1. The initial consultation can be done by telephone. One of the physicians will review your infertility history and to determine how CCRM Fertility may be able to help you.
2. Next you will need to travel to Denver for a comprehensive one day work-up. The following tests will be performed: hysteroscopy, communicable disease blood tests, detailed semen analysis and antisperm antibody screening, pelvic ultrasound and doppler study of blood flow through the uterus. A nurse will assist you with an extensive educational session, including reviewing the use of injectable medications used during your IVF or donor cycle. Some test results are available the same day and your physician will review the results and a recommended treatment plan. Couples really benefit from the one day work-up as it expedites the process by enabling the physicians to develop a treatment plan tailored to your specific issues.
3. After the initial visit you will need to have your day three hormones tested. These are lab tests which assess your FSH, LH, and estradiol levels. The blood specimen can be collected in your hometown, frozen, and shipped to us for measurement in the lab.
4. If you are in the egg donor program you will also meet with one of our counselors and the donor nurses will lead you through the process from here. Once your initial work-up is completed you will be matched with an anonymous donor, and then proceed with your cycle. The recipient couple will need to travel to Denver by the day of their donor’s egg retrieval so a fresh sperm specimen can be obtained to fertilize the donated eggs. The embryo transfer will then occur three to five days after the donor’s egg retrieval. After the embryo transfer, patients need to remain on bedrest for 48 hours, and then they can return home. After the embryo transfer you will be instructed on which medications to use. You will then have a pregnancy test done through your local physician 14 days after the day of the egg retrieval. The tests will be sent to us the same day, so we can inform you of your pregnancy status. If you are pregnant we will continue to work with you and your local physician on the medications, ultrasounds, and lab tests which are needed to maximize your chance of maintaining a successful pregnancy.
5. If you are an IVF patient using your own eggs your next step will be to obtain medications for use during the IVF cycle. The medication may be obtained from a local pharmacy or you can arrange to have them mailed to you. We work with several pharmacies to ensure that patients receive competitive prices for fertility drugs.
6. Once the IVF cycle begins and you begin taking your cycle medications, we will coordinate your medical care with your local physician. Your local physician can arrange early ultrasound and blood estrogen (estradiol) testing to assess your response to fertility drugs. Test results can be faxed on the day of completion for interpretation by our physicians. A CCRM nurse coordinator will call you that afternoon to provide medication instructions. By working with local physicians, most patients from outside of Colorado can begin their fertility drug injections at home.
7. A trip to Colorado will be necessary approximately four to six days before your egg collection procedure. Final ultrasound studies and blood tests will be done to determine when your eggs are optimally mature.
8. When your eggs are mature, you will be scheduled for the egg retrieval procedure which is completed in our on-site surgery center. If applicable, the male partner should be present on the day of the egg retrieval to provide a semen specimen which is used to fertilize the eggs. Following egg retrieval your embryos are grown in the IVF laboratory for three to five days.
9. Fresh embryo transfer is completed three to five days after embryo retrieval. After the procedure, you will need to remain on bed rest for 48 hours, and then you can return home. Most couples are in Denver for 8 to 10 days. Our nurse coordinators will work closely with you to provide you with as much advanced notice as possible as to the dates you will need to be in Denver.
10. After your embryo transfer you will be instructed on which medications to continue to use. A pregnancy test can be performed through your local physician 14 days after the day of the egg retrieval. The results will be sent to us the same day, so we can inform you of your pregnancy status. If you are pregnant, we will continue to work with you and your local physician on the medications, ultrasounds, and lab tests which are needed to maximize your chance of maintaining a successful pregnancy.
