IVF Fact Sheets - IVF Downloads - Monash IVF Australia

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Please click on the links below to view our fact sheets. If the information you require is not covered in one of our current fact sheets, please do not hesitate to contact us.

>	age and fertility The number of couples in their late 30s and 40s attempting pregnancy is increasing. Currently 20% of patients at Monash IVF are aged 40 or over. [ more ]

>	amniocentesis Your family or personal medical history may suggest to your doctor that you have a slightly greater chance of giving birth to an infant with a birth defect. [ more ]

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antiphospholipid antibodies (apas) & reproduction

Antiphospholipid antibodies circulate in the bloodstream, can bind to cell membranes, and may cause small clots to form. They have various names such as lupus, cardiolipin and antinuclear antibodies. They are found in 2-15% of the population, even in men. [ more ]

>	artificial insemination - using male partner's sperm (aih) Artificial insemination involves the insertion of the male partner's semen into the female partner's cervix in order to improve the chances of pregnancy. [ more ]

>	assisted hatching - using male partner's sperm Artificial insemination involves the insertion of the male partner's semen into the female partner's cervix in order to improve the chances of pregnancy. [ more ]

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chorionic villus sampling

Chorionic Villus sampling is a test which involves obtaining a small sample of tissue, the chorionic villi from the developing placenta. The placenta, which has the same chromosome makeup as the baby, may then be examined for genetic, DNA or biochemical abnormalities eg Down Syndrome, Cystic Fibrosis etc. [ more ]

>	clinical research studies Why would I want to participate in a research study? And other commonly asked questions. [ more ]

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Confirmatory Prenatal Diagnosis following Preimplantation Genetic Diagnosis (PGD)

Preimplantation genetic diagnosis (PGD) is a technique that enables couples at genetic risk to have their embryos screened before a pregnancy is established. PGD can be used to screen for known single gene disorders, translocations, and some of the more common chromosomal abnormalities such as Down Syndrome. [ more ]

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counselling and support

Counselling Services
Monash IVF counsellors are registered psychologists or social workers and members of the Australian and New Zealand Infertility Counselling Association (ANZICA). Monash IVF has a large and experienced team of counsellors nationally. This team works closely with the nursing staff, scientists and clinicians to provide you with a supportive and caring service that is tailored to your individual needs. [ more ]

>	creutzfeldt-jakob disease This information was taken directly from the Australian Government website: http://www.fed.gov.au [ more ]

>	donor egg (oocyte) program This information sheet is designed to answer some of the questions you may have regarding the Donor Egg Program. If you require more detailed information, please contact the program coordinator or a member of the nursing staff here at Monash IVF. [ more ]

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donor embryo program - recipient

This information sheet is designed to answer some of the questions you may have regarding the Donor Embryo Program; however, if you require more detailed information, please contact the Donor Embryo Program coordinator or a member of the Nursing staff at Monash IVF. [ more ]

>	ectopic pregnancy An ectopic pregnancy occurs when the embryo attaches to a site outside the uterine cavity. Greater than 90% of ectopic pregnancies are located in one of the fallopian tubes. Other sites are rare and include the cervix, ovary and the abdominal cavity. [ more ]

>	egg donors and age The world's first baby conceived through egg donation by Monash IVF was born in 1983. Since then, hundreds of donor egg programs have been established throughout the world. [ more ]

>	embryo freezing / thawing During a fresh stimulated IVF cycle 1 or 2 embryos are transferred to the patient and the remaining embryos are assessed to determine whether they will be frozen for later use. Embryos may be frozen between 1 and 7 days after egg collection. [ more ]

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endometriosis

Endometriosis is a benign and common disease. It is often characterised by a history of pelvic pain, sub-fertility and impaired quality of life and tends to occur in women who are in the reproductive years. The definition of endometriosis is the presence of endometrial-like tissue outside the of the uterus. [ more ]

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exporting human embryos from australia

January 2003 the Australian Customs Service implemented an amendment to the Customs (Prohibited Exports) Regulations 1958 that prohibited the export of human embryos for a period of 12 months. On 27th March 2003, the Government replaced the absolute prohibition on exports with an arrangement that would allowed the Minister for Justice and Customs to grant permission for human embryos to be exported. [ more ]

>	extended culture / embryo transfer embryo transfer for routine IVF [ more ]

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genetic causes of male infertility

Sperm production problems are the commonest cause of male infertility. Little is known about why the sperm produced in tubules in the testes fail to develop and function normally. Scientists believe that genetic variations are responsible in at least 40% of cases, particularly those involving the Y (or male) chromosome. [ more ]

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Genetic Testing for Cystic Fibrosis Information for Gamete Donors

What is Cystic Fibrosis?

