Treatments

What is IVF?

IVF is the original 'test-tube' baby technique. It was developed more than 30 years ago for the treatment of women with damaged Fallopian tubes, and this remains an important reason for treatment today.

What is ICSI?

Micromanipulation is a radical method of assisted reproduction. It is one of the most effective procedures, to help men overcome male infertility issues and has helped more and more couples suffering from infertility since 1992. ICSI (Intracytoplasmic Sperm Injection) is beneficial for all couples; however it is significant for those where fertilizatıon may be difficult, even when IVF procedures are used. 

For example, couples dealing with male infertility factors such as — low sperm count, poor motility or movement of the sperm, poor sperm quality, trapped spermatozoa or if the sperm lacks the ability to penetrate the egg membrane. At Kyrenia IVF, the ICSI (Intracytoplasmic Sperm Injection) procedure is carried out as standard as part of all our IVF treatments, to ensure fertilization at no extra charge.

How does IVF work?

All IVF treatments begin with a course of hormone therapy to stimulate the development of several follicles in the ovary. These are collected as eggs, which are then fertilized in a test-tube ('in vitro') to create several embryos. After between two and five days in an incubator, one or two of these embryos are transferred through the vagina to the uterus, where implantation occurs and pregnancy begins. However, in IVF as in natural conception, not every embryo implants to become a pregnancy, which is why surplus embryos are frozen - so that a subsequent transfer might be tried if the first one fails. Freezing is now an essential part of every clinic's IVF program.

IVF Treatment Process

Step 1 – Getting Started

The first step is to discuss our program details with the Patient Coordinators — either by calling or sending an email via our Contact pages. You will be advised in details about the cost of the treatment, tests required and the details of our IVF process. Please use this opportunity to ask any questions, as it is very important for you to understand the treatment process entirely from the beginning to the end (and everything in between). 

Step 2 – Tests

Before starting your IVF treatment, there are several tests that are needed to be carried out, in order for Dr. Verda to assess your fertility levels and prescribe the correct dose of medication that you will need to take before traveling to Cyprus. 

Tests included: 
• Hormone blood tests: FSH (Follicle Stimulating Hormone), AMH (Anti-Mullerian Hormone), TSH (Thyroid Stimulating Hormone), LH (Luteinizing Hormone), E2 and Prolactin 
• Trans-vaginal ultrasound scan: Antral Follicle Count

Once you have the results, you will need to email them to your coordinator. Dr. Verda will go over the test results and confirm, if it is possible to move forward with an IVF treatment. We also ask you to complete and return a medical information form via email.

It is also important for your partner to have a semen analysis carried out before the IVF treatment, to ensure there are no issues with male infertility.

Step 3 – Medication

Medication is prescribed and taken before arriving at Kyrenia IVF. Pre-tests will determine the correct dose. Our IVF specialists will send you a prescription and a medication protocol clearly indicating the proper medication to take and when to take it. The stimulation medication is in the form of subcutaneous injections and is prescribed to stimulate the follicles that contain the eggs and to prevent premature ovulation.

Step 4 – In Cyprus

Initial scan 
Day one of your menstrual cycle marks day one of the treatment process with medication. On day 10 you will fly to Cyprus. The initial scan consists of a trans-vaginal ultrasound to check the development of your follicles. (Dr. Verda may prescribe additional stimulation medication at this stage if necessary). If the eggs are ready, our dedicated nurses will administer an ovulation trigger injection that evening at your hotel. The injection stimulates the final maturation of eggs in the ovaries. The eggs will be then collected 34 to 36 hours after the injection is administered. 

Egg & Sperm Collection 
Our team will inform you regarding the time and the day of the egg collection. Upon arrival at the hospital, a nurse will show you your room and provide you with the garments necessary to wear for the procedure. You will be taken to the operating room where you will be sedated and asleep throughout the entire procedure. (Since you will be sedated you must NOT eat or drink after midnight the previous evening and we will remind you of this when you are in Cyprus). 

