FAQs/information

Below you'll find answers to common queries and useful information about our fertility services and fertility treatment. 

The information is split into three sections:

• Before treatment
• During treatment
• After treatment

1. My partner and I have already been investigated. Will I be on the waiting list sooner?
   At Homerton Fertility Centre, we perform some specialised tests for both you and your partner, which may not be available through your GP. Therefore, the waiting times remain the same.
   
   
2. How many cycles of IVF are we eligible for at Homerton Fertility Centre that will be funded by the NHS?
   Homerton Fertility Centre does not decide the number of cycles funded by the NHS. This is pre-decided by the local Integrated Care Board (ICB). Please contact your GP to find out what you are eligible for. The doctor in the clinic will discuss funding with you in your first appointment.
   
   
3. I have had a private IVF cycle already. Am I still eligible for treatment on the NHS?
   Any private attempts at IVF count towards your NHS cycle entitlement. You may still be eligible for NHS-funded treatment if you qualify for more than one cycle of IVF through the NHS.
   
   
4. I am undergoing self-funded treatment. Can I pay in instalments?
   The cost must be paid in full at the Homerton Hospital finance department before your treatment starts.
   
   
5. Am I the right age range to receive NHS-funded IVF treatment?
   NHS-funded IVF treatment is available for women aged 24 to 42. Women aged 40 to 42 are eligible for treatment only if they have not had any previous IVF attempts. Please note that age is not the sole criteria for determining eligibility and the fertility team will discuss the options with you.
   
   
6. Am I too old to have IVF treatment?
   Each case is assessed individually to determine if IVF treatment will be beneficial. However, Homerton Fertility Centre does not offer IVF treatment to women over 45 years old, even on a self funded basis.
   
   
7. I am a single woman. Can I have NHS-funded treatment?
   Your Integrated Care Board (ICB) (https://www.england.nhs.uk/integratedcare/what-is-integrated-care/) may fund IVF treatment if you have a fertility issue and meet the eligibility criteria, but the majority of single women will have to undergo self funded Intrauterine insemination (IUI) treatment before becoming eligible for the IVF.
   
   
8. I am considering egg donation. Does Homerton Fertility Centre offer egg donation services?
   Homerton Fertility Centre offer consultations to guide you through the process and medical aspects of egg donation. However, we do not offer egg donation services.
   
   
9. What are the best things we can do as a couple to help our treatment?
   Simple measures such as stopping smoking, reducing alcohol intake, eating a healthy diet with plenty of fresh fruit and vegetables, and doing some exercise can often help.
   
   
10. What if my partner or I have an inherited/genetic condition or are carriers?
    It is vital that you share this information with us. Homerton Fertility Centre may be able to offer counselling and additional testing to help you fully understand the risk of transmission and prevent your child from inheriting the condition. Conditions such as cystic fibrosis, Huntington disease, sickle cell disease, and others are important to disclose. If you are unsure, please let us know.
    
    
11. Why am I being asked for my passport and marriage certificate?
    By law, Homerton Fertility Centre must confirm the ID of the person we are treating, at various points during treatment. Married couples will be asked for their marriage certificate to ensure it is recognised in UK law. This is done to legally assign the correct parenthood to the couple. Read the  legal parenthood leaflet
    
    
12. Welfare of the child forms
    All our patients are routinely asked to complete a ‘Welfare of the Child’ Form. The law requires us to make sure that there are no medical or social reasons why our patients might not be suitable for treatment. This includes anything that may impact the welfare of any resulting child or the existing children.
    
    Answering yes to any of the question on the form does not necessarily mean that you won't be able to receive treatment.
    
    We may need to speak with other service. This could include your GP, Social Services, the Probation Service or the Police Department. To do this, we would require your written consent. Any concerns or further investigations needed will be discussed with you directly.
    
    
13. What is AMH?
    AMH stands for Anti-Mullerian Hormone and is produced by the ovarian follicles. It is measured by taking a blood sample, and all women referred to Homerton Fertility Centre will have their AMH level checked. AMH, along with performing an ultrasound scan in which the number of antral follicles (egg bags) is counted, is used to help predict a woman’s response to an IVF cycle as it gives an indication of ovarian reserve. AMH can range between 0 to more than 100. A woman who has a lower AMH and has lower numbers of antral follicles will be advised that she may not respond as well and could produce fewer or no eggs. Implications of all the blood tests and the scan will be discussed with you by the doctor.
    
