IVF Laboratory and Clinic Singer IVF

FAQ - Frequently Asked Questions

• When should we get in touch?

  As a rule of thumb: after one year of regular intercourse without conception – earlier from age 35 onward, after about six months. Plus always when something is already known that might stand in the way, or simply when you would like clarity. → First Steps

• Do we need a referral? And will you take us on if we started elsewhere?

  No referral is needed; you can contact us directly. And yes – we take on couples in the middle of the process too. Bring whatever results you have; if you began an assessment or treatment elsewhere, we are happy to continue it. → Contact → Book Online

• How long until the first appointment?

  For an initial fertility consultation you will usually have an appointment within 2–3 weeks.
  → Contact → Book Online

• How do we prepare for the first appointment? And can we come together?

  We see fertility and its treatment as a shared matter and welcome both partners at the first consultation. Coming alone is equally possible. Bring any documents you have: earlier findings, semen analyses, operation reports, vaccination record. Information about your cycle is helpful too. Everything else we discuss together.
  → First Steps

• Is it me or my partner?

  Almost every couple asks this – and it rarely leads anywhere. The causes are distributed roughly equally between both partners, and often several factors combine. That is why we always assess both, right from the start. → Fertility Assessment

• What if no cause is found despite the assessment?

  This does happen and is called «unexplained subfertility» – but it does not mean nothing can be done. Even without an identifiable cause there are effective treatment options, and the chances are often better than the term suggests. → Fertility Treatments

• What is the difference between insemination, IVF and ICSI?

  With insemination, prepared sperm are placed into the uterus around ovulation – fertilization happens inside the body. With IVF fertilization takes place in the laboratory, where egg and sperm are brought together. With ICSI, a single sperm is injected directly into the egg. We choose as simple as possible, as much as necessary.
   → Fertility Treatments → IVF/ICSI 

• Does egg retrieval hurt?

  The retrieval is performed under ultrashort anaesthesia – you feel nothing. Afterwards there may be a pulling sensation for a day or two, like a heavier period. Most women are back to normal the following day.
  → IVF - Egg Retrieval

• How many appointments, how much time – and how long does the whole process take?

  From the first assessment to the start of treatment usually takes a few weeks; an IVF cycle itself lasts around four to six weeks. How many cycles it will take cannot be predicted – which is why we plan in stages and take stock together along the way. → Fertility Assessment → Fertility Treatments

• What are the chances of success, realistically?

  That depends above all on age and cause – blanket figures are misleading. We report our results annually to FIVNAT, the official Swiss IVF registry, and publish them openly. What also matters is the cumulative chance across several attempts, not just the first cycle. → Success Rates

• What is the risk of twins?

  Far lower than most people think. We transfer only a single embryo at a time – precisely because a singleton pregnancy is the safer one for mother and child. The era of frequent multiple births after fertility treatment is over. → Fertility Treatments

• What does it cost, and what does insurance cover?

  Basic insurance usually covers all assessments and up to three inseminations. IVF is not covered in Switzerland; we operate with transparent package prices for IVF and ICSI, with the first embryo transfer always being included, even if deferred. Before every step you know what to expect.
   → Our Prices 

• And if it doesn't work?

  This question belongs here, and it is the hardest one. After unsuccessful attempts we take stock together: what have we learned, what would be the next sensible step, and when is it right to pause. You do not walk this path alone.