Making a decision on the best IVF center in Dubai or Abu Dhabi can feel like an overwhelming choice for couples. Understanding complex procedures, costs, side effects, protocol, and importantly, finding a doctor with whom you feel comfortable is a challenge. Whilst to some extent the facts about centers are universal, the choice for the ‘best IVF center’, is subjective and depends on the personal preferences of each couple.
Our fertility experts offer years of international best practices, the latest innovations, and client-centric care for all clients, based on individual circumstances and specific needs. To get started, here is an overview of treatment, costs, success rates, tests, FAQs, and some thoughts on what to ask in an initial consultation.
The IVF process explained:
IVF is one of the most popular ART treatments and is commonly available around the world, including in Dubai. Most people have a basic understanding of the procedure – sperm and eggs are mixed artificially and then put back into the female to produce a pregnancy. Whilst the exact process might differ from clinic to clinic, a typical protocol would follow the steps below:
Women:
Step 1: suppressing the natural menstrual cycle
Women are given medicine to suppress their natural menstrual cycle. This is used to make the medication used in the next steps more effective. This is either given as a daily injection or as a nasal spray, with treatment lasting around two weeks.
Step 2: stimulating the ovaries to produce more eggs
Once the natural cycle is suppressed, women take a fertility hormone called follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH). This increases the number of eggs that the ovaries produce, allowing the medical team to collect and fertilize greater numbers. The higher the number of fertilized eggs, the greater the chances of successful treatment.
Step 3: Checking progress
Patients are monitored throughout the treatment. This involves vaginal ultrasound scans to monitor the ovaries and, in some cases, blood tests. At the direction of the medical professional, before the eggs are collected, patients are given an injection of a hormone called human chorionic gonadotrophin (hCG) to help eggs mature.
Step 4: collecting the eggs
On the day of egg collection, patients are sedated and eggs are collected. This is done using a needle that’s passed through the vagina and into each ovary under ultrasound guidance. This is a minor procedure that takes about 15 to 20 minutes. Some women experience cramps or a small amount of vaginal bleeding after this procedure.
Step 5: fertilizing the eggs
The collected eggs are then mixed with the partner’s sperm in a laboratory to fertilize them. In some cases, each egg may need to be injected individually with a single sperm. This is called intra-cytoplasmic sperm injection or ICSI. The fertilized eggs (embryos) continue to grow in the laboratory for up to six days before being transferred into the womb. The best one or two embryos will be chosen for transfer. After egg collection, patients are given hormone medicines to help prepare the lining of the womb to receive the embryo. This is usually given either as a pessary placed inside the vagina, an injection, or a gel.
Step 6: embryo transfer
A few days after the eggs are collected, the embryos are transferred into the womb. This is done using a thin tube called a catheter that’s passed into the vagina. This procedure is simpler than egg collection and similar to having a cervical screening test, so patients are typically not sedated. The number of embryos that will be transferred should be discussed before treatment starts.
Men:
Around the time that their partner’s eggs are collected, men are asked to produce a fresh sperm sample. The sperm are washed and spun at a high speed so the healthiest and most active sperm can be selected.
The Two Week Wait:
Once the embryos have been transferred into the womb, couples are advised to wait around two weeks before having a pregnancy test to see if the treatment has worked. Some clinics may suggest carrying out a normal urine pregnancy test at home and letting them know the result, while others may prefer for patients to come into the clinic for a more accurate blood test.
This two-week wait can be a very difficult period because of the anxiety of not knowing whether the treatment has worked. Some people find it the hardest part of the treatment process. During this tough period, patients may find it useful to speak to a counselor or seek support from a fertility network.
If patients do become pregnant, ultrasound scans will be carried out during the following weeks to check things are progressing as expected. Patients are then transferred to normal antenatal care for the duration of their pregnancy.
Unfortunately, IVF is unsuccessful in many cases and patients should try to prepare themselves for this outcome. Of course, couples can try successive cycles if they are unsuccessful but are advised to wait and not rush.
IVF treatment costs, UAE:
IVF treatments are notoriously expensive, and we recommend careful consideration is required before any financial outlay. Typically, egg freezing costs in Dubai range upwards of 12,000 AED for a package. IVF packages start from 20,000 AED, including medication. However, for IVF treatments with complete genetic testing, the packages range from around 32,000 AED. Patients can also enquire about special promotions and seasonal offers (summer / Ramadan).
The team understands that the appeal of cheaper fertility treatments can be appealing. However, the medicine and support involved in making fertility treatment real and viable, however does require hard costs.
Clinics that cut corners to reduce costs may not offer the required level of treatments and customer care as the job demands a lot of expertise, experience and state-of-the-art facilities. For example, cheaper cycles can mean that patients often consult with a nurse practitioner rather than a board-certified reproductive endocrinologist.
IVF, other costs to consider:
Preimplantation Genetic Testing (PGT):
Some patients are recommended to consider genetic testing on their embryos to check that they are chromosomally normal. This process is called Preimplantation Genetic Testing, or PGT. Typically, older patients or those with a history of miscarriage or genetic issues are candidates. In Dubai, PGT can add between AED 5,500 to AED 11,000 on a cycle.
Frozen Embryo Transfer:
Patients may decide to freeze embryos for use in subsequent cycles. Thawing frozen embryos and using them to transfer into the uterus to achieve a pregnancy is called a Frozen Embryo Transfer, or FET. Since the embryos are already created, you do not need expensive medication to stimulate the ovaries, just the medications that help support a pregnancy, which are much less costly.
