no amount of vaping is considered safe when trying to conceive.
Alcohol
If you’re trying to conceive, drinking alcohol can affect your ability to get pregnant and stay pregnant. Some studies suggest that even low to moderate alcohol consumption is associated with reduced fertility.5 Drinking alcohol can alter hormone levels and disrupt the menstrual cycle and the ability to ovulate, therefore reducing the chances of conceiving. So, cutting down or cutting out alcohol can improve your chances of falling pregnant, along with helping you embrace a healthier lifestyle.
Coffee/caffeine
Some studies have shown reduced fertility and increased risk of miscarriage with excessive caffeine consumption.6 Most studies also indicate that the risk of infertility rises with higher levels of caffeine intake. Unfortunately, a safe daily amount of caffeine has not been established. For this reason, we recommend limiting your intake to one caffeinated drink per day (<80–100 mg of caffeine). If you can go without all together, even better!
Illicit drugs
Taking recreational drugs reduces the chances of becoming pregnant and having a healthy baby. For instance, cannabis and opioids are known to disrupt normal hormone production, leading to problems with ovulation and menstrual cycle disturbances.7 Additionally, stimulants such as cocaine and crystal meth have been linked to higher rates of miscarriage.8 Therefore, avoiding illicit drug use is one of the simplest ways to preserve your fertility.
Extreme exercise
Over-exercising can hinder ovulation and hormone production – specifically progesterone production, which is critical in supporting a pregnancy as it helps to thicken the lining of the uterus (needed for embryo implantation). Excessive exercise has also been linked to miscarriage.9 Vigorous exercise should not exceed 4 hours a week. However, lighter activities, such as walking and Pilates, are not limited.
Diet
The Mediterranean diet is often recommended for individuals undergoing in vitro fertilization (IVF) due to its potential benefits for reproductive health – and this may include egg quality. This diet emphasises the consumption of whole foods, including fruits, vegetables, whole grains, legumes, nuts, fish and healthy fats like olive oil, while limiting processed foods, red meat and added sugars.
Research suggests that adherence to the Mediterranean diet may improve fertility outcomes by promoting a healthy weight, reducing inflammation and optimising insulin sensitivity, all of which can positively influence ovarian function and embryo quality.10,11
Maintaining a healthy weight
Being underweight or overweight is associated with reduced pregnancy rates. This is because carrying too little or too much weight can disrupt the balance of hormones in your body, leading to ovulatory issues and irregular periods, along with an increased risk of miscarriage. Even if a woman has a regular cycle, fertility may still be reduced compared to women within the healthy weight range (a body mass index between 18.5 and 25).
Weight loss in overweight people doesn’t have to be drastic to improve fertility. Research has shown that even a modest drop in body weight (5–10%) can increase the chances of pregnancy – not to mention many other health benefits, such as a reduced risk of conditions like diabetes and heart disease, and a lower rate of pregnancy-related complications.12 Weight training and improving your lean body mass is also crucial for optimising your metabolism and reducing insulin resistance.
Weight loss is difficult, but your care providers can help you navigate the weight management journey. Talking to your GP or fertility specialist about weight is a great first step. We’ll make sure you have the support you need.
Medical conditions and medications
Conception is most likely to occur when you’re in good health. Untreated medical conditions, especially hormonal disorders (e.g. thyroid issues) and gynaecological conditions (e.g. endometriosis), can hinder fertility. It’s essential to manage these conditions before trying to conceive. Additionally, ensure that any prescribed medications are safe to take during conception and pregnancy by discussing these with your fertility specialist.
Night shift work
Night shift workers may experience reduced fertility because disrupted or insufficient sleep can interfere with the body’s circadian rhythm, leading to hormonal imbalances. Research on patients undergoing IVF has shown that women working night shifts tend to produce fewer eggs suitable for embryo development.13 Meanwhile, other studies have linked shift work to higher miscarriage rates.14 If possible, avoid night shift work and stick to a regular shift schedule rather than rotating between day and night shifts, as consistency can help reduce the impact on hormone levels.
Supplements for improving egg quality
In addition to lifestyle changes, certain supplements are often recommended. While evidence supporting their impact on egg quality and IVF success rates is limited, some studies suggest potential benefits, whereas others show no significant improvements in fertility outcomes. However, when taken at recommended doses, these supplements are generally considered safe.11
For instance, antioxidants like vitamin E and coenzyme Q10 may enhance IVF outcomes by reducing DNA damage and improving egg quality, particularly in older women or those with diminished ovarian reserve. Other commonly suggested supplements include vitamin D (especially for those with a deficiency) and omega-3 fatty acids.11
Additionally, all women trying to conceive should take a supplement containing at least 400 mcg of folic acid, which is crucial for DNA synthesis and reducing neural tube defects, along with 150 mcg of iodine to support thyroid function.11
Small changes can lead to big results
Simple yet impactful lifestyle changes go a long way towards preserving egg quality, preventing egg damage and improving your overall fertility. By addressing these modifiable factors and prioritising your overall wellbeing, you can boost your chances of conception and a healthy pregnancy.
If you’re ready to explore your options for having a baby or are concerned about your fertility, you can make an appointment with one of our specialists by calling (03) 8080 8933 or by booking online.
