Will the IVF technique damage my ovaries?
There is no evidence to suggest that either normal laparoscopy or ultrasound egg retrieval damages the ovaries. In fact, some reports in the medical literature suggest that following ovarian biopsy, pregnancies occur in couples with a long-term history of infertility.

Will scar tissue around my ovaries make it impossible to retrieve the eggs?
Not ordinarily. The surgeon must be able to see the follicles in order to guide the needle to the proper spot for retrieval of the eggs whether by sonographic (ultrasound) or surgical methods.

What if I ovulate before oocyte (also called egg or ovum) retrieval?
Once ovulation has occurred it is impossible to retrieve the eggs. The entire team of physician, nurse and embryologist will monitor your cycle very carefully to avoid premature ovulation.

If an egg is not retrieved or if the technique does not produce a pregnancy on the first attempt, how soon can the procedure be repeated?
This depends on the individual. The primary reason for delay is to allow the patient's normal menstrual cycle to resume, which may take 1-2 cycles. At the most. In some cases, we can even do cycles back to back if there is constraint of time. However, this is not the preferred method.

How many times will IVF be repeated per couple?
There is no specific number. This is determined by the couple together with the physician.

Can we have intercourse during the two-week period before an IVF procedure is performed?
Most definitely. We recommend that the husband refrain from ejaculation for at least 48 hours, but for no more than 5 to 6 days preceding egg retrieval. This precaution assures that the semen sample obtained for IVF will contain a maximum number of healthy, motile sperm.

After the IVF procedure, how long must we wait to have intercourse?
Although a definite time of abstinence to avoid damage to the pre-embryo has not been determined, most experts recommend abstinence for two to three weeks. Theoretically, the uterine contractions associated with orgasm could interfere with the early stages of implantation. However, intercourse the night before pre-embryo transfer is acceptable. Some physicians will advise intercourse before transfer as they feel that this will improve the chances of a pregnancy.

What about other activities? How soon can I resume my normal routine?
The IVF team recommends that the patient be sedentary for a full 24 hours following embryo placement in the uterus. Strenuous exercises such as jogging, horseback riding, swimming, etc. should be avoided until pregnancy is confirmed. Otherwise, the patient is free to return to her regular activities.