IVF success rates:
Happily, Dubai clinics offer some of the best IVF success rates in the world. It is important to note that because cycles using donor eggs are not required, all clinics base their rates on couples’ own embryos, comprising their own oocytes and sperm.
Age and IVF success rate:
Under 35: Women aged 35 or below have higher success rates with an estimated 40% to 60% chance of live birth per cycle.
35 to 37: In this category, IVF success decreases slightly with an estimated live birth rate between 35% to 45%.
38-40: IVF success rates continue to decline among women aged 38-40 with live birth rates between 20%-35%.
40+: Women who are over 40 face the lowest success rates when trying to conceive, with approximately a 10%-20% chance of a live birth.
Suggested questions for first-time patients:
Here are some questions to consider asking when seeing a fertility expert for the first time:
- What’s your overall success rate?
- What are my chances of getting pregnant / achieving my goals?
- What types of fertility treatments do you offer?
- How many embryos are typically retrieved and transferred to a patient like me?
- What is your approach to creating a treatment plan?
- How Many Cycles Of Treatment Are Recommended Before Trying Other Options?
- Can I consider less invasive options?
- How will you decide which fertility treatment is most appropriate for me?
- What are the likely costs? Do you offer a payment plan?
- What is my likely timeframe of success?
- What side effects should I be aware of?
- Do you recommend any additional lifestyle modifications?
- How will we communicate?
FAQs:
Is IVF covered by insurance in the UAE?
Many IVF centers work with insurance partners to lessen the costs of treatment. Coverage of infertility treatment varies per insurance provider, with some offering full coverage, whilst others partial or none. Patients should check with their provider before embarking on their fertility journey.
Are donor eggs allowed in the UAE?
In the past, freezing embryos was not allowed in the UAE, but this is no longer the case. A sufficient number of eggs can now be fertilized and stored, for up to five years, for future use. As of now, the use of a sperm (male) or egg (female) donor is against the law.
What are the risks of IVF?
IVF raises the chances of certain health problems. From short term to longer term, these risks include:
- Stress.
IVF can be draining for the body, mind, and finances. Support from counselors, family, and friends can help you and your partner through the ups and downs of infertility treatment. We recommend making sure your lifestyle and mental health support positive outcomes of treatment. Speak to one of our team to learn more.
- Complications from the egg retrieval procedure.
Fertility hormones are given in a treatment cycle to stimulate the sacs (folicules) in the ovaries that each contain an egg. Once mature, a procedure is done to harvest the eggs, which is called egg retrieval. Ultrasound images are used to guide a long, thin needle through the vagina and into the follicles to harvest the eggs. The needle could cause bleeding, infection, or damage to the bowel, bladder, or blood vessel. Risks are also linked with the anesthesia given to patients during this procedure.
- Ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome.
This is a condition in which the ovaries become swollen and painful. It can be caused by receiving shots of fertility medicines, such as human chorionic gonadotropin (HCG), to trigger ovulation. Symptoms often last up to a week. They include mild belly pain, bloating, upset stomach, vomiting and diarrhea. If the patient becomes pregnant,symptoms might last a few weeks. Rarely, do females get a worse form of ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome that causes rapid weight gain and shortness of breath.
- Miscarriage.
The rate of miscarriage for people who conceive using IVF with fresh embryos is similar to that of people who conceive naturally, about 15% for pregnant people in their 20s to over 50% for those in their 40s. The rate rises with the pregnant person’s age.
- Ectopic pregnancy.
This is a condition in which a fertilized egg attaches to tissue outside the uterus, often in a fallopian tube. The embryo can’t survive outside the uterus, and there’s no way to continue the pregnancy. A small percentage of people who use IVF will have an ectopic pregnancy.
- Multiple pregnancy.
IVF raises the risk of having more than one baby. Becoming pregnant with multiple babies carries higher risks of pregnancy-related high blood pressure and diabetes, early labor and delivery, low birth weight, and birth defects than does pregnancy with a single baby.
- Birth defects.
The age of the mother is the main risk factor for birth defects, no matter how the child is conceived. However assisted reproductive technologies such as IVF are linked with a slightly higher risk of a baby being born with heart issues, digestive problems, or other conditions. More research is needed to find out if it’s IVF that causes this raised risk or something else.
- Premature delivery and low birth weight.
Research suggests that IVF slightly raises the risk that the baby will be born early or with a low birth weight.
What factors affect IVF success?
IVF is a complex medical procedure, with many factors that can influence a positive outcome. We encourage couples to educate themselves on all the variables impacting success.
- Age: Age is an integral component of IVF success. Younger women typically have higher success rates as their eggs tend to be healthier. Conversely, older patients have a lower chance of a successful live birth, and a higher risk of early pregnancy loss, chromosome abnormality, and genetic disorders.
- Cause of infertility: The source of infertility plays an instrumental role in its success as treated through IVF. Factors such as tubal issues, sperm quality, and ovarian reserve can have profound impacts on outcomes.
- Reproductive history: A woman’s reproductive history, including miscarriages or failed IVF attempts in the past, can have an effect on the success rates of future attempts at conception.
- Lifestyle: Lifestyle choices such as smoking, alcohol consumption, stress, sleep, and diet can have an effect on IVF success. We recommend that fertility treatments are conducted alongside a full review of lifestyle choices and options to mitigate harmful habits.
- Treatment protocol: The IVF treatment protocol chosen by the medical team can have a profound impact on success rates. Medication dosage and type are two major considerations here, and may ultimately determine its success rate.