References
Better Health Channel. Age and fertility [internet]. Victoria (AU): Better Health Channel; 2023 [updated 2023; cited 2024 Oct]. Available from: https://www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/health/conditionsandtreatments/age-and-fertility ↩↩
Winship A, Stringer J, Liew S et al. The importance of DNA repair for maintaining oocyte quality in response to anti-cancer treatments, environmental toxins and maternal ageing. Hum Reprod Update. 2018;24(2): 19–134. doi: https://doi.org/10.1093/humupd/dmy002. ↩
Pineles BL, Park E, Samet JM. Systematic review and meta-analysis of miscarriage and maternal exposure to tobacco smoke during pregnancy. Am J Epidemiol. 2014;179(7):807–23. doi: 10.1093/aje/kwt334. Epub 2014 Feb 10. PMID: 24518810; PMCID: PMC3969532. ↩
Better Health Channel. Pregnancy and smoking [internet]. Victoria (AU): Better Health Channel; 2022 [updated 2022; cited 2024 Oct]. Available from: https://www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/health/healthyliving/pregnancy-and-smoking ↩
Fan D, Liu L, Xia Q et al. Female alcohol consumption and fecundability: a systematic review and dose-response meta-analysis. Sci Rep. 2017;7(1):13815. doi: https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-017-14261-8 ↩
Lyngsø J, Ramlau-Hansen CH, Bay B et al. Association between coffee or caffeine consumption and fecundity and fertility: a systematic review and dose-response meta-analysis. Clin Epidemiol. 2017;9:699–719. doi: 10.2147/CLEP.S146496. PMID: 29276412; PMCID: PMC5733907. ↩
The Society of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists of Canada. Substance use and fertility [internet]. Ontario (CA): The Society of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists of Canada; 2024 [cited 2024 Oct]. Available from: https://www.pregnancyinfo.ca/before-you-conceive/fertility/substance-use-and-fertility/ ↩
Smid MC, Metz TD, Gordon AJ. Stimulant use in Pregnancy: An Under-recognized Epidemic Among Pregnant Women. Clin Obstet Gynecol. 2019;62(1):168–184. doi: 10.1097/GRF.0000000000000418. PMID: 30601144; PMCID: PMC6438363. ↩
Barakat R, Zhang D, Silva-José C et al. The influence of physical activity during pregnancy on miscarriage-systematic review and meta-analysis. J Clin Med. 2023;12(16):5393. doi: 10.3390/jcm12165393. PMID: 37629435; PMCID: PMC10455409. ↩
Hart RJ. Nutritional supplements and IVF: an evidence-based approach. Reprod Biomed Online. 2024;48(3):103770. doi: 10.1016/j.rbmo.2023.103770. ↩
Yang J, Song Y, Gaskins AJ, et al. Mediterranean diet and female reproductive health over lifespan: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Am J Obstet Gynecol. 2023;229(6):617-631. doi: 10.1016/j.ajog.2023.05.030. ↩↩↩↩
Haase CL, Varbo A, Laursen PN et al. Association between body mass index, weight loss and the chance of pregnancy in women with polycystic ovary syndrome and overweight or obesity: a retrospective cohort study in the UK. Hum Reprod. 2023;38(3):471–481. doi: https://doi.org/10.1093/humrep/deac267 ↩
Liu Z, Zheng Y, Wang B et al. The impact of sleep on in-vitro fertilization embryo transfer outcomes: a prospective study. Fertil Steril. 2023;119(1):47–55. doi: 10.1016/j.fertnstert.2022.10.015 ↩
Mínguez-Alarcón L, Souter I, Williams PL, et al. Occupational factors and markers of ovarian reserve and response among women at a fertility centre. Occup Environ Med. 2017;74:426-431. doi: 10.1136/oemed-2016-103953 ↩
Naturopathy takes a holistic approach to your wellbeing and focuses on treatments that support your body to heal itself. A naturopath may recommend a combination of therapies such as herbal remedies, nutritional supplements, and diet and lifestyle advice.
Some evidence suggests that a holistic, naturopathic approach to care can benefit aspects of reproductive health. For example, a study in overweight women with polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) compared the combined effects of herbal supplementation and lifestyle changes with lifestyle changes alone.1 While the combination was not shown to specifically increase conception rates, it did improve other markers of fertility like menstrual cycle regularity (which can support ovulation) and enhanced mental wellbeing scores for depression.1
Herbal remedies
Herbal remedies are commonly used in naturopathy and include plants or parts of a plant – such as roots, flowers, bark, seeds and stems – that are often made into pills, teas or ointments for convenient consumption.
Simple acts like drinking a mug of herbal tea or using moisturisers infused with flower essences can relieve stress and create a sense of inner peace. And specifically regarding gynaecological findings, some herbal therapies have shown benefits. For instance, a study assessing the use of clomiphene (a medication that supports ovulation) combined with black cohosh supplementation in women with subfertility demonstrated increased endometrial thickness and improved hormone profiles.2 Theoretically, this can improve the chances of conception by creating a more receptive uterine environment for embryo implantation.2 However, the study findings did not specifically show an increase in pregnancy rates.2 If you would like to try a herbal remedy, keep in mind that they can affect your fertility treatment medications, so it’s essential to check if a herb is safe with your fertility specialist first.
Acupuncture
Acupuncture is a Chinese medicine practice in which thin needles are inserted into the skin at select acupuncture points. These acupuncture points mark lines of energy flow (called meridians) within the body, and the insertion of acupuncture needles at these points is intended to stimulate this energy flow.
There is limited evidence showing that acupuncture enhances fertility. However, patients may find acupuncture beneficial for stress reduction3 and overall emotional wellbeing.4
Mind-body practices
Mind-body practices are centred on the belief that your mindset can influence your health. Some mind-body practices include mindfulness meditation, yoga, music therapy, hypnosis, art therapy, aromatherapy, guided imagery and cognitive behavioural therapy.