Your eggs will be collected under transvaginal ultrasound guidance. A needle is inserted through the vaginal wall into the ovaries using ultrasound to locate each follicle. The follicular fluid is drawn up to obtain the eggs. Generally, the egg retrieval takes 20-30 minutes. You may experience some cramping and light bleeding after the procedure — however this is perfectly normal. You will be able to take a mild painkiller if necessary. 

During the egg collection, our team at Kyrenia IVF will be preparing the sperm sample from your partner (or donor). Abstinence from ejaculation for two to three days prior to providing the semen specimen is recommended. 

Fertilization 
The most motile sperms are selected for fertilization. To ensure fertilization, our team uses the ICSI procedure. This technique involves the insemination of sperm into each egg by micro-injection. Once you have had the appropriate rest, our transfer team will take you back to your hotel. Our doctors will also discuss with you the amount of eggs that were collected and the sperm quality. Our team will also discuss with you any other information regarding the procedures carried out that day. After 24 hours, you will receive an update regarding the fertilization process and the amount of embryos. 

Embryo Transfer 
The embryos are transferred on either day three or day five of development. Our compassionate embryologist is highly skilled in identifying healthy embryos and in some cases will recommend extending embryo development to day five — also known as blastocyst stage. Blastocyst transfer is common in IVF cycles as it can increase the chances for success while decreasing the likelihood of multiples. Dr. Verda will work closely with our Embryologist to determine if a day three or day five transfer is ideal for you.

On transfer day, Dr. Verda will discuss with you the quality and quantity of your embryos. You can then decide how many embryos you wish to have transferred. Again you will be shown to a room and provided with the necessary garments. Embryos are transferred to the uterus through a soft embryo transfer catheter. This painless procedure is similar to a pap smear and does not require any anesthesia. The embryos are placed in a small amount of fluid inside the catheter, which is passed through the cervix at the time of a speculum examination and ultrasound guıdance. The embryos are placed in a position to reach the top part of the uterus. The catheter is removed and checked to ensure that all the embryos have been transferred. You are required to have a full bladder for the transfer procedure and we advise that you begin drinking water on the way to the hospital. After the embryo transfer is complete, your bed will be wheeled from the procedure room into your private room, all while you remain lying flat on your back. Since you must remain as flat as possible, a bed pan will be brought to you by the nurse approximately 15 minutes after the transfer procedure if needed. 

If you desire to use cryopreservation, the good quality embryos that are not transferred can be frozen in liquid nitrogen, carefully labeled and stored in the embryo bank. These can be used in subsequent cycles if pregnancy is not achieved on the first attempt or if you decide to have more children at a later date.

Step 5 – The Result

The most accurate test for pregnancy is the beta HCG blood test — 12 days after the embryo transfer (day 1 being the day after transfer took place). HCG is also known as 'the pregnancy hormone'. The body begins to produce HCG when an embryo begins to implant in the uterus. While we understand many intended parents are anxious to find out the results at home, please wait until day 12. The ovulation trigger injection the nurse administered prior to egg collection contains HCG and if you test too soon you may pick up traces of this and NOT the HCG produced by pregnancy. The injection can remain in your system for 8-10 days so testing too soon may give a false positive. The beta HCG test will report the level of HCG hormone that is present. 

In some cases, it can be difficult to have a blood test carried out. A home pregnancy test will indicate whether or not there is any detectable HCG in your urine and not the level present. Please wait to carry out a home pregnancy test 14 days after the embryo transfer. Please note HCG is present in urine in the highest concentration first thing in the morning. 

If you have a positive result, it is very important that you continue the medication as advised by Dr. Verda. You can also advise your doctor / gynecologist as you will need support and subsequent tests and scans. You should repeat the beta test in 2 to 3 days. The goal is to have the level of HCG doubled every 3 days. If it is needed another beta test should be carried out in another 2-3 days’ time. If all three betas indicate a healthy pregnancy, then a vaginal ultrasound will be scheduled between 6 to 8 weeks of the pregnancy. At that time, your doctor will be looking for a heartbeat and a gestational sac to confirm the pregnancy. If the result is negative and you have had a blood test on day 12, ALL medications should be stopped straight away. If the result is negative and you have carried out a urine test on day 14, we recommend that you continue taking the medication as advised by Dr. Verda for another 2 days and test again. If the result is still negative, ALL medications should cease right away. 

