FAQ - IVF - In Vitro Fertilization

While a trilaminar lining is preferred, sometimes there are cases where we will recommend transferring without it being trilaminar.

Frozen transfers usually happen approximately 3-4 weeks after retrieval, depending on when your post-retrieval menses starts.

You will call with cycle day 1 and be given a date for baselines. Once those results come in, a nurse will call you to provide you with steps for starting your medications. The nurse will give you a date to go have your lining checked via ultrasound and to have another set of labs (roughly a week after you start medications.)  Typically, once your lining has reached a thickness of 8.0mm or greater and shows a trilaminar pattern, we will schedule your transfer though there are times when you may be encouraged to transfer outside those parameters based on the advice of our providers. We typically will have a few dates to choose from but sometimes, based on your lab work, we may need it to fall on a specific date and will advise you of that at the time of your lining check. At the time your transfer is scheduled, you will be advised of any new medications to begin, such as progesterone or other adjuncts.

A fresh semen sample is ideal, where possible, for your treatment cycle. Prior to the date of collection (either your egg retrieval, IUI, or egg thaw,) your partner should abstain for 2-5 days.

Dr. Kiltz strongly encourages a “low and slow” approach, keeping the body at a state of rest and avoiding any strenuous exercise.

Yes!

Inflammation and immune issues can be contributing factors in infertility. Dr. Kiltz always recommends adding our full immune protocol which may include Low Dose Naltrexone (considered a “miracle drug” that simply reduces inflammation,) Intralipid Infusions, Neupogen, Lovenox injections, oral prednisone, low-dose aspirin, Prograf, Plaquinil, PRP (platelet-rich plasma), and HCG washes to your cycles. Additional potential immune treatments like Humira, IVIG, and cannabinoid oil (CBD) may also be recommended.

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Medications used for IVF may include: Gonal-F/Follistim (FSH), Menopur (HMG), HCG-LH Supplement, Cetrotide/Ganirelix, Letrozole, Low Dose Naltrexone (LDN), Z-Pak, Prednisone, Omnitrope (HGH), Lupron Acetate Trigger, HCG Trigger, and prenatal vitamins.

Medications used for embryo transfer may include: Estrace, Z-Pak, LDN, Prednisone, low-dose aspirin, Prograf, Endometrin, Progesterone in Oil, and prenatal vitamins.

Yes, you will need someone to accompany you to your procedure, be available to receive your post-procedure instructions, and see to it that you arrive back home or to your hotel safely.

Our Syracuse, Albany, Buffalo, and Colorado Springs offices perform all IVF retrievals/transfers and other major fertility procedures.  To learn more about doing IVF, Tubal Reversals, Donor Egg IVF or other fertility treatments at CNY when you don’t live near one of our retrieval and transfer centers, check out our Traveling for Fertility Treatment page.

Mini IVF is very similar to (normal) IVF, only with a reduced medication protocol. The cost of the mini IVF treatment is the same as standard IVF, but there is a substantial reduction in the cost of medications.

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All of our offices see patients that are doing IVF; however, all retrievals and transfers take place at our Syracuse, Albany, Buffalo, or Colorado Springs offices. 

YES, please give all medications prior to your appointment except your vaginal medication if you are doing a morning transfer. If your embryo transfer is scheduled to happen first thing in the morning you may hold off on your morning vaginal medications until after your transfer.  If your embryo transfer is scheduled to happen in the afternoon, you may take your morning vaginal medications.

The number of embryos to be transferred will be determined by you, the physician and the embryologist prior to the embryo transfer so as to maximize the possibility of pregnancy and minimize the risk of multiple gestations.  Patient age, infertility factor(s), embryo quality, previous failed cycles, and other factors are taken into account.  Multiple pregnancies can be devastating to the health of both mother and children.  In an effort to curtail the problem, national guidelines published by the Practice Committee of the Society in Assisted  Reproductive  Technologies (SART) of the American Society for Reproductive Medicine (ASRM) recommend limits on the number of embryos to transfer of which we adhere to.

No after an embryo transfer, you may resume your normal daily activities. Comprehensive studies have confirmed that bed rest may actually be harmful to the developing embryo since inactivity combined with high levels of estrogen can promote blood clot formation as well as a rise in insulin resistance.  Of course, we recommend restraining from any and all intense exercise like cross fit, sports, running, and jumping. However, nice brisk walks should be continued and a nice way to connect and spend time with your partner or enjoy some nice quiet you time!

Yes, we do. Mini IVF is really the same procedure as (normal) IVF, only with a reduced medication protocol. Therefore the cost of Mini IVF is still $3,900, but you would see a substantial reduction in the cost of your medications which can make a cycle much more affordable.  Of course, a Mini IVF isn’t just a financial decision, it can also be medically useful for those who are “poor responders,” to medication and therefore don’t benefit from high doses of medications often used in a traditional IVF. Additionally, many would normally make many embryos from a traditional IVF cycle would prefer to create fewer embryos with the hope that they do not have to make the difficult decision of what to do with remaining embryos after a successful IVF cycle.

Blastocyst embryos (usually day 5, but also 6 and 7) are more developed and thus stronger, more resilient, and generally have a better chance of a successful implantation.  This does not mean whatsoever that day 3 (cleavage) embryos cannot and do not make the most beautiful babies.  Generally, if you have plenty of embryos that are developing well we let them continue to day 5 before transferring or freezing. If the number and quality of developing embryos is lower, then we highly recommend doing day 3 transfers as no home (regardless of how great our embryology lab is) is better than your uterus for that developing embryo and future child of yours.