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Frequently Asked Questions
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Do you have a Donor Egg Program? How long is the waiting list?
Do the doctors at OBFC perform surgery? Where?
What side effects can I expect from Depot Lupron?
What can be done to manage some of the symptoms of Depot Lupron?
Can I get pregnant while taking Depot Lupron?
Should I be concerned about bone loss with Depot Lupron?
How often do I need to come into the office for monitoring while I am on the fertility medications?
When I come in for my monitoring, what time does your facility open?
How long will I be taking the fertility medications?
Are all of the procedures performed in your facility?
Who does the ultrasound monitoring?
When will I start IVF treatment? How long does it take?
Do I need an appointment with a social worker to undergo IVF? Why?
I have done IVF elsewhere. Do I need another injection training class or IVF orientation?
What is IVF with ICSI?
How many embryos will be replaced in the stimulation cycle (fresh embryo transfer)?
What can we do with embryos that are not transferred?
What is embryo freezing (cryopreservation)?
What is the success rate for frozen embryo transfer?
Does embryo freezing (cryopreservation) increase the risk of congenital abnormalities?
How long can embryos be stored once they are frozen?
What is Assisted Hatching?
How much will my treatment or procedure cost?
Do you work with my insurance company?
How do I know if my insurance will pay?
What if my insurance does not pay?
What form of payment do you accept?
Do you have a Donor Egg Program? How long is the waiting list?
Yes, we do have a Donor Egg Program. The waiting time for a Donor can fluctuate but we do screen potential Donors throughout the year and maintain our records for prospective recipients.
Do the doctors at OBFC perform surgery? Where?
Surgeries are performed by Dr. Dmowski and Dr. Rana at the Oak Brook Surgical
Centre or at the 900 N. Michigan Ave. Surgical Center or, if the need arises, at one of the hospitals where they hold staff privileges.
What side effects can I expect from Depot Lupron?
Lupron can cause menopausal-like symptoms in women and these may include hot flashes, night sweats, vaginal dryness, headaches, and emotional mood swings.
What can be done to manage some of the symptoms of Depot Lupron?
These symptoms can often be relieved by using estrogen add-back in the form of a skin patch. The patch will deliver small doses of estrogen that will reduce symptoms but not re-activate endometriosis.