Any negative results on your pregnancy test is devastating — Dr. Verda and the Kyrenia IVF staff are available to answer any questions you have about the procedure and discuss further options for you.

Egg donation program have helped many women around the world on pursuing their dream of motherhood.

Who can benefit from Egg donation Treatment?

• Females with no ovaries
• Females with ovaries who have a failure to produce eggs (situations such as premature menopause).
• Females who are recommended to benefit from the egg donation due to genetic problems.
• Females with damaged ovaries because of radiotherapy, chemotherapy due to reasons like cancer.
• Older females who went through menopause.

Selection of egg donors:

In selecting egg donors, patient must send us their picture, blood group, and fill the form and state her height, weight, ethnicity, etc... At our clinic, we have a very wide range of donors, and multiple nationalities. Cyprus is very well-known for its universities, and students come from all over the world to study & live in Cyprus and this makes us able to have donors from all over the world. Egg donation treatment in Cyprus must be anonymous according to the laws of TRNC.

• Egg donors who are accepted at our clinic, are checked as follows:
• Must be between 19-26 years old
• Chromosomal Analysis Test (Karyotype)
• Hormone blood tests & pelvic scan
• All infectious diseases
• A session with our part-time psychologist at the clinic to make sure the donor has no psychology or mental problems
• No history of mental , and genetic diseases in her family

The needed Medical Tests:

Women Hormone Blood Tests:

• FSH (follicle stimulating hormone)
• TSH (thyroid stimulating hormone)
• E2
• Prolactin

Women Above the age of 45 years old is required to make extra tests to make sure that they are fit for pregnancy and pregnancy doesn’t harm them; these tests are as follows:

• Liver Function: (1) ALT (2) AST
• Kidney Function: (1) Creatinine (2) UREA
• Blood pressure
• Blood Glucose Level
• Cholesterol Level
• Complete Blood Count (CBC)
• Complete Urine Test

Additional to these tests, you will need:

✓ Letter from an internal medicine doctor & Cardiologist confirming that you are fit for pregnancy. These tests can be done in Cyprus; if the patient prefers.

✓Trans-vaginal scan (Ultrasound Scan) for ovarian & uterine assessment Ultrasound Scan:

The purpose of these scans is to measure your response to medication. More precisely, the purpose of the scan is as follows:

• Assessment of endometrial appearance and thickness
• Assessment of uterine conditions (to make sure there are no uterine pathologies that may interfere with our treatment).

Semen Analysis:

A semen analysis helps assess the quality of a sperm sample with respect to key parameters including sperm volume, concentration (count) per mL, motility, morphology, PH and round cell count.

Infectious Diseases Screening:

• Anti-HIV – test for HIV/AIDS infection
• Anti-HCV – test for Hepatitis C virus infection
• Rubella IgG- IgM – test for German measles infection
• CMV IgG – test for Cytomegalovirus infection
• HbsAg – test for Hepatitis B virus infection
• VDRL – test for Syphilis infection
• Anti- Hbs

How to start the treatment:

Step 1

To Read everything carefully and send all of your questions to your coordinator. Please don’t hesitate to ask as many questions as you want. Please know that you have the right to schedule a call or video call at any time, to ask and get to know your coordinator and doctor. We believe the relationship between the doctor & patient is very important, as she will be performing your treatment, this is why you should be relaxed and happy with your doctor. 

Step 2

Fill the application form that is sent to you by your coordinator or you can schedule a call with your coordinator and she will ask you some questions. 

Step 3

Schedule a pelvic scan date with your Gynecologist. Also, you need to make the required Medical Tests. 

Step 4

Send the application form, Medical tests results, and Scan to your coordinator. 

Step 5

Once you have sent your results, within 24 hours, your coordinator will send you an assessment letter from the doctor. This assessment letter will have everything included, about your situation, success rates, best treatment for you, and advices. And matched egg donor profiles are sent as well. 

Step 6

At this time after everything has been organized and the egg donor profiles has been chosen, you will be receiving your medical Treatment protocol and a prescription to start your treatment.

