In vitro fertilization (IVF) is a highly effective treatment method for infertility, the effectiveness of which directly depends on the availability of modern equipment and the experience of healthcare specialists.
The main purpose of the German fertility specialists during the infertility treatment is the restoration of reproductive function using advanced IVF technologies and the innovative scientific achievements.
The assisted reproductive technology IVF is the fertilization of an egg with a sperm in vitro (namely, in a test tube), followed by embryo transfer into the uterine cavity.
The introduction of in vitro fertilization (IVF) technique into practice in Germany made it possible to improve the procedure, increasing its efficiency up to 80% and higher. As of today, the rate of successfully performed IVF in German clinics is the highest in the world. According to statistics, every 9th child is born with the help of in vitro fertilization (IVF) in Germany.
Germany is rightfully considered the leader in the sphere of medical tourism, largely thanks to the work of TOP-class specialists, the use of state-of-the-art equipment, close cooperation between research facilities and medical centers, as well as affordable prices. The protocol of in vitro fertilization (IVF) in German fertility centers fully complies with international standards. A well-designed algorithm of procedures for IVF excludes the development of complications.
Infertility treatment in Germany is carried out in medical centers, where all conditions are created for a comfortable stay of patients who will undergo the procedure of in vitro fertilization (IVF). According to the statistical data, about 60,000 patients from different parts of the world come to Germany for infertility treatment annually.
The pregnancy management after successful IVF fertilization has certain specificities. In some cases, after in vitro fertilization (IVF), there is a high risk of miscarriage. As a rule, this is due to the state of the woman's body, the presence of chronic pathologies, poor fertility or other disorders.
Therefore, in German clinics, great attention is paid to the comprehensive diagnostics before the IVF procedure. Before performing in vitro fertilization (IVF) in Germany, an extensive examination of women and men is carried out, including the assessment of fertility. According to the diagnostic results, the treatment tactics is developed for the correction of detected pathologies, which can affect the attachment of the embryo to the uterus (IVF) and the course of pregnancy.
State-of-the-art equipment is used for IVF in Germany, which allows the doctors to maintain the viability of a fertilized oocyte (egg) until the moment of transferring into the uterine cavity.
You can receive information on the costs of infertility treatment by means of IVF from the coordinators of the Booking Health portal, which specializes in the organization of treatment in the best clinics in the world. We provide all the necessary information about the work of German medical centers, the qualifications and experience of German doctors, the IVF success rates.
Booking Health will provide an interpreter for the whole period of stay in Germany, help in visa issuing and the preparation of other necessary documentation.
When is IVF carried out?
In vitro fertilization (IVF) is used for the treatment of infertility caused by the following diseases:
- Endometriosis (endometrial overgrowth outside the uterine cavity, which affects the fertility of a woman)
- Closure of lumen of the fallopian tubes (fallopian tube obstruction)
- Immunological infertility (caused by the production of specific antisperm antibodies in the female body)
IFV is also indicated in case of low fertility in women and men.
Use of donor sperm
For in vitro fertilization (IVF) in the case of male infertility (low sperm activity, poor sperm quality and other reasons), donor sperm can be used in Germany.
Specialized laboratories have state-of-the-art equipment, which allows the doctors to freeze sperm, after which sperm motility is maintained. The specialists have the highest demands for donor sperm for in vitro fertilization (IVF), therefore only the best samples are subject to cryopreservation.
The effectiveness of infertility treatment by means of IVF
In Germany, the success rate of in vitro fertilization (IVF) is much higher than in other developed countries. The first embryo transferring using IVF ends with pregnancy in 80% of cases.
Many factors affect the results of in vitro fertilization (IVF), including the state of the female pelvic organs, the level of fertility, the presence of concomitant somatic diseases, the conditions of embryo preservation, and others.
The tourists from all over the world, who want to undergo IVF, are attracted by the high quality of the IVF procedures, the presence of well-equipped embryological laboratories, the vast experience of German fertility specialists.
How is the IVF procedure carried out?
Infertility treatment using in vitro fertilization (IVF) is carried out in several stages. In Germany, the special attention is paid to a comprehensive examination before IVF, since it excludes possible contraindications and allows the doctors to diagnose disorders in the functioning of the reproductive system, in particular dysfunction of the ovaries, uterus and fallopian tubes. The diagnostics before IVF is carried out for examination of both sexual partners, men and women.
Sperm analysis in men is performed, namely a spermogram, which assesses the fertility of men (number, quality, and activity of sperm cells).
The diagnostics of a woman includes the following examinations:
- Blood tests for detection of infectious diseases
- Assessment of the tubal patency
- Diagnostic laparoscopy (according to indications)
- Hormone panel
- Ultrasound examination
- Female fertility testing
The cost of IVF treatment in Germany rises if an additional examination is prescribed, but patients get the opportunity to undergo comprehensive and reliable diagnostics.