Mindfulness meditation
Mindfulness meditation is a type of meditation that teaches you to become more aware of what you are thinking and feeling. Over time, mindfulness meditation can help you experience each moment with more compassion and less expectation – which may help ease the highs and lows of your fertility journey.
Research has linked mindfulness meditation with fewer difficult emotions, such as depression and stress, and less rumination, which can help you bounce back more easily from the highs and lows of your fertility journey.5
Yoga
Yoga is an ancient Indian mind-body practice that guides you through various postures and stretches. There are multiple styles of yoga, from gentle movements to more physically challenging practices. However, all yoga practices are a form of mindful movement.
The focus on flowing through physical motions and synchronising your movements with your breath can help you reconnect with your body and take a step back from the thoughts passing through your mind. This was evident in a six-week yoga program for women who were waiting for IVF treatment, where yoga was associated with fewer negative thoughts and feelings about fertility and an improved sense of wellbeing.6
Reflexology
Reflexology is a form of massage for the feet, hands and ears, where pressure is applied to select points that are believed to be linked to the function of broader body parts. By applying pressure to these points, reflexology aims to relieve stress and support healing in the body part each point is associated with.
A study comparing reflexology to gentle foot massage in women experiencing infertility found that reflexology did not improve ovulation or pregnancy rates. However, reflexology was associated with lower depression scores, which can help strengthen your resilience and overall fertility treatment experience.7
Take a balanced approach
Current medical research does not directly link complementary remedies to enhanced fertility. However, if such remedies benefit your emotional wellbeing and do not interfere with your current medical treatments, they could be a positive addition.
Always explore these options in consultation with your fertility specialist to ensure that these won’t interfere with your treatment.
There are also other changes you can make to maximise your chances of getting pregnant, such as:
Drinking caffeine in moderation
Incorporating regular movement into your routine
Maintaining a healthy weight
Enjoying a balanced, nutritious diet
Taking the recommended supplements.
If you would like to learn more about lifestyle changes to improve your fertility, you can also read ‘What can I do differently in 2024 to fall pregnant?’ by Newlife IVF fertility specialist Dr Nicole Hope.
Still got questions?
To meet with one of our Newlife IVF fertility specialists and learn more about how you can improve your fertility, you can reach our team by calling (03) 8080 8933 or book online via our appointments page.
References
Arentz S, Smith CA, Abbott J et al. Combined lifestyle and herbal medicine in overweight women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS): A randomized controlled trial. Phytother Res. 2017;31(9):1330-40. doi:10.1002/ptr.5858 ↩↩
Clark N, Will M, Moravek M et al. A systematic review of the evidence for complementary and alternative medicine in infertility. Int J of Gynaecol Obstet. 2013;122(3):202-6. doi: 10.1016/j.ijgo.2013.03.032
HealthProfessional/#:~:text=Today%2C%20black%20cohosh%20is%20most,irritability%20%5B5%2C6%5D ↩↩↩
Xi J, Chen H, Peng ZH et al. Effects of acupuncture on the outcomes of assisted reproductive technology: an overview of systematic reviews. Evid-Based Complement and Alternat Med. 2018;2018:7352735. doi: 10.1155/2018/7352735 ↩
Hassanzadeh Bashtian M, Latifnejad Roudsari R, Sadeghi R. Effects of acupuncture on anxiety in infertile women: a systematic review of the literature. J Midwifery Reprod Health. 2017;5(1):842-8. doi: 10.22038/jmrh.2016.7949 ↩
Patel A, Sharma PSVN, Kumar P. Application of Mindfulness-Based Psychological Interventions in Infertility. J Hum Reprod Sci. 2020;13(1):3-21. doi: 10.4103/jhrs.JHRS_51_19 ↩
Oron G, Allnutt E, Lackman T et al. A prospective study using Hatha Yoga for stress reduction among women waiting for IVF treatment. Reprod Biomed Online. 2015;30(5):542-8. doi: 10.1016/j.rbmo.2015.01.011 ↩
Holt J, Lord J, Acharya U et al. The effectiveness of foot reflexology in inducing ovulation: a sham-controlled randomised trial. Fertil Steril. 2008;91(6):2514-19. doi: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.fertnstert.2008.04.016 ↩
Building emotional resilience can help you manage these emotions, recover from setbacks and cope with life’s difficulties and uncertainties.
What is resilience?
‘Resilience is the process of adapting well in the face of adversity, trauma, tragedy, threats or significant sources of stress.’1
Being resilient does not mean avoiding feelings of stress or emotional pain – rather, it is adapting to difficult or unexpected circumstances and bouncing back from the experience.
Resilience improves your wellbeing
Concerning fertility, research has shown that higher levels of resilience among couples struggling with fertility are associated with enhanced quality of life and emotional stability, as well as lower fertility-related distress.2
Beyond helping you cope during fertility treatment, building resilience can have a positive impact on your overall health and wellbeing, leading to3:
Fewer depressive symptoms
Improved adaptation to stress
Enhanced ability to cope during distressing experiences
Improved physical health.
Practices to build your resilience
Like progressively strengthening a muscle, you can learn to become more resilient to life’s challenges over time. Here are some examples that may help.
Grow supportive connections
Drawing on the support of those around you, including your partner (where applicable), family or friends, can help share the emotional load of your experience as you continue with your fertility treatment.4 Help is a two-way street – in addition to accepting help, supporting your loved ones through difficult moments can help you feel connected to others while giving you a sense of satisfaction, in turn strengthening your resilience. Small and simple gestures like checking in with a friend or lending an empathetic ear while others are dealing with stress can also distract you from an inward focus where you feel stuck in your own problems.