Egg donors and Patients menstruation cycle are synchronized together to have the ability to have a fresh cycle. On the day of the egg donor retrieval patient must be in Cyprus as the partner sperm sample shall be handed.

Initial scan

Day one of your menstrual cycle marks day one of the treatment process with medications. On day 12 (which is the expected date for the egg donor to retrieve the eggs) you will fly to Cyprus. Your coordinator will be in touch to advise your pick-up time for the appointments in Cyprus. The initial scan consists of a trans-vaginal ultrasound to check the development of your follicles. (Dr. Verda may prescribe additional stimulation medications at this stage if necessary). 

Egg & Sperm Collection

Our team will advise you of your pick-up time and  day of egg donor collection. During the eggs collection, our team at Kyrenia IVF,we will be preparing the sperm sample from your partner (or donor). Abstinence from ejaculation for two to three days prior to providing the semen specimen is recommended. 

Fertilization

The most motile sperms are selected for fertilization. To ensure fertilization, our team uses the ICSI procedure. This technique involves the insemination of sperm into each egg by micro-injection. Once you have had the appropriate rest, our transfer team will take you back to your hotel. Our doctors will also discuss with you the amount of eggs that were collected and the sperm quality. Our team will also discuss with you any other information regarding the procedures carried out that day. After 24 hours, you will receive an update regarding the fertilization process and the amount of embryos. 

Embryo Transfer

The embryos are transferred on either day three or day five of their development. Our compassionate embryologist is highly skilled in identifying healthy embryos and in some cases will recommend extending embryo development to day five — also known as blastocyst stage. Blastocyst transfer is common in IVF cycles as it can increase the chances of success while decreasing the likelihood of multiples. Dr. Verda will work closely with our Embryologist to determine if a day three or day five transfer is ideal for you. On transfer day, Dr. Verda will discuss with you the quality and quantity of your embryos. You can then decide how many embryos you wish to have transferred. Again you will be shown to a room and provided with the necessary garments. Embryos are transferred to the uterus through a soft embryo transfer catheter. This painless procedure is similar to a pap smear and does not require any anesthesia. The embryos are placed in a small amount of fluid inside the catheter, which is passed through the cervix at the time of a speculum examination and ultrasound guıdance. The embryos are placed in a position to reach the top part of the uterus. The catheter is removed and checked to ensure that all the embryos have been transferred. You are required to have a full bladder for the transfer procedure and we advise that you begin drinking water on the way to the hospital. After the embryo transfer is complete, your bed will be wheeled from the procedure room into your private room, all while you remain lying flat on your back. Since you must remain as flat as possible, a bed pan will be brought to you by the nurse approximately 15 minutes after the transfer procedure if needed. If you desire to use cryopreservation, the good quality embryos that are not transferred can be frozen in liquid nitrogen, carefully labeled and stored in the embryo bank. These can be used in subsequent cycles if pregnancy is not achieved on the first attempt or if you decide to have more children at a later date. 

The Result

The most accurate test for pregnancy is the beta HCG blood test — 12 days after the embryo transfer (day 1 being the day after transfer took place). HCG is also known as 'the pregnancy hormone'. The body begins to produce HCG when an embryo begins to implant in the uterus. While we understand many intended parents are anxious to find out the results at home, please wait until day 12.

In some cases, it can be difficult to have a blood test carried out. A home pregnancy test will indicate whether or not there is any detectable HCG in your urine and not the level present. Please wait to carry out a home pregnancy test 14 days after the embryo transfer. Please note HCG is present in urine in the highest concentration first thing in the morning. 

If you have a positive result, it is very important that you continue the medications as advised by Dr. Verda. You can also advise your doctor / gynecologist as you will need support and subsequent tests and scans. You should repeat the beta test in 2 to 3 days. The goal is to have the level of HCG doubled every 3 days. If it needed another beta test should be carried out in another 2-3 days’ time. If all three betas indicate a healthy pregnancy, then a vaginal ultrasound will be scheduled between 6 to 8 weeks of the pregnancy. At that time, your doctor will be looking for a heartbeat and a gestational sac to confirm the pregnancy. 

