There are currently multiple studies which confirm that children born through assisted reproduction techniques are the same as those born through natural fertilisation.
In this case, an answer is provided by legislation on the matter. No more than six children originating from one donor may be born, so the risk of inbreeding is extremely small.
All such considerations are understandable, and the focus is on the desire and opportunity that this new alternative offers, so that parents can enjoy the expectation of the unborn child from the very first moment that the pregnancy is confirmed.
In the psychological assessment of donors, there is a lot of emphasis on how the donation is perceived by the donors. They usually think that they are simply donating a cell, just like someone who donates blood. They tend not to reflect any more on it, since an embryo might be generated from this cell or not, and, in any case, the result will always be different depending on the other gamete used for fertilization. In any case, Spanish legislation is extremely clear: donations are anonymous, and parentage is determined first and foremost by childbirth.
Usually, once the child has been conceived, all doubts and fears fade away as the parents focus on pregnancy. If, in exceptional cases, some fear persists throughout the pregnancy, this normally completely disappears on the birth of the child. Most mothers simply do not think about it anymore. Cases of perinatal rejection and postpartum depression are much less frequent in assisted reproduction, since mothers who resort to such methods have often yearned to fulfil their dream of motherhood for a long time, and are extremely happy when they achieve it.
In selecting sperm and egg donors, we pay careful attention to physical characteristics to ensure that they are as similar as possible to the parents. The selected gamete also receives a contribution from the other parent.
To discover what most influences the development of a child, various clinical studies have been carried out on homozygous, or identical, twins separated at birth, revealing the characteristics they most had in common with each other and with the families that had brought them up. In general, the research showed that they were most like their host families in terms of temperament, mannerisms and gestures, even in general appearance. This is because children mostly learn from and imitate their parents’ behaviours. Indeed, parents with both biological and adopted children often feel that the children identify equally with them and their siblings alike.
In any case, it is important to remember two utterly indisputable facts: that humans have over 90% of their DNA in common, meaning that our similarities are enormous, and that, at the same time, every human being is unique and unrepeatable.
It is increasingly common for women without partners to decide to become mothers. At FIV Valencia, an increase in this type of consultation and treatment has been observed. For this purpose, we have a sperm bank from carefully selected donors, perfectly covering this societal demand.
Sterility treatments do not cause psychological problems, although there are aspects such as repeat visits, examinations, analyses, medication, waiting times, and negative results which may cause stress and anxiety.
Therefore, at FIV Valencia we believe that adequate emotional support is very important. For this purpose, each week we hold relaxation sessions and all patients have a free consultation with the psychologist of the centre who will analyse and provide the couple with very useful tools for avoiding these undesirable symptoms.
Although the ideal age for pregnancy is under 35 years, today there are measures for the care and control of pregnancy and the foetus which allow the normal development of pregnancy at over 40 years of age.
However, if an upper limit must be placed, it would be around 45-47 years, providing that there is an adequate state of health.
Distance is not a problem at all. With the treatments we offer, we can carry out and monitor IVF and egg donation treatments without distance being an obstacle.
We currently carry out treatments with couples from other autonomous communities and even other countries. It is important to visit the clinic at least once with all the usual tests (hormones, semen, etc.) and the overview of treatments carried out in other centres, if applicable. With all this information, the most suitable protocol will be carefully selected, planned and explained so that the next visit to the centre will practically be to complete the treatment.
We also have an emergency telephone, email and fax service, which will serve to clarify any query which may arise.
We currently have shorter, simpler, and more easily administrated treatments which, along with continuous clinic opening hours from 10:00 to 20:00, offer couples a very flexible schedule to adapt to almost all needs.
Additionally, the number of visits is 3 per stimulation cycle with waiting times of under 20 minutes.
There is not a waiting list for treatment at FIV Valencia. The appointment for the first visit will be in 2 to 3 days’ time. Once attended to, the couple will be offered the treatment most suitable for their case, which will begin as soon as possible.
Egg recipient couples will also not have to wait, and given that the endometrial preparation requires 2-3 weeks, treatments will be scheduled when they visit the clinic to request this technique (25 to 45 days).
Each technique has a pregnancy rate. Treatments such as artificial insemination whose pregnancy rate is around 15% for each attempt; in vitro fertilisation triples the success rate of artificial insemination (45%); and finally, egg donation offers a 65% pregnancy rate.
With the treatments we have today, almost all cases of sterility can be resolved.
Each problem has a specific treatment, but sometimes several aspects must be considered at the same time, seeking the best possible solution.
Artificial insemination (AI), which consists of mild ovarian stimulation in order to obtain between 1-3 follicles, and coinciding with the ovulation the woman will be inseminated, introducing the capacitated (prepared) sperm inside the uterus.
In Vitro Fertilisation (IVF) consists of an ovarian stimulation treatment to achieve an adequate follicular response (5-15 follicles). When the follicles have a size of 18-20mm, the ovules are extracted with a small intervention and mild anaesthesia. The ovules extracted in the laboratory are inseminated with the couple’s semen. Two days later, the two best embryos we have obtained are introduced through embryo transfer.
Advanced age of the woman (>35 years) is a cause of sterility, as two phenomena occur: firstly the ovarian reserve begins to diminish significantly; and secondly the quality of the ovules also deteriorates, especially from 38 years of age.
It is also important to know that the success rate of assisted reproduction techniques also diminishes with age. Therefore, when a woman over 35 years of age does not become pregnant in the first 6 months, she must consult the specialist.
To have children, sexual intercourse is necessary at least 2-3 times per week. Contrary to popular belief, the appropriate day does not have to be sought or calculated unless indicated by the specialist. With this frequency, there is an 85% probability of pregnancy being achieved during the first year.
A woman who has regular cycles every 25 to 35 days almost certainly has ovulatory cycles. Normally, there is a fixed period of 14 days from ovulation beginning until the start of menstruation; therefore, a woman who has cycles every 26 days will ovulate on day 12 of her cycle.
Sterility affects men (40%) and women (40%) to a practically equal extent. In the remaining 20% of cases the cause is unknown or not apparent. The problem may sometimes affect both members of the couple (20%).
Sterility problems affect 16% of couples of reproductive age. This percentage increases to 50% for women over 40 years old.
Among the female causes are ovulation problems, tubal obstruction, endometriosis and diminished ovarian reserve, often due to advanced age. With regard to the male, there is often a diminished number and mobility of sperm cells.
Although often used interchangeably, sterility refers to couples who have had unprotected sexual intercourse for one year without conceiving. Infertility refers to pregnant women who cannot carry a pregnancy to term and give birth to a healthy baby.