Manage uncertainty
During fertility counselling sessions, we often dive into how to navigate feelings of uncertainty and lack of control that can be experienced during fertility treatment. This is because learning how to accept uncertainty – not just during fertility treatment but throughout life in general – can help develop resilience.
But merely accepting the unpredictability and ‘unknowns’ of your fertility care is not an easy thing to do, which is why we recommend practising mindfulness. Instead of latching onto feelings of uncertainty when these thoughts arise, acknowledge their existence and try to move through these feelings. This is one of the hardest things to do, so be kind to yourself while you work on this.
Set small, achievable goals
The pride and sense of accomplishment you feel when achieving a goal is motivating and energising, helping you to feel more optimistic. Research has shown that breaking down your overarching goal into smaller short-term goals can help reframe your mindset while also relieving feelings of disappointment after a negative fertility treatment cycle.4
So ensuring that your goals are achievable is a great way to build resilience. In this instance, the importance is not the goal itself but the process of setting small goals and noticing your progress.
Break down each step in your fertility treatment cycle into mini-goals – this might include taking your hormone injections each day, completing your blood tests and scans, having your embryo transfer or intrauterine insemination procedure, or getting through each day of the two-week wait before finding out whether the treatment resulted in the outcome you were hoping for.
Sprinkle in some joy
There can be moments of sadness and loss when trying to conceive, which can make it harder to appreciate other joys in life, particularly if your fertility journey is regularly on your mind (as it’s very easy for treatment to become a sole focus).
Try to maintain some ‘normality’ in your life by engaging in activities that bring you joy.4 Humour is also effective in helping to develop a more resilient nature, so exploring activities that make you laugh while giving you a break from treatment can help you stay connected to day-to-day life.
Take the time to reflect
Think back on obstacles that you have previously overcome and recognise that you have already been developing resilience over the years, perhaps without knowing it. Reflect on past situations that have caused you stress, grief or trauma and ask yourself:
What worked in helping you to cope during these times?
What didn’t work well?
Who were the best people to help you at those times?
Take these learnings with you on your fertility journey and draw on them when working through any disappointing or unexpected outcomes.
Connect with our supportive counselling team
Our compassionate Newlife IVF counsellors are here to guide you through every step of your journey.
At Newlife IVF, we are committed to supporting our patients the best we can, which includes providing you with additional counselling sessions at no extra cost. To book an appointment with one of our counsellors, call (03) 8080 8933 or email us at [email protected]. And to make things easy for you, we are more than happy to consult with you over the phone so you don’t have to take time off work.
We also offer our TLC group support sessions to help you overcome feelings of isolation during treatment and improve your connection with others. Please email [email protected] for upcoming meetings.
Remember, you have made it through rough times before. You’ve got this.
References
American Psychological Association. Building your resilience. American Psychological Association. 2020. Accessed 20249. https://www.apa.org/topics/resilience ↩
Herrmann D, Scherg H, Verres R et al. Resilience in infertile couples acts as a protective factor against infertility-specific distress and impaired quality of life. J Assist Reprod Genet. 2011;28(11):1111–1117. doi:10.1007/s10815-011-9637-2 ↩
Quyen G, Vandelanotte C, Cope K, et al. The association of resilience with depression, anxiety, stress and physical activity during the COVID-19 pandemic. BMC Public Health. 2022;22. ↩
Bailey A, Ellis-Caird H, Croft C. Living through unsuccessful conception attempts: a grounded theory of resilience among women undergoing fertility treatment. J Reprod Infant Psychol. 2017 Sep;35(4),324–333. https://doi.org/10.1080/02646838.2017.1320366 ↩↩↩
It’s a proud moment for us because when we established our clinic four years ago, we set out to provide patients with the highest standard of fertility care.
‘When starting Newlife IVF, I was very conscious of the people I surrounded myself with – I wanted to work alongside people who had been practising in their respective fields for many years and had significant experience, but who saw and wanted an opportunity to do things differently and injected our shared values into our work,’ said Dr Tiki Osianlis, Newlife IVF’s Managing Director and Scientific Director.
And we did just that! Our six founding doctors, including Dr Osianlis, Dr Chris Russell, Dr Nicole Hope, Dr Sameer Jatkar, Dr Hugo Fernandes and Associate Professor Martin Healey, already had a wealth of knowledge and experience at the time. So, they paired their expertise with a unique offering for the TTC (trying to conceive) community, centred around a more personalised, caring and supportive experience for couples and individuals wanting to begin or expand their families. Their intention was to create a service that enabled them to navigate the fertility journey alongside their patients.
Staying true to this ethos has propelled Newlife IVF to where it is today – four years of scientific excellence accompanied by the gift of new life (1,000 new lives, to be exact!).
Helping others grow their families is what we do best
We’re pretty chuffed to have reached this momentous occasion. So, too, are the new parents of our 1,000th baby, Jess T and Luke.
‘We feel so privileged to be a part of this incredible milestone! It is amazing to think of how many families have been created thanks to Newlife IVF, and we will be forever thankful to count ourselves and our precious baby Liam among that number,’ said Jess T.
Like many parents-to-be, Jess T and Luke’s fertility journey came with challenges. ‘We had been trying to conceive for over a year without any success, including an early miscarriage. Friends of ours had also experienced infertility and recommended Dr Chris Russell and Newlife IVF. From our first consultation with Chris, we immediately felt like we were in good hands and that this would be our best chance to fulfil our dream of starting a family,’ she said.
It’s no secret that the path to parenthood is peppered with emotional highs and lows. For this reason, our team go above and beyond to help our patients feel supported, empowered, informed and in control throughout every step of their fertility journey.