If the result is negative and you have had a blood test on day 12, ALL medications should cease straight away. If the result is negative and you have carried out a urine test on day 14, we recommend that you continue taking the medications as advised by Dr. Verda for another 2 days and test again. If the result is still negative, ALL medications should cease right away. 

Any negative results on your pregnancy test are devastating — Dr. Verda and the Kyrenia IVF staff are available to answer any questions you have about the procedure and discuss further options for you.

What is sperm donation?

Sperm donation is a process used when pregnancy is not achieved with the sperm of the male partner. There can be many reasons why this happens. Why your partner might not be able to provide you with the sperm needed, can be due to medical reasons – such as low sperm count or even azoospermia – that might cause the problem in the first place. Such treatment is often considered as the easiest alternative. You will either need a sperm donor or pick from a sperm bank.

Why to consider a sperm donation?

The reasons to consider going for sperm donation can be quite complex and abstract. It can be anything from a physical injury to a non-physical reason for being unable to produce sperm. This might mean that if you are unable to conceive a child normally with your partner, then sperm bank donation treatment could be needed.

What could be the cause of low sperm count?

The causes of low sperm count could come from:

• Medical problems such as Varicocele, obstructive azoospermia, and non-obstructive azoospermia.
• Hormonal problems or chromosome defects.
• Problems with ejaculation such as retrograde ejaculation, an infection or a reaction to antibodies which attack your sperm.
• Tumors and other medical problems of a physical condition, including bodily harm or even testicles which have not fully descended.
• Problems such as tubular defects which limits the ability to safely transport sperm.

Who can benefit from Sperm Donation?

All the patients who are suffering from such a problem:

• Cases in which no sperm is obtained from the ejaculate or testicles – this could be caused by various issues like non-obstructive azoospermia.
• Cases in which sperm is detected but structural deformities are observed which disables the ability to fertilize the oocyte.
• In cases where hereditary diseases are detected that might inhibit your chances of conception without assistance.
• In cases where the male is a carrier of sexually – transmitted diseases such as HIV.
• In cases which affect the blood RH compatibility, making ordinary conception difficult.

Source of sperm donors 

We are using trustable sources such as foreign sperm banks.

All sperm donors will be thoroughly tested and checked out, too, with tests carried out for evaluation on several conditions.

According to the legal legislation of the country where sperm donation is applied, additional tests may be required for conditions like thalassemia, cystic fibrosis & sickle cell anemia.

We use only the best sperm donors to make sure the process can be as smooth as possible. Consulting with our patients while choosing a sperm donor is very important in order to choose the correct one.

The determination of the choice of the sperm is made by considering the compatibility between the sperm donor’s blood type and physical characteristics.

All IVF treatments begin with a course of hormone therapy to stimulate the development of several follicles in the ovary. These are collected as eggs, which are then fertilized in a test-tube ('in vitro') to create several embryos. 

After between two and five days in an incubator, these embryos are transferred through the vagina to the uterus, where implantation occurs and pregnancy begins. However, in IVF as in natural conception, not every embryo implants to become a pregnancy, which is why surplus embryos are frozen - so that a subsequent transfer might be tried if the first one fails. Freezing is now an essential part of every clinic's IVF program.

Micromanipulation is a radical method of assisted reproduction. It is one of the most effective procedures to help men overcome male infertility issues and has helped more and more couples suffering from infertility since 1992.

ICSI (Intracytoplasmic Sperm Injection) is beneficial for all couples, however it is significant for those where fertilization may be difficult, even when IVF procedures are used.

At Kyrenia IVF, the ICSI (Intracytoplasmic Sperm Injection) procedure is carried out as standard as part of all our IVF treatments, to ensure fertilization at no extra charge.

Preimplantation Genetic Diagnosis (PGD) is a procedure carried out prior to implantation to help identify genetic defects within embryos created through IVF. The procedure is used to prevent certain diseases or disorders from being passed on to the child.