    Different clinics use different scales to measure AMH levels and so some patients may have had a previous result taken elsewhere that does not match the result given at Homerton Fertility Centre.
    
    If your treatment hasn’t started within 6 months of being seen in clinic, we may advise repeating this test so the doctors can more accurately set the dose of stimulation drugs for your treatment.

1. Do I have to take time off work?
   Most patients feel ok during their treatment and do not need to alter their daily routine. A typical treatment cycle lasts between 5 to 7 weeks. You will however need to make time for regular scans and on the day of the planned egg collection and embryo transfer.
   
   
2. I do not want anyone to know that I am undergoing the treatment. How can I ensure my privacy?
   Homerton Fertility Centre take confidentiality very seriously. Your information will only be shared with healthcare professionals on a need-to-know basis, such as your GP. We will always ask for your consent on who we can share information with before starting treatment.
   
   
3. Can I exercise or swim during the treatment?
   Light exercise is permitted during your treatment cycle. Swimming should be avoided whenever a procedure is planned to reduce the risk of infection.
   
   
4. Can I have intercourse during the treatment?
   You should avoid intercourse or only engage in protected intercourse during your treatment.
   
   
5. Does my partner have to come for every visit?
   You and your partner are expected to attend all consultations with the doctor or nurses as well as the day of egg collection. You can, however, attend your scan appointments alone if you wish
   
   
6. How will I receive my medications?
   Once your treatment begins, all your medications will be delivered to your preferred address. Please store them as advised
   
   
7. Do I have to rest after the embryo transfer so the embryo does not fall out?
   Once the embryo is placed in the womb, there is no chance it will "fall out." Studies show that bed rest after embryo transfer does not improve pregnancy rates.
   
   
8. I am spotting after my embryo transfer? Does that mean I am not pregnant?
   Light bleeding and spotting after embryo transfer is common. You will only know if you are pregnant after your pregnancy test, which is scheduled for two weeks after embryo transfer.
   
   
9. I have pregnancy symptoms after the embryo transfer? Does that mean I am pregnant?
   You may experience symptoms such as breast tenderness and nausea due to the medication used to support the pregnancy. Please do not take your pregnancy test early, as the result will not be accurate and may cause additional stress.
   
   
10. How do you ensure that my egg and sperm are not mixed up with anyone else’s?
    Homerton Fertility Centre use two systems to prevent mixing of eggs and sperm: manual witnessing and electronic witnessing. These systems run side-by-side to ensure that eggs and sperm from different patients are not mixed.

1. My pregnancy test is positive. What do I do?
   Continue taking the medications we have prescribed. You will be invited for an early scan at 7-8 weeks to confirm the pregnancy’s viability.
   
   
2. Can I have intercourse after positive pregnancy test?
   Yes, once you feel physically and mentally ready, you can resume sexual activity.
   
   
3. My pregnancy test is negative. Can I see a specialist immediately to understand what went wrong?
   We understand how distressing this can be. Typically, you will see the specialist 8 weeks later to discuss and plan next steps. In the meantime, counselling services are available free of charge. Please schedule a counselling appointment if needed. Details of how to contact the counselling service are available on this website. 
    
4. Did I do anything wrong  that caused the pregnancy test to be negative?
   No, treatment outcome is mostly due to chance, and it can take more than one attempt to achieve pregnancy.
   
   
5. What should I I expect my periods to be like after a negative pregnancy test?
   You may experience an early or delayed period, which could be heavier than usual before it settles into its regular pattern.
   
   
6. How soon can I have intercourse after a negative pregnancy test?
   You can resume sexual activity as soon as you feel physically and mentally able.
   
   
7. Do I have to wait to start another cycle?
   All NHS patients will be placed on the waiting list. Taking time to heal physically and mentally is important. We advise making use of our counselling services while you are waiting, if you feel this would help you.