‘Chris always made Luke and I feel like valued patients. He respected our input and preferences, and we always left our appointments feeling comfortable about the next course of action. Our counsellor also helped to put my mind at ease throughout my IVF journey. It was comforting knowing that I had extra support if I needed it,’ said Jess T.
Fertility treatment is more than just science
Fertility care hinges on more than just using the latest scientific tools and techniques (although we have those, too!). Rather, an exceptional fertility experience involves developing an empathetic and trustworthy relationship with your fertility provider. Just ask Jess S and Tim, who have recently conceived their third IVF baby with help from Dr Russell and the Newlife IVF team. In fact, they’ve been with us from the very beginning.
‘When we began our fertility journey with Chris, we didn’t know Newlife was only a month old. The care and support we received from the whole team was nothing short of exceptional. We always felt like we were in good hands’, said Jess S.
‘When we first saw Chris, we were so overwhelmed with grief and fear of potentially never being able to have a baby. We didn’t understand what was ahead of us. Chris was kind, gentle and understanding of all these emotions,’ she said.
The patient-doctor relationship grew from strength to strength, with Jess S and Tim returning to our clinic for babies two and three.
‘There was so much fear and anxiety when we first started the IVF process. But the staff at Newlife were so supportive and encouraging. The care and advocacy they provided was above and beyond. When we returned for our second and third transfers, we knew we would be looked after each time. And we were! Every time we’ve gone back to see Chris, it felt like we never left. He knew our journey, understood what we wanted for our family and supported us. I’m now halfway through my third pregnancy and feel like part of the furniture,’ said Jess S.
Empathy lies at the heart of Newlife IVF
So it’s been four years of Newlife IVF, with 1,000 babies born, and many more to go. We feel extremely privileged to be part of our patients’ fertility journeys and are proud of all that we’ve achieved for them.
‘It’s immensely rewarding to help any patient achieve their dream family, but to help Jess and Tim have three babies in quick succession, and 1,000 babies in all over our first four years, really highlights the excellence that we are aiming for and achieving at Newlife IVF,’ said Dr Russell.
As we continue doing what we do best (building families and supporting our patients), we remain dedicated to offering you a more personalised, caring and supportive experience to bring you joy at the end of your journey with us.
So, here’s to the next thousand and all that follow thereafter!
Egg collection (also referred to as ‘egg retrieval’ or ‘egg pickup’) is the process by which we collect eggs from your ovaries. The eggs collected can then be frozen and stored, or used in the next step of an IVF cycle. Usually, we will be able to collect around 8–12 eggs but this is dependent on multiple factors, including your age.
Sometimes, you may need to undergo more than one egg collection, so we have a good quantity of eggs available (in the double digits is ideal). The number of eggs is important, whether you are freezing your eggs for potential use in later life, or whether you are moving on to the next step in the IVF process straightaway.
How do I prepare for my egg collection?
Two weeks before your egg collection
You will require regular hormone injections for around 8–14 days before your egg retrieval. This varies based on how your body is responding to the fertility medications and which regimen your fertility specialist decides is best for you. These injections encourage the maturation of eggs that would otherwise deteriorate. This is important as only mature eggs are capable of fertilisation when combined with sperm (an egg and sperm must successfully unite in order for an embryo to form).
While injections can sound painful and daunting, the needles are very small and easy to use. We will teach you (or a partner or another preferred person) how to give the injections at home.
You can read more about how we stimulate the ovaries to produce mature eggs here.
The week prior to egg collection
Ultrasound imaging is used during fertility treatment to track the development of ovarian follicles.
About a week after you start these medications, you will have a vaginal ultrasound so we can view your ovaries and count the number of follicles present. Usually, each follicle will contain one egg. The number of follicles gives us a good idea of how well you are responding to the fertility medications, while the size of the follicles is a good indicator of egg maturity. Unfortunately, small follicles usually contain immature eggs, which can be difficult to retrieve – they tend to stick to the follicle wall during collection. Thus, we may need to adjust your fertility medications to encourage more growth.
Ultrasound and blood tests also help us to determine the best time to collect your eggs. As such, these tests will be performed over the course of this week with the exact timing of your egg collection updated in line with your results. This change in schedule can sometimes be frustrating for patients, particularly in the midst of work commitments, but it ensures we are collecting your eggs at the optimal time in terms of both egg quantity and quality – the more mature eggs, the better!
1–2 days before your egg collection
Around 35–36 hours before your scheduled egg collection, you will have a ‘trigger injection’. This is a different hormone medication and will trigger ovulation (the release of eggs from your ovaries).
We will also ask you to fast from 6 hours before the time of your scheduled procedure (this reduces the risk of nausea and vomiting later).
Morning of your egg collection
On the morning of your egg collection, you may feel both excited and nervous – and hungry (!) from fasting. There are just a few things we need you to remember:
Continue to eat and drink nothing. Small sips of clear fluids are okay up to 2 hours before your procedure
Brush your teeth – we understand the last thing you want to do is to break our ‘nothing to drink’ rule but it’s okay to brush your teeth!
Wear loose fitting, comfortable clothing
Do not wear any makeup or jewellery, and
Confirm the availability of the person you have organised to drive you home after your procedure and to ideally spend the rest of the day with you while your sedation wears off.
What will happen when I arrive for my egg collection?
On arrival, please make your way to our Ground Floor reception to complete your admissions paperwork. We will then guide you through to a waiting area where you can change into a hospital gown. There will usually be a period of waiting at this point, as we schedule your admission time an hour before your procedure. We recommend bringing a good book or podcast along.