Couples at risk of passing on a genetic disease or condition may qualify for PGD under the following criteria:

• Women aged 35 and over
• Carriers of sex-linked genetic disorders
• Carriers of single gene defects
• Those with chromosomal disorders
• Women experiencing recurring pregnancy loss associated with chromosomal concerns
• Couples wanting to balance their family

PGD can identify the presence of the following disorders:

Recessive sex-linked disorders such as haemophilia, fragile X syndrome, and most Neuromuscular dystrophies, Dominant sexlinked disorders such as Rett syndrome, incontinentia pigmenti, pseudohypererparathydroidism, and vitamin D resistant rickets, Single gene disorders such as cystic fibrosis, Tay-sachs, Huntington disease, and sickle cell anemia, and Chromosomal rearrangements such as translocation, inversion, deletions and Aneuploidy. 

The needed Medical Tests:

Women Hormone Blood Tests:

• FSH (follicle stimulating hormone)
• TSH (thyroid stimulating hormone)
• E2
• Prolactin
• AMH (anti-mullerian hormone)

Trans-vaginal scan (Ultrasound Scan) for ovarian & uterine assessment Ultrasound Scan:

The purpose of these scans is to measure your response to medication. More precisely, the purpose of the scan is the following:

• Assessment of endometrial appearance and thickness
• Assessment of uterine conditions (to make sure there are no uterine pathologies that may interfere with our treatment).
• Assessment of the ovaries. Semen Analysis:
• A semen analysis helps assess the quality of a sperm sample with respect to key parameters including sperm volume, concentration (count) per mL, motility, morphology, PH and round cell count.

Infectious Diseases Screening:

• Anti-HIV – test for HIV/AIDS infection
• Anti-HCV – test for Hepatitis C virus infection
• Rubella IgG- IgM – test for German measles infection
• CMV IgG – test for Cytomegalovirus infection
• HbsAg – test for Hepatitis B virus infection
• VDRL – test for Syphilis infection
• Anti- Hbs

How to start the treatment:

Step 1

To Read everything carefully and send all of your questions to your coordinator. Please don’t hesitate to ask as many questions as you want. Please know that you have the right to schedule a call or video call at any time to ask and get to know your coordinator and doctor. We believe the relationship between the doctor & patient is very important, as she will be performing your treatment, this is why you should be relaxed and happy with your doctor. 

Step 2

Fill the application form that is sent to you by your coordinator or you can schedule a call with your coordinator and she will ask you some questions. 

Step 3

Schedule a pelvic scan date with your Gynecologist. As well as the medical tests are needed to be done.

Step 4

Send the application form, Medical tests results, and Scan to your coordinator. 

Step 5

Once you have sent your results. Within 24 hours, your coordinator will send you an assessment letter from the doctor. This assessment letter will have everything included about your situation, success rates, best treatment for you, and advices. 

Step 6

At this time after everything has been organized, you will be receiving your medical Treatment protocol and a prescription to start your treatment.

Initial scan 
Day one of your menstrual cycle marks day one of the treatment process with medications as follows. On day 10 you will fly to Cyprus. Your coordinator will be in touch to advise your pick-up time for the appointments in Cyprus. 
The initial scan consists of a trans-vaginal ultrasound to check the development of your follicles. (Dr. Verda may prescribe additional stimulation medications at this stage if necessary). If the eggs are ready, our dedicated nurses will administer an ovulation trigger injection that evening at your hotel. The injection stimulates the final maturation of eggs in the ovaries. The eggs will be then collected 34 to 36 hours after the injection is administered. 

Egg & Sperm Collection 
Our team will advise you your pick-up time for the day of the egg collection. Upon arrival at the hospital, a nurse will show you the room and provide you with the garments necessary to wear for the procedure. You will be taken to the operating room where you will be sedated and asleep throughout the entire procedure. (Since you will be sedated you must NOT eat or drink after midnight the previous evening and we will remind you of this when you are in Cyprus). 
Your eggs will be collected under trans-vaginal ultrasound guidance. A needle is inserted through the vaginal wall into the ovaries using ultrasound to locate each follicle. The follicular fluid is drawn up to obtain the eggs. Generally, the egg retrieval takes 20-30 minutes. You may experience some cramping and light bleeding after the procedure — however this is perfectly normal. You will be able to take a mild painkiller if necessary. 
During the eggs collection, our team at Kyrenia IVF will be preparing the sperm sample from your partner (or donor). Abstinence from ejaculation for two to three days prior to providing the semen specimen is recommended. 