The first stage of IVF: hormonal stimulation
In order to increase the chances of successful in vitro fertilization (IVF), German clinics prescribe the preliminary hormonal treatment. The stimulation of "superovulation" is carried out using hormonal drugs before IVF in order to mature several oocytes during one cycle. Normally, one oocyte (egg) is produced during the natural menstrual cycle. The more oocytes are formed during the cycle, the higher are the chances for successful in vitro fertilization (IVF).
The doctor individually determines the regimen of administration of hormonal drugs before the IVF procedure, namely, develops a protocol. There are several different in vitro fertilization (IVF) protocols, and in order to select the proper one the specialist relies on the diagnostic results.
On average, hormone treatment before IVF lasts from 7 to 20 days.
Extraction of oocytes and their follow-up processing
The next stage of in vitro fertilization (IVF) is the maturation of ovarian follicles and their puncturing. Puncture of the ovary during IVF is performed when the dominant ovarian follicle reaches an acceptable size. The development and growth of follicles are monitored using ultrasound examination.
The puncture is performed under anesthesia, which can be either general or local. The type of anesthesia depends on the particular clinical case. After extraction of the follicular fluid, oocytes are separated under a microscope. The extracted oocytes (eggs) are cultivated in a special environment in incubators until their fusion with sperm.
There are two ways of obtaining sperm for IVF – the natural and surgical ones. The doctors use sperm obtained on the same day when a woman's egg is punctured.
Then oocytes and sperm cells (egg and sperm) are fused in vitro, in a test tube, where fertilization takes place.
Fertilization methods
There are two IVF methods in Germany, such as:
- "In vitro" insemination (several oocytes and sperm cells are placed in a test tube, fertilization occurs within a few hours).
- Intracytoplasmic sperm injection is a technique, which increases the chances of fertilization. The essence of ICSI is the manual injection of sperm into the egg. Special microsurgical instruments are used for fertilization by means of ICSI technique. Due to the complexity of the procedure, the cost of in vitro fertilization (IVF) using ICSI method is several times higher.
After the start of the IVF procedure and fusion with a sperm, the oocyte (egg) becomes an embryo, which is placed from a test tube into CO2 incubators for further development. Embryos for in vitro fertilization (IVF) stay in the incubator for up to 5-6 days, depending on the growth rate. After that, they are transferred into the uterine cavity.
Cryopreservation
For repeated in vitro fertilization (IVF), viable embryos are frozen with liquid nitrogen for follow-up transfer into the uterine cavity.
The diagnostics for genetic disorders (PGD, preimplantation genetic diagnosis) is also performed before implantation during the in vitro fertilization (IVF).
Benefits of IVF in Germany
Choosing infertility treatment in Germany according to modern in vitro fertilization (IVF) protocols, most people strive to receive medical care at the highest level. Germany has long been recognized as the country with the best medicine in the world. Experts from Turkey, the USA and Switzerland come to German clinics to exchange practical experience.
Medical tourists choose in vitro fertilization (IVF) in German clinics for the following reasons:
- High in vitro fertilization (IVF) success rates. Most fertility centers in Germany promise their clients a positive result after the first IVF procedure, in particular, embryo transfer. Therefore, when choosing a clinic, you need to be thoughtful, carefully study the information about medical centers and their specialists.
- German IVF clinics have TOP-class diagnostic and surgical equipment and the best embryological laboratories in the world. All manipulations are carried out with minimal risk to the woman's health and guarantee high chances for the successful in vitro fertilization (IVF).
- Modern state-of-the-art hormonal drugs with a low percentage of side effects are used.
- Highly qualified doctors with extensive experience in reproductive medicine, particularly, in in vitro fertilization (IVF). A competent approach to the problem of infertility provides an opportunity for couples to become parents.
- The elaboration of IVF treatment tactics is carried out on an individual basis in each case. The doctors take care of the health of their patients, carry out the necessary examinations for detection and elimination of any disorders in the woman's body that cause low fertility and prevent fertilization.
Сost of IVF in Germany
The price for infertility treatment using IVF technology is formed according to the diagnostic procedures performed during the preparatory stage, the IVF protocol, hormonal drugs, concomitant somatic pathologies, etc. The cost of IVF treatment in Germany is slightly higher than in Turkey or Poland, but such prices are fully justified by the high quality of services provided and the success of in vitro fertilization (IVF).
You can clarify the cost of treatment by contacting the managers of the Booking Health medical portal. On average, the cost of IVF treatment in Germany is about 4,000 EUR. The in vitro fertilization (IVF) procedure itself costs about 3,000 EUR.
The employees of Booking Health will help you contact the clinic you are interested in, offer the best medical centers, provide support at all stages of the treatment program, and calculate the costs. In addition, they will take care about organizational services, such as booking airline tickets and accommodation, transfer, interpreter, etc.