FAQ
I'm interested in having my tubes untied. Please advise.
Tubal reversal is usually performed as an open (laparotomy) surgical procedure that takes about 4 hours. It is performed only by fertility specialists and the total package costs are about $9-10,000. This usually includes an overnight hospital stay.
We are doing less and less of these however, because the success rates with in vitro fertilization (IVF) are becoming so high. IVF is about the same cost and is much less invasive with a much faster recovery and lower risks. The risk of an ectopic pregnancy (tubal pregnancy) is usually lower with IVF than with tubal reversal. Sometimes, it is not possible to restore the anatomy of the tubes to normal and IVF is still needed.
My doctor said I can't carry a baby to term but I want to have a child. What are my options and how much might this cost?
We often help women in similar situations, by doing cycles of in vitro fertilization with an embryo transfer into a gestational carrier (GC). One of the difficult things is finding a GC. We can often help you in that process. One of the important steps is to test your ovaries to make sure that they are still functioning well. If things look okay, we would synchronize your “cycle” with the GC’s uterus, stimulate your ovaries to grow multiple “follicles” or eggs and collect them at the right time with an egg aspiration procedure performed under anesthesia.
The IVF cycle including all testing and medicines, monitoring, and procedures costs about $12,000 all together. The GC costs are separate and include fees for legal contracts and testing.
What do typical treatments cost?
A cycle of IUI with a mid cycle ultrasound costs about $500. If you use injectable medicine the costs can be $3000-4000 and a total cycle of IVF (with all meds, monitoring, testing, anesthesia etc…) is about $11,000-12000.
How many embryos do you typically transfer?
We have enjoyed much success with our egg donation program. As you can see on www.sart.com, our live birth rates have averaged about 75% per embryo transfer. We usually would transfer 2 embryos but feel it is important to individualize the care to each patient.
What are my options for reversing my vasectomy?
There are two options you have for reversing a vasectomy. The first is a surgery done by the urologist. Some studies show that the operation might return the sperm to normal, but there can be problems which lead couples to end up doing fertility treatments. The alternative that many men choose is to do a needle aspiration in order to get sperm and then fertilizing their partner's eggs with the small amount of sperm obtained. This is done with in vitro fertilization with ICSI. This process would be performed at our fertility center.
Do you work with lesbian couples?
We have a great number of lesbian couples who work with us doing a variety of fertility treatments from testing to ovulation induction to IVF. We also work with many male couples in their pursuit to start or expand their family.
Do you do artificial insemination?
Our center performs about 1,200 of these procedures a year. Generally, success rates for natural cyle or clomiphene with IUI are about 10-12% per try.
I've had a partial hysterectomy but I want a baby. Help!
The option for you to conceive would be through in vitro fertilization with a gestational carrier. Most likely, the “partial” hysterectomy did not affect your ovaries, but the most important thing for women is your age. The tests that we would do for your eggs are called a clomid challenge test (2 blood tests) and resting follicle count.
Do you do ICSI?
Different centers use various tests to plan for ICSI including sperm function tests, swim up, and rarely Hamster penetration tests. Per 2005 data on www.sart.com 59% of all IVF in the US was done with ICSI. We do ICSI less than most centers (31% vs. OHSU’s 64%) but certainly would not hesitate to do it if there were abnormalities found in the testing. The point is to get the best chance of pregnancy by not jeopardizing fertilization.
I'm interested in having a semen analysis. How many days should I abstain prior to the test?
You should abstain for 2-5 days prior.
My husband and I can't have children but we are interested in using my husband sperm and my cousins eggs and have her carry the baby. Can we work with you?
This is defined as “traditional” surrogacy. This practice is against the law in many states and goes against the policy of the Society for Assisted Reproductive Technologies and the American Society of Reproductive Medicine. For these reasons and the legal complexities involved, we do not assist in traditional surrogacy at Oregon Reproductive Medicine.
Do you offer any financing options?
We work directly with Capital One for IVF financing. Please visit their website at:
What is involved with basic fertility testing?
Basic fertility testing usually consists of a “baseline” exam which is an ultrasound examination and some blood tests, a hysterosalpingogram (HSG) dye test of the uterus and a semen analysis.