In Vitro Fertilisation (IVF)

The abbreviation IVF stands for "in vitro fertilisation". This is an assisted reproductive technique in which the egg and sperm are combined outside the body in the laboratory to achieve pregnancy.

IVF is recommended for couples dealing with severe fertility issues, recurrent miscarriages, or when other fertility treatments have not succeeded. This advanced approach provides hope for achieving pregnancy when other methods have not been effective.

Success rates for IVF vary based on factors such as age, the underlying cause of infertility, and the health of the eggs and sperm involved. Generally, success rates per cycle range from 20% to 40%, with individual variations. Our specialists can offer a realistic assessment based on your specific circumstances.

At Cada, the total cost for one IVF treatment cycle ranges from CHF 6,200 to CHF 6,900, depending on the medications needed. For ICSI, the cost per cycle is between CHF 7,100 and CHF 7,800, again depending on medication.

In Switzerland, basic health insurance plans unfortunately do not cover the costs of IVF or ICSI. However, some supplementary insurance plans may reimburse a portion of these costs. It's important to note that such supplementary insurance typically needs to be purchased at least 24 months before treatment.

At Cada, we typically transfer only one embryo, which significantly reduces the risk of multiple pregnancies to less than 1%. In rare cases, the transferred embryo may split, leading to identical twins.

The requirements for IVF treatment can vary, but typically the following criteria must be met:

1. Diagnosis of infertility: An accurate diagnosis of infertility is necessary to understand the causes.

2. Ovarian reserve: The woman should have a sufficient ovarian reserve.

3. Uterine health: The uterus should be healthy and receptive to pregnancy.

4. Sperm quality: High-quality sperm from the partner or a donor is critical.

5. Overall health: The general health of both partners influences the outcome.

In most cases, preparation with medication is required for IVF treatment. This includes the administration of hormones to promote egg maturation, GnRH analogs to regulate the cycle and an hCG injection complete egg maturation. The exact drug preparation varies depending on the individual treatment plan. There is also the option of IVF naturelle, which involves minimal or no medication, relying on the body's natural cycle.

No, the hormones used in IVF treatment do not have any negative long-term effects on your fertility. They only influence the current cycle.

Most side effects are mild and subside on their own after a short time. While ovarian hyperstimulation can be unpleasant, it is usually easy to treat. Only in very rare cases (less than 1%) may hospital treatment be necessary.

Various side effects can occur during stimulation, including mood swings that may make you more emotional than usual. You might experience slight breast tenderness or abdominal discomfort similar to menstrual symptoms. Occasionally, headaches may occur. Redness, swelling, or itching at the injection sites can also happen, but these localized reactions are usually harmless and disappear after a short time.

In rare cases, overstimulation of the ovaries can occur. Signs of this include severe abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, and shortness of breath. If you experience any of these symptoms, please contact your doctor immediately.

In Switzerland, there is no uniform legal age limit for IVF treatments. The decision is therefore usually at the discretion of the specialist treating the patient at the respective fertility clinic.

The number of IVF attempts required to achieve a pregnancy varies from person to person. Factors such as the woman's age, the cause of infertility and the response to treatment all play a role. While some may achieve pregnancy on the first attempt, others might require multiple cycles.

The entire IVF process spans several weeks. Following 2-3 weeks of medication and hormonal stimulation, egg retrieval is conducted, which lasts about 20-30 minutes. Post-fertilisation, embryos develop for 3-5 days before being transferred. A pregnancy test is then performed 14 days after the embryo transfer. The total duration can vary depending on individual responses to treatment.

While both IVF and IUI are forms of assisted reproduction, IVF involves fertilising eggs outside the body, and IUI entails placing sperm directly into the uterus to foster natural fertilisation. IVF is more complex and typically used when other methods, including IUI, have not been successful.