Acupuncture and Reflexology, administered by an experienced practitioner who is aware of your medical diagnoses and treatment plan, can facilitate relaxation as well as optimize ovarian response and implantation. We encourage our patients to seek assistance in these areas. Herbal medicines can be helpful but also potentially dangerous. We ask our couples to review any herbal medication with us prior to starting a course. They need to be dispensed under the guidance of an experienced practitioner.
Endometriosis is a medical condition where cells that usually remain confined to the cavity of the uterus, grow outside of the uterus usually on or in the ovaries and also on the surface of the pelvic cavity between the uterus and the rectum. Endometriosis can cause pelvic pain and may also decrease the chances of natural conception, as it can affect tubal function and ovulation. Patients who require IVF and who have endometriosis should still have the same chances of a successful outcome as patients of the same age without endometriosis.
Once you are discharged we recommend our patients rest the day of the embryo transfer procedure. Normal activities can be resumed the day afterwards. We do not recommend any high impact activities or over-exertion until the pregnancy test. We advise patients to avoid any hot-tubs/Jacuzzis or hot baths during this time also. Sexual intercourse can resume at any time depending on the female patients level of comfort after the egg retrieval.
We recommend you take one month’s break between fresh IVF cycles to allow the ovaries to resume to normal before being re-stimulated. If you do have frozen embryos remaining from your fresh cycle however, you can choose to proceed with a frozen embryo transfer cycle without a break.
In general, the IVF medications used to prepare the uterus and to stimulate the ovaries only have temporary symptoms such as abdominal bloating, low-grade headaches, hot flushes, mood swings but are not known to carry any long-term risks of cancer of the ovary, unless there is a family history of ovarian cancer. The most serious side effect would be ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome (OHSS)
All couples undergoing IVF at BFC require pre-cycle testing. A general list of these tests are available here but they do vary slightly depending on what treatment a couple is having. The list appropriate to you will be available after your initial consultation.
Your first step is to fill out the contact form on our website. We will contact you to schedule a consultation with one of our Fertility Specialists. You do not need a referral letter for this appointment.
After your consultation with the consultant, if an IVF cycle has been decided as the treatment most suitable for you, you will have a consultation with a Clinical Nurse Coordinator. At this consultation our nurse will give you a full overview and orientation of the details and procedures involved in an IVF cycle. Our nurse will also give you a step-by-step outline of what to expect during your treatment and any additional tests required.
At Barbados Fertility Center, we pride ourselves on being a leader in the latest techniques used in our medical field and use the method of vitrification to freeze embryos. With the vitrification technique, embryos can be stored indefinitely.
Depending on your budget, you can choose to stay in self catering accommodation, a hotel on a bed & breakfast basis or all inclusive. There are many accommodation options in Barbados and our patient liaison officer works with you to keep your budget on track.
We recommend that you stay on the south coast to be close by to the clinic for your procedures and these two self catering options are both within walking distance of the clinic.
There are daily direct flights to Grantley Adams International Airport from London, Manchester, New York, Miami, Toronto and most of the neighboring Caribbean islands.