Next, we will discuss the procedure with you, check when you took your trigger injection, answer any last-minute questions you may have, and ensure you understand and feel comfortable with what will happen next.
When it’s time for your procedure, we will guide you through to the procedure room and give you some light sedation. Once the sedation has kicked in (you will feel drowsy and relaxed), we will insert an ultrasound probe into your vagina. This provides a clear view of your ovaries and the follicles inside them (the eggs are located inside these follicles). We will then guide a fine needle attached to the probe into each of the follicles, one at a time. A suction device attached to the needle drives the fluid inside the follicle up the needle and into a heated test tube. This entire process takes around 20–30 minutes.
During the egg retrieval procedure, fluid is collected from ovarian follicles, which contain eggs (the dark, circular spots).
The fluid collected is taken straight through to our lab for examination by one of our embryologists. Under a microscope, they can carefully identify the eggs and discard the fluid. Our lab is directly adjacent to our day surgery so your eggs don’t have very far to travel!
If your egg collection is for the purposes of egg freezing, any mature eggs we find will be frozen and stored within a few hours of your procedure. If your egg collection is part of an IVF cycle, we may also freeze the mature eggs for use at a later date. Alternatively, we may proceed to the next step of the IVF process straightaway, placing your eggs with specially-prepared sperm from your partner or donor (this is called ‘insemination’).
Depending on how many eggs were collected and the volume of sperm available, 1–2 eggs will each be placed in a petri dish with a concentrated sperm sample containing around 100,000 sperm! Ideally, each egg will be fertilised by a single sperm, with every normally fertilised egg having the potential to grow and develop further into an embryo. However, it’s important to note that not every egg we collect will be mature, and not every mature egg placed with sperm will be fertilised. Hence, by collecting multiple eggs, we increase the chances of success at this step in the IVF process. You can read more about fertilisation and what impacts its success here.
What happens after my egg retrieval?
Around 90 minutes after your procedure, your designated person can take you home. Before you leave, let us know if you need a medical certificate. We recommend taking it easy for the rest of the day.
If you are planning to freeze your eggs, we will generally call you later that day to tell you how many mature eggs were collected. If we are proceeding with insemination, we will usually call you the next day instead, so we can also tell you how many of these eggs were successfully fertilised overnight. Any fertilised eggs will be placed in an incubator in our lab. Here, their development will be monitored closely with the hope that they continue to grow into healthy embryos, ready for the next step in the IVF process – embryo transfer.
How can I best support my recovery after an egg collection?
Most women will experience some mild pain or discomfort after an egg collection and it may take weeks for this discomfort to ease completely. To help support your recovery, we recommend:
Placing a heat pack over your belly and resting if you’re experiencing any cramping or discomfort. If your pain continues, take some paracetamol. Note: do not take any antihistamines, ibuprofen, aspirin or non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medications if you are planning to have an embryo transfer
Consuming clear fluids if you are nauseous until you feel better
Looking out for any vaginal bleeding (but don’t worry if you notice some light spotting or bleeding for a few days – this is completely normal)
Avoiding vaginal creams, lubricants or spermicides (aside from the progesterone cream we may have given you)
Avoiding all heavy lifting or vigorous exercise such as running or cycling for a few weeks
Staying away from hot tubs and Jacuzzis
Limiting your caffeine and alcohol intake
Avoiding intercourse for a few days or until you feel comfortable. Engaging in intercourse around this time can result in natural conception; however, it’s important to listen to your body and only do what it feels physically ready for.
Are there any symptoms I should watch out for?
There are a few symptoms to watch out for after this procedure, including fever; pain, nausea or vomiting that’s not improving; heavy vaginal bleeding; feeling overly weak, faint or dizzy; shortness of breath; pain in your shoulder area; severe stomach bloating; rapid weight gain; or little to no urination despite drinking plenty of water.
If you are concerned or worried about anything you are experiencing, please call our clinic for advice on (03) 8080 8933. Alternatively, you can contact your fertility specialist. After-hours, you should visit your closest emergency department.
Still got questions?
If you have an upcoming egg collection booked and still have questions, don’t hesitate to give us a call on (03) 8080 8933. If you’re interested in learning more about egg freezing or IVF, check out the rest of our website for further information. For personalised advice, you can also book an appointment with one of our fertility specialists.
Now, more than ever, couples and individuals are using fertility treatments such as IVF to begin or expand their families. In fact, 1 in 18 babies born in Australia are now conceived using IVF (as reported in 2020).1 Practically, this represents one to two children in every classroom.
Given the steady rise in IVF use throughout recent years, we must gain a deeper understanding of the long-term outcomes for these children, particularly regarding their developmental and educational milestones. Therefore, as part of my PhD research, I sought to discover if IVF-conceived children were at greater risk of developmental and educational delays than naturally conceived children.
The scientific proof is in the pudding
In the largest IVF-related Australian study, we assessed the schooling outcomes of 412,713 children aged between four and nine years (born between 2005 and 2014). The Australian Early Developmental Census (AEDC) – which examines physical health and wellbeing, social competence, emotional maturity, language and cognitive skills, communication skills and general knowledge – was used to assess developmental trends in children at school entry. Additionally, the National Assessment Program–Literacy and Numeracy (NAPLAN) test measured educational outcomes such as grammar and punctuation, reading, writing, spelling and numeracy, in grade 3.
The results from our study are reassuring to current and prospective parents and fertility specialists – we found equal developmental and educational outcomes between IVF and naturally conceived children. In fact, our findings indicated that IVF-conceived children performed slightly better in one learning domain, demonstrating they are more adept at writing than their peers.2 This suggests that school-based achievement is not adversely affected by IVF status.