Cystic fibrosis (CF) is a genetic disorder that affects mainly the lungs and digestive system causing the glands to produce abnormally thick mucus. In the lungs, this mucus causes obstruction in the air passage, leading to frequent and severe infections. In the digestive system, normal digestive enzymes are obstructed leading to poor absorption of food and pancreatic damage leading to diabetes. [ more ]

>	indications for ivf The following information outlines the various medical conditions that may indicate the need for the use of assisted reproductive technologies. [ more ]

>	intracytoplasmic sperm injection (icsi) Male infertility is very common and male factor problems contribute to approximately one-third of infertile couples. Male infertility makes up an increasing proportion of ART cycles and currently accounts for 40% of our program at Monash IVF. [ more ]

>	key milestones at monash ivf A brief history of Monash IVF [ more ]

>	long-term frozen storage of ovarian tissue for oncology patients Background Information [ more ]

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male infertility

Causes of Male Infertility

Male infertility is very common. About one in twenty men is sub-fertile and a male infertility factor may be significant in half of all infertile couples. About one third of all IVF procedures are performed for male factor infertility. For most men the discovery that they are infertile comes as a total surprise. [ more ]

>	miscarriage - a guide for patients What is a Miscarriage? [ more ]

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multiple births and ivf in australia

Management of IVF in Australia is characterised by a very careful approach to embryo transfer, in order to reduce the likelihood of multiple births. Unlike some countries, where transfer of more than six embryos is routine, in Australia generally only one or two embryos are transferred in each attempt. [ more ]

>	our fees - what to expect At Monash IVF, our goal is to give every patient the very best chance of becoming pregnant. While Medicare covers most Monash IVF services, the fees associated with providing Assisted Reproductive Technologies can be confusing. [ more ]

>	ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome All women who undergo ovarian stimulation during an IVF treatment, experience enlargement of their ovaries and a complex change in their hormone balance. [ more ]

>	polycystic ovarian syndrome (pcos) Polycystic ovarian syndrome is a condition in which there is a hormonal imbalance within the ovaries. [ more ]

>	preimplantation genetic diagnosis clinic A Preimplantation Genetic Diagnosis (PGD) clinic has been established at Monash IVF to provide couples at genetic risk with information relating specifically to the genetic testing component of In Vitro Fertilisation (IVF). [ more ]

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preimplantation genetic diagnosis for chromosome screening

What is the test for?

Irregularities in early development of the sperm, egg or embryo can lead to an imbalance of chromosome number in the developing embryo (i.e. missing or extra chromosomes). This chromosome imbalance can lead to implantation failure, miscarriage, or the birth of an affected child. [ more ]

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preimplantation genetic diagnosis for translocations

What is a translocation?

An individual's genetic information is packaged into strings of genes called chromosomes. Normal human cells contain 46 chromosomes, or 23 pairs. These include chromosomes 1 to 22 (the autosomes) and chromosomes X and Y (the sex chromosomes). [ more ]

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preimplantation genetic diagnosis with sex selection for x-linked genetic disorders

What is an X-linked Disease?

>	Preimplatation Genetic Diagnosis for single gene disorders Preimplatation Genetic Diagnosis (PGD) is a reproductive option for couples at risk of passing a genetic disease on to their children. [ more ]

>	referral information From November 1st 1996 amendments to the Health Insurance Act have resulted in changes to referral requirements. [ more ]

>	smoking and fertility Having IVF treatment can be one of the most stressful experiences in a person's life. Having to deal with day-to-day and infertility is enough with out considering quitting cigarette smoking. [ more ]

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sperm storage for cancer treatment

Before Cancer Treatment Begins

You are wishing to store sperm at Monash IVF because you are receiving treatment for a serious medical condition that may permanently damage your testes and their ability to produce sperm. It is possible to freeze and store sperm for many years. In some cases semen parameters, such as count and motility, may be impaired at the time of freezing due to the effects of general ill health (e.g. fevers) associated with your disease. [ more ]

>	storage of sperm from dead or critically ill men Briefly outlined below are the relevant issues that need to be considered before sperm retrieved from dead or critically ill men is stored. [ more ]

>	testicular biopsy Sperm can be obtained directly from the testes using testicular biopsy, or by needle aspiration from the tubes, at the back of the testes, that carry the sperm. [ more ]

>	the genetics team at monash ivf [ more ]

>	the interpretation of semen analysis Introduction The analysis of freshly ejaculated semen is the most important diagnostic tool in the initial investigation of male fertility. Semen is a mixture of secretions from several components of the genital tract. [ more ]

>	the new medicare safety net in relation to your ivf treatment What do you have to do once you qualify & reach the threshold amount? [ more ]

>	vasectomy and sperm storage Vasectomy is a safe and effective long-term contraceptive option. By the age of 40 years, about 25% of Australians have undergone a vasectomy and there are about 30,000 procedures performed. [ more ]