Fertilization 
The most motile sperms are selected for fertilization. To ensure fertilization, our team uses the ICSI procedure. This technique involves the insemination of sperm into each egg by micro-injection. Once you have had the appropriate rest, our transfer team will take you back to your hotel. Our doctors will also discuss with you the amount of eggs that were collected and the sperm quality. Our team will also discuss with you any other information regarding the procedures carried out that day. After 24 hours, you will receive an update regarding the fertilization process and the amount of embryos. 

Embryo Transfer 
The embryos are transferred on either day three or day five of development. Our compassionate embryologist is highly skilled in identifying healthy embryos and in some cases will recommend extending embryo development to day five — also known as blastocyst stage. 

Blastocyst transfer is common in IVF cycles as it can increase the chances for success while decreasing the likelihood of multiples. Dr. Verda will work closely with our Embryologist to determine if a day three or day five transfer is ideal for you.

On transfer day, Dr. Verda will discuss with you the quality and quantity of your embryos. You can then decide how many you wish to have transferred. Again you will be shown to a room and provided with the necessary garments. Embryos are transferred to the uterus through a soft embryo transfer catheter. This painless procedure is similar to a pap smear and does not require any anesthesia. The embryos are placed in a small amount of fluid inside the catheter, which is passed through the cervix at the time of a speculum examination and ultrasound guidance. The embryos are placed in a position to reach the top part of the uterus. The catheter is removed and checked to ensure that all the embryos have been transferred. You are required to have a full bladder for the transfer procedure and we advise that you begin drinking water on the way to the hospital. After the embryo transfer is complete, your bed will be wheeled from the procedure room into your private room, all while you remain lying flat on your back. Since you must remain as flat as possible, a bed pan will be brought to you by the nurse approximately 15 minutes after the transfer procedure if needed. 

If you desire to use cryopreservation, the good quality embryos that are not transferred can be frozen in liquid nitrogen, carefully labeled and stored in the embryo bank. These can be used in subsequent cycles if pregnancy is not achieved on the first attempt or if you decide to have more children at a later date.

The Result

The most accurate test for pregnancy is the beta HCG blood test — 12 days after the embryo transfer (day 1 being the day after transfer took place). HCG is also known as 'the pregnancy hormone'. The body begins to produce HCG when an embryo begins to implant in the uterus. While we understand many intended parents are anxious to find out the results at home, please wait until day 12. The ovulation trigger injection the nurse administered prior to egg collection contains HCG and if you test too soon you may pick up traces of this and NOT the HCG produced by pregnancy. The injection can remain in your system for 8-10 days so testing too soon may give a false positive. The beta HCG test will report the level of HCG hormone that is present. 

In some cases, it can be difficult to have a blood test carried out. A home pregnancy test will indicate whether or not there is any detectable HCG in your urine and not the level present. Please wait to carry out a home pregnancy test 14 days after the embryo transfer. Please note HCG is present in urine in the highest concentration first thing in the morning. 

If you have a positive result, it is very important that you continue the medication as advised by Dr. Verda. You can also advise your doctor / gynecologist as you will need support and subsequent tests and scans. You should repeat the beta test in 2 to 3 days. The goal is to have the level of HCG doubled every 3 days. If it is needed another beta test should be carried out in another 2-3 days’ time. If all three betas indicate a healthy pregnancy, then a vaginal ultrasound will be scheduled between 6 to 8 weeks of the pregnancy. At that time, your doctor will be looking for a heartbeat and a gestational sac to confirm the pregnancy. If the result is negative and you have had a blood test on day 12, ALL medication should cease straight away. If the result is negative and you have carried out a urine test on day 14, we recommend that you continue taking the medication as advised by Dr. Verda for another 2 days and test again. If the result is still negative, ALL medication should cease right away. 

Any negative result on your pregnancy test is devastating — Dr. Verda and the Kyrenia IVF staff are available to answer any questions you have about the procedure and discuss further options for you

Egg freezing is for women who are not yet ready to have a child due to personal reasons but would like the opportunity at a future time in their life. Egg freezing is ideal for women that will be going to undergo chemotherapy or radiation therapy.

