Question 1

What is IVF?

Accepted Answer

IVF stands for ‘in vitro fertilisation’. It is one type of Assisted Reproductive Technology (ART) used to treat fertility problems and assist with conception of a child. Our focus is helping you fall pregnant and our expert team will plan the most effective treatment plan depending on your individual situation. It is important to remember that not all couples require IVF, which is just one of a number of treatment options. Our treatment options include:

• Ovulation Induction & Ovulation Tracking (OI/OT)
• Intrauterine Insemination (IUI)
• In-Vitro Fertilization (IVF)
• Intracytoplasmic Sperm Injection (ICSI)
• Frozen Embryo Transfers (FET)
• Egg Freezing
• Donor program

Alternatively, our doctors would be the best people to give you an in-depth insight on fertility treatments, you could book in for a bulk-billed consultation with one of our Fertility GPs by contacting your preferred clinic directly.

Question 2

Does affordable equal low care?

Accepted Answer

We are proud to be one of the leading providers of affordable fertility services in Australia, removing a major barrier to many couples contemplating IVF.

At Adora Fertility, our success rates are proof that it is possible to deliver high quality Fertility services (including IVF) at an affordable cost to patients. We are able to keep our out-of-pocket costs low by bulk-billing the majority of Medicare-eligible expenses.

In choosing to be treated at any one of our Adora Fertility clinics, you can be reassured of the following:

Our team of Fertility specialists are supported by the vast network of healthcare services and facilities that enable us to deliver a high quality model of care at an affordable cost to you.

You will receive a team-based approach to your IVF treatment with an experienced Fertility specialist at the centre of your care, supported by a Fertility GP, as well as an expert team of Fertility nurses and scientists involved in your treatment. You may not always be the patient of a single Specialist, but you will be a patient of the entire Adora Fertility team who are devoted to helping you through your journey.

You will receive your care in facilities with modern treatment techniques & technology.

You will receive a personalised approach, with treatment plans and medications sensitive to your individual needs. We do not subscribe to a ‘simplified and standardised approach to IVF treatment’ as a way of reducing the cost of delivering care.

All of our egg collection procedures are performed in an accredited day surgery under the care of an anaesthetist, which is considered safer and less painful than a procedure carried out under a local anaesthetic.

Question 3

Do I need a referral?

Accepted Answer

Yes, you do need a referral to make an appointment with a Fertility Specialist. You could either get a referral from your GP (valid for 12 months) or make an appointment with one of our Adora Fertility GPs, who will carry out a fertility assessment (this will include various pathology & diagnostic imaging tests) before providing a referral to one of our Fertility Specialists. The cost for this consultation and diagnostic tests will be covered by Medicare (i.e. they will be bulk-billed with no out-of-pocket cost to you.)

If you are seeking a referral from your own GP, you must ensure the referral includes both partners’ names, DOB and BMI for the female patient. This will ensure you are both eligible for Medicare rebates.

To book in your bulk-billed fertility assessment and consultation with our Fertility GP, please contact your preferred clinic directly.

Question 4

Do you have a donor program?

Accepted Answer

Yes, Adora Fertility provides a Donor program. We offer a Known Donor Program where you can use sperm, eggs or embryos from someone known to you and a De-identified Donor Program where sperm is sourced from a sperm bank. Adora cannot assist with surrogacy arrangements.

Question 5

Is there an age limit for IVF?

Accepted Answer

Unfortunately, female age is one infertility factor we cannot change. Research and statistics on IVF in older women as shown in the Australian & New Zealand Assisted Reproduction Database 2015 (ANZARD), indicate that the rate of live deliveries based on a woman’s age between 40-44 years was 8.9% and for those women aged 45 years or older, the rate was 0.7%. This data was based on fresh cycles that occurred in Australia and New Zealand in 2015.

Based on medical evidence, Adora Fertility offers treatment to women using their own eggs up until their 45th birthday. Female recipients of donor eggs or embryos, or for those using their own eggs or embryos, frozen at an earlier age, may seek treatment up until their 51st birthday (the median age of menopause). For women over age 45, or where it is indicated by the medical history, a physician review is required to ensure safety during pregnancy.

Question 6

Is there an age limit for egg freezing?

Accepted Answer

Egg freezing is generally not advised for women over the age of 40, as egg freezing outcomes are likely to be poor. Adora Fertility Specialists recommend the early 30s as the optimum time for egg freezing. However it does depend on your individual circumstances. You may be better off freezing eggs sooner for example, if you have specific family planning goals, a condition, or need medical treatment that will affect your fertility.

Question 7

What are the most common causes for infertility in women?

Accepted Answer

Apart from a women’s age, conditions like PCOS (Poly Cystic Ovarian Syndrome and Endometriosis) may predispose a female to infertility problems. Every scenario is unique, and keeping that in mind, our Fertility GPs conduct an initial consultation and provide a comprehensive set of medical tests to determine your suitability for Fertility treatment, including IVF.

Question 8

Does my weight affect fertility?

Accepted Answer

A woman’s weight or BMI > 34 affects her fertility. Scientifically, both extremes of weight in women have been a cause for disruption in the normal ovulation process. It’s best that you speak to one of our fertility experts about why and how weight can impact fertility and treatment.

Question 9

What is mandatory pre-treatment counselling?

Accepted Answer

The journey towards falling pregnant and thereafter may be stressful and in such situation in addition to family, friends and medical support, you may benefit from seeking counselling.