Further to this, our results contradict previous studies that reported poorer school performance among IVF-conceived children. However, it’s worth noting that IVF technologies have evolved and advanced considerably since these studies, which date back to 2001. Therefore, our findings are more generalisable to modern-day fertility practice.
Results that set your mind at ease
Worry and anxiety are common in parenthood. However, these reassuring findings provide current and prospective parents with one less cause for concern. This robust analysis and large dataset have shown no link between IVF conception and adverse developmental outcomes for school-aged children, confirming that Australian IVF children have the same early childhood and schooling outcomes as their peers. While further research is needed to explore other long-term implications for IVF children, these results are encouraging and a good news story overall.
Newman JE, Paul RC, Chambers GM. Assisted reproductive technology in Australia and New Zealand 2020. Sydney: National Perinatal Epidemiology and Statistics Unit, the University of New South Wales, Sydney, 2022. ↩︎
Kennedy AL, Vollenhoven BJ, Hiscock RJ, et al. School-age outcomes among IVF-conceived children: A population-wide cohort study. PLoS Med, 2023;20(1): e1004148. doi: 10.1371/journal.pmed.1004148 ↩︎
Assuming you are relatively healthy, your immune system is already capable of preventing you from getting an infection most of the time. Occasionally, however, bacteria or viruses do overwhelm our immune defences and we get sick. When faced with the possibility of coming into contact with a strong virus like COVID-19, the idea of boosting one’s immunity is even more attractive than usual, particularly if you are looking to fall pregnant. We all want a strong immune system that is well-primed to defend us from any harmful infections that may be lingering in the community. Unfortunately, research has not identified any single lifestyle strategy, supplement or food with the ability to strengthen the body’s immune defences. This means that if you are healthy, your immune system is probably already as ‘boosted’ as it’s going to get. That being said, if you shift your focus to giving your immune system everything it needs to ‘stay boosted’, there is still plenty you can do. Other than following the latest hygiene and social distancing recommendations, maintaining a healthy diet and lifestyle will enable your immune system to function at its best.
What can I do to stay healthy?
You can support your overall health and give yourself the best chance of staying well by following these tips:
Diet
Although ‘comfort foods’ may tempt you during this time, maintaining a nutritious diet has never been more important. Deficiencies in nutrients such as zinc, iron, and vitamins C, A and E may impact your immune system’s ability to protect you. For this reason, foods that help ‘boost’ your immune system are simply those that allow you to get the nutrients you need. Enjoy a wide variety of vegetables, wholegrains, fruits and protein-rich foods such as lean meats, reduced fat dairy products, legumes, nuts and seeds. For more information on how to eat right, download the Australian Dietary Guidelines Healthy Eating brochures. While it is always best to try and improve your dietary habits first, if your day-to-day diet is lacking in micronutrients, a women’s multivitamin may be of benefit. Of course, if you are planning a pregnancy, you should already be taking a pregnancy supplement containing at least 400mcg of folate.
Vitamin D
For many of us, staying home has meant less time in the sun, leading to fewer opportunities to make vitamin D. Known as the ‘sunshine vitamin’, this important vitamin is produced when your skin is exposed to sunlight. As we head into the cooler months, deficiency becomes more common. In fact, approximately 50% of Australian women are deficient in vitamin D during winter.1 As vitamin D deficiency has been shown to increase the risk of respiratory infections2, correcting a deficiency may, in effect, ‘boost’ your immunity. If you aren’t able to consistently meet the sun exposure guidelines for adequate vitamin D, or you haven’t met them for a while, we suggest you speak to your GP about whether or not you meet the criteria for getting your vitamin D level checked.
Exercise
While Netflix is an appealing way to pass the time as you #stayhome, maintaining a regular exercise routine will promote your general health and support your immune system. Resist the pull of the couch and make sure you engage in at least 30 minutes of moderate exercise 3-4 times a week. Go for a jog, bike ride or brisk walk in the park, or see if your local gym is currently offering online classes instead. Just make sure you observe social distancing recommendations if you’re exercising outside and stay at least 1.5 metres away from people who are not part of your household. For in-home exercise, you may like to try an app called Daily Yoga which is great for building strength, stretching and relaxation.
Stress management
It is common (and absolutely normal) to feel stressed and anxious at this time. Unfortunately, research does indicate that persistent stress may impair your immune system’s ability to defend you. In this case, the best way to help your immune system ‘stay boosted’ is to reduce the level of stress and anxiety you are feeling. Try these techniques to get you started, but if you are struggling and need additional support, know you’re not alone. As a Newlife patient, you are always welcome to reach out to Newlife’s team of specialist counsellors. A quick phone or Zoom chat may be all you need to unpack your ‘mental load’ and quell the frustrations that come with isolation.
Sleep
Studies indicate that inadequate sleep can increase your risk of getting sick if you are exposed to a virus such as the common cold (however, note that there is currently no evidence relating to COVID-19 and sleep). Aim for the recommended 7 to 9 hours per night, and use these tips to get a better night’s sleep. If you are having trouble sleeping because you are stressed, finding ways to actively reduce your stress level will naturally help improve your sleep and ‘boost’ your immunity.
When to get help
If you are feeling anxious and overwhelmed, or are worried about the implications of delaying or pausing your fertility treatment because of COVID-19, we are here for you. Get in touch with our team by calling (03) 8080 8933 or emailing [email protected]. We’ll be able to direct you to one of our fertility specialists, nurses or counsellors for further support as appropriate. In the meantime, here’s to staying safe and staying well.