The steps involed in egg freezing are very similar to IVF treatment. The difference is once the eggs are retrieved they are preserved for future use by the patient  for when she is ready to plan her family.

Sperm Freezing

Sperm freezing is as a medical fertility preservation option for men. If the male patient needs to have treatment for cancer that may affect his fertility, there are options available to ensure they can still have children in the future. Men who have to travel overseas or work in dangerous situations may also want to have their sperm frozen for use in the future.

Chemotherapy and radiotherapy can affect your sperm production, sometimes this is temporary but in other cases it may be permanent. Once your treatment begins, it may be too late to collect and preserve your sperm as it may already carry genetic damage.

Before you begin chemotherapy or radiotherapy treatment, some of your semen, containing sperm, can be frozen and kept until you wish to start a family.

How is sperm freezing done?

We collect samples in a private room in the Andrology unit, so our Sago IVF specialists can prepare and freeze the sperm as fast as possible. If you are unable to give semen or if there is no sperm in the semen, due to illness, we may be able to collect sperm directly from your testicles using methods such as TESE, TESA or Micro-TESE, we can then use this sperm later in an IVF ICSI treatment.

Once the sperm is collected, it is mixed with a protective solution and the temperature is gradually reduced. We will then arrange for the sperm to be stored and kept for you as long as you wish.

Embryo freezing

Embryo freezing is the left over embryos from their previous treatment which has been preserved for future IVF treatments. This is often decided by the couples undergoing IVF treatment where the excess embryos that is not being transferred to the uterus and is being used for a future transfer when couples are ready.

The advantage of using the frozen embryos is that the women does not need to undergo the ovulation injections all over again.

Embryo freezing is also suited for couples who wish to have a family in the future, therefore they freezing their fertilized embryos.

Embryo freezing is also suitable for young patients that do not want to have children when in their young age but would like to have children when they are ready to do so.

Once the patient is ready to transfer their frozen embryos (FET) The female patient first of all has her hormone blood test done along with a baseline scan to check her endometrial lining to see the thickness of the lining. Once the doctor has analyzed the results, the doctor will design a treatment protocol for the female patient to prepare her uterus for the embryo transfer. The treatment will be for 18 to 20 treatment before the embryo is transferred. The frozen embryo is thawed on a certain day and transferred to the uterus on a certain day.

What is Embryo Donation?

Embryo donation is an often suggested solution for couples suffering both from infertility.

If both male and female reproductive systems are not able to produce the desired result, then this treatment might be the best solution possible.

Eggs are received from a healthy donor, chosen and agreed previously by the patient and sperm is used from a sperm bank and fertilized by our embryologist in a modern lab environment.

With the help of micro-injection, the embryos are then transferred to the uterus, with the aim to give the opportunity to the new patients to achieve pregnancy.

Embryo donation is a recommended method for couples where the female cannot get pregnant with her eggs and when the male does not have sperm that can fertilize the egg.

In this treatment, the egg-donation and the sperm-donation, which is determined compatible with the physical characteristics of the couple, are subject to the microinjection process.

All donor eggs and sperm go through appropriate screening tests and then the embryo is transferred to the receiver female.

Kyrenia IVF offers some of the most sophisticated reproductive technology services and continues to be a referral center for advanced genetic and fertility treatments.

Fertility treatment is an intensive process that requires sensitivity and an understanding of every patient’s fertility issues.

Gaining great popularity within the last few years, Tandem Cycle allows women with a low ovarian reserve to have a better chance at pregnancy using her own eggs — while at the same time having back-up egg reserves through the use of an egg donor.

Tandem Cycle is also a great option for older women and for women with elevated FSH (Follicle Stimulating Hormone) levels.

Advantages with Tandem Cycle

• At the end of the process you get to decide what combination of your own eggs and donor eggs to use.
• If in any case your own eggs do not develop well, then you have the donor eggs as back up so you do not have to go through another IVF cycle.
• This also gives you the opportunity to try at fırst with just your own eggs, freezing the donor eggs for a future cycle without facing the cost of 2 separate cycles.