Resources

A small number of women having treatment to stimulate the ovaries (especially after IVF), will develop a problem called Ovarian Hyperstimulation Syndrome (OHSS). Overall, it affects between 0.6 – 14% of women, but only about 1-2% require hospital admission (i.e., in its severe form). What is OHSS? It is a combination of symptoms including enlargement […]

IUI is a treatment used for the following fertility problems: In order to offer this treatment, we must ensure the fallopian tubes are open, no more than mild or minimal endometriosis is evident and a reasonable sperm sample is obtained. Treatment usually involves some stimulation with fertility drugs, depending on the woman’s natural ovulatory cycle. […]

You Have Been Prescribed Zivafert Each box of this drug contains 5,000iu of Zivafert. Standard dose to use is 10,000iu (two boxes). However, you may have only been prescribed 5,000iu if you are at risk of Ovarian Hyperstimulation Syndrome OHSS and therefore, will only have the one box. What to Do If you have been […]

Endometrial Scratch is a technique which is being used for women who have had recurrent implantation failure i.e., have had 2 or more embryo transfers (fresh or frozen) using good quality blastocyst embryos, which have not resulted in implantation. An endometrial scratch involves gently ‘scratching’ the womb lining (the endometrium) using a very thin plastic […]

The Gateshead Fertility Unit is a purpose-built facility on level three of the Jubilee Wing of the Queen Elizabeth Hospital. This is a brief introduction to the various fertility treatments available here at the Gateshead Fertility Unit. After reviewing your fertility investigations our fertility specialist will be able to advise you on the most appropriate […]

Drugs that may be used during fertility treatment All injections should be administered into the lower abdominal wall and given as instructed by staff. 1. GnRH-a drugs (Buserelin, Synarel, Prostap) These drugs are given as either a nasal spray or an injection. The aim of this medication is to switch off the fertility hormones produced […]

Following fertility treatment, you may have frozen embryos which you decide not to use yourself.  You could consider donating these embryos to a woman or couple who otherwise might not be able to have a much longed-for family.  This information leaflet is designed for people who are considering donating their frozen embryos to others.  If […]

Why do some couples need embryo donation? Some couples may require donated embryos if they are unlikely to conceive a baby by using their own eggs and sperm or are at a high risk of passing on an inherited disease. Legal Implications Legally and socially, once you receive the frozen embryos you will be the […]

Decisions Regarding Your Stored Embryos Making a decision about the future of your remaining frozen embryos can be difficult, especially if you have already decided, for whatever reason, that you do not wish to use them in any further treatment of your own. The significance of these embryos is unique to each individual. For some, […]

When the first donor conceived children were born a few decades ago parents were routinely encouraged not to tell them about their biological identity. The argument seemed to be that “What you don’t know won’t hurt you”. Why risk rejection by family and friends? Why risk potential rejection by your child? The experience of donor […]