In vitro fertilisation (IVF) is the most widely known fertility treatment, but it is not the only option available to help couples with fertility issues. This is due to the fact that there are many different reasons why an individual or couple may be experiencing fertility problems and treatment should be tailored accordingly. Thus, fertility treatment actually encompasses quite a wide range of methods, each of which can help people to overcome specific challenges and ultimately, conceive. We explain the different options below, including when they might be suitable.
First-line treatments
Ovulation induction
Ovulation induction may be recommended for women who are not ovulating regularly or who are not ovulating at all, and is commonly used for those suffering from polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS).
As its name suggests, ovulation induction involves the woman taking medication to increase the level of follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) that causes ovulation. These medications may be in the form of tablets (clomiphene or letrozole) or direct injections of FSH. This stimulates the growth of ovarian follicles (fluid-filled sacs containing an egg). Once the follicles are large enough, another hormone is then given to release the egg from the follicle. Couples are advised to have intercourse at this time to increase their chances of conceiving.
Intrauterine insemination (IUI)
Intrauterine insemination (also known as artificial insemination) may be considered when a couple has difficulty having intercourse. It may also be appropriate for women with scarring or defects of the cervix that prevent sperm penetration, and for men with mild reductions in either sperm count or sperm motility (i.e. sperm that don’t move properly) where concentrating the semen sample and placing it in the uterus is likely to be of benefit. IUI may be used in combination with medications that stimulate ovulation – this combination can increase the chance of pregnancy in some cases.
During a treatment cycle, patients are monitored closely with blood tests and ultrasounds. At the time of ovulation, sperm are placed directly through the woman’s cervix and into her uterus (womb) using a long, thin plastic tube that is similar to a straw (hence, the name artificial insemination).
Laboratory treatments
In vitro fertilisation (IVF)
IVF is a form of assisted reproductive technology (ART) in which eggs are retrieved from the body of a woman and combined with sperm outside the body to achieve fertilisation. If this is successful and the fertilised egg continues to develop into an embryo, it is transferred back into the uterus (womb) in the hope that it will implant and grow, thereby achieving a pregnancy.
Intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI)
ICSI is a technique where a single sperm is directly injected into an egg to achieve fertilisation. This technique may be recommended when the male partner in a couple has been diagnosed with fertility issues such as low sperm count, abnormal sperm morphology (shape) or motility (movement), has had a previous vasectomy or an unsuccessful vasectomy reversal. The ‘best’ sperm – based on size, shape and movement – is selected for the ICSI procedure.
Sperm retrieval procedures
Some men have no sperm in their semen (a condition known as azoospermia) due to a sperm production problem or a blockage that prevents the sperm from getting into the semen. These men may need to have sperm taken directly from the testis or the epididymis (a coiled tube that stores sperm and transports it from the testis).
Testicular sperm aspiration (TESA) is done by inserting a needle into the testis and taking a small amount of material from the seminiferous tubules – a network of tiny tubes where sperm is produced. The procedure is done using local anaesthesia in an operating theatre.
Percutaneous epididymal sperm aspiration (PESA) can be an option for men who have obstructive azoospermia from a previous vasectomy or infection. Under local anaesthesia, a small needle is inserted into the epididymis to extract sperm. PESA is also usually performed in an operating theatre.
Microdissection TESE (microTESE) may be used for men who have a sperm production problem. This procedure is done under general anaesthetic. The testis is first opened with a small incision, then an operating microscope is used to identify the seminiferous tubules most likely to contain sperm and take tissue samples from them.
Pre-implantation genetic testing (PGT)
PGT is a way to reduce the risk of an individual or a couple passing on a specific genetic or chromosomal abnormality to their child. It may also be used to check for genetic problems in older women (e.g. over the age of 38 years), women who have experienced several miscarriages, or cases of repeated IVF failure.
In PGT, embryos are produced through the usual IVF process and then cells taken from the embryo are tested for genetic conditions. If the embryo is unaffected, it is then transferred to the woman’s uterus.
Egg or sperm freezing
There are two main reasons for freezing eggs. Some women need to freeze their eggs for medical reasons such as impaired ovarian function or impending chemotherapy or radiotherapy for cancer. Other women choose to freeze their eggs because they want to give themselves the option to have children in later years.
A man may be advised to freeze his sperm if he is about to undergo treatment for cancer, or if he has decided to have a vasectomy but may potentially want to have children later on. Men also can freeze sperm prior to either IUI or IVF if they cannot be present on the day scheduled for the respective ART procedure.
Donor treatments
Donor insemination
Donor insemination may be used as part of IVF for a single woman or for women in a same-sex relationship. The process is the same as artificial insemination, but the sperm used is from a donor rather than a male partner.
Donor insemination may be considered when the male partner does not produce sperm (or the sperm is abnormal) or when there is a high risk of the man passing on an illness or abnormality to a child.
Donor eggs
Donor eggs may be an option when a woman is unable to produce eggs or her eggs are of a low quality. This may be due to age or premature ovarian failure (a condition in which a woman stops producing eggs earlier than usual).
Donor eggs may also be appropriate in cases of recurrent miscarriage or if there is a high risk of the woman passing on an illness or abnormality.
Donor embryos
In some cases, some people choose to donate frozen embryos they no longer need. Treatment using these donated embryos may be suitable for a person or a couple who need both donor sperm and donor eggs.
What is the best option for you?
If you would like advice about the next steps to take on your fertility journey, you can make an appointment with one of our fertility specialists by calling Newlife IVF on (03) 8080 8933 or by booking online via our appointments page. We’ll complete a comprehensive assessment before explaining the options available to you and your partner.
What is IVF and how does it work?