In Victoria, State Government legislation requires all couples to see a counsellor prior to starting any IVF treatment. This service is offered through Adora Fertility in Victoria.

For individuals that are part of our donor program, mandatory pre-treatment counselling is required.

Question 10

Can I choose the gender of my baby?

Accepted Answer

Unfortunately, we are unable to choose or determine the gender of your baby through our treatments.

Question 11

What does a fertility assessment include?

Accepted Answer

A fertility assessment includes a range of tests to assess your fertility health and determine your suitability for fertility treatment. The most common tests for understanding your fertility are outlined below. For a full list of the tests required to get started at Adora, please contact us.

For Females
Hormone Tests (potentially including a test of ovulation)

Pelvic Ultrasound (including an antral follicle count)

Ovarian Reserve (AMH) Blood Test

Cervical Screening Test (CST)

Infection and Antenatal Screening Tests

For Males
Semen Analysis

Infection Screening Tests

Question 12

What lifestyle changes could help improve my fertility health?

Accepted Answer

Healthy diet, maintain a healthy BMI

Take folic acid

Avoid alcohol and smoking/vaping

Question 13

Will I have the same doctor throughout my fertility journey?

Accepted Answer

During your first consultation you’ll meet with one of our Specialist Fertility GPs. Some initial tests will be ordered and the results will be reviewed. You will then be referred to an Adora Fertility Specialist who will continue to see you throughout your treatment.

If you’ve already been through fertility treatment or the initial workup has been completed by your GP or previous Specialist, you’ll be referred immediately to your Fertility Specialist. At your first appointment, they’ll work with you to ensure your fertility health is at its best before treatment can begin. You’ll receive a customised fertility management plan and your treatment cycle will be personally managed by your own Specialist. Each Fertility Specialist performs the procedures (Egg Collection, Embryo Transfer, Surgical Sperm Retrievals) on an allocated day of the week so you may not have your own Specialist for your procedures as timings depend on when the eggs are ready. All procedures at Adora Fertility are performed by a Fertility Specialist. Your Fertility Specialist will work closely with a team of nurses and scientists so that you’re always up to date with your treatment progress.

Question 14

Do you store embryos and what is the cost?

Accepted Answer

At Adora Fertility, we store embryos that are suitable to be frozen. A monthly cryostorage fee of $49 applies.

Question 15

Do you offer pre-implantation genetic testing (PGT) of embryos?

Accepted Answer

At present, Adora Fertility does not offer pre-implantation genetic testing (PGT) of embryos. In order to understand the reasons why we don’t offer PGT, it is important to understand the types of PGT available and the purpose of testing.

Broadly, there are two types of PGT. The first, PGT-A, looks at the whole number of chromosomes and tests for the occurrence of an abnormal number of chromosomes which could result in implantation failure, miscarriage, or birth defects such as Downs Syndrome. While the results of PGT-A may identify a genetic condition and therefore prove valuable, there is no evidence that testing improves the chances of pregnancy for all patients. Testing is invasive as a biopsy of the embryo is required and runs the risk of harming the embryo which could, potentially, reduce the chance of a pregnancy. Testing may be useful in cases where, for example, there is repeated unsuccessful IVF cycles which cannot be explained and if this is the case for you, we may refer you to a clinic specialising in PGT-A.

The second type of PGT looks at gene abnormalities within chromosomes (PGT-M and PGT-SR). This type of PGT is indicated for patients who are a known carrier of a genetic condition (these patients are not necessarily infertile) and we would recommend you consider this type of PGT if you are a carrier of a known genetic condition.

Regardless of the type of PGT, this testing requires a specific genetics laboratory which includes highly specialised equipment, extensive training of scientists and an environment supported by genetic counsellors. It is expensive to run this type of laboratory and therefore the cost to the patient for PGT is expensive, with no Medicare rebate on PGT-A. As a result, Adora Fertility does not undertake PGT of embryos. We can, however, recommend clinics who can provide this service for you. Although it is possible to have treatment at Adora and transport any resulting embryos to a specialised lab for testing prior to embryo transfer, we don’t recommend this as it places unnecessary stress on the embryo.

In summary, consider carefully the need to have PGT and unless you are a known carrier of a genetic condition it is unlikely that PGT testing would be recommended.

Question 16

What are IVF ‘add-ons’ and should I consider them?

Accepted Answer

IVF ‘add-ons’ or IVF ‘optional extra’s’ are non-essential components of IVF which may be offered by some clinics at an additional cost. At Adora Fertility we believe in offering evidence based protocols which is why we don’t offer add-ons as, in most instances, there is no conclusive evidence to suggest they improve pregnancy outcomes for all patients. Doing your research is important as some add-ons, for example ‘embryo glue’ may exist in different forms. At Adora, the active ingredient in embryo glue is actually used in our culture media.

We would recommend reviewing IVF add-ons at this website, which is funded by the National Health and Medical Research Council (Australian Government) and The University of Melbourne, neither of which has any affiliation to IVF providers. This website provides information on the effectiveness, safety, costs, and other considerations relating to optional extras to empower patients to make informed decisions about their fertility care.

In summary, be wary of IVF add-ons particularly when there is an additional cost involved. Do your research and discuss options with your Fertility Specialist if unsure.

Frequently Asked Questions

We understand there can often feel like so many unknowns throughout this journey.

Contact us today to discover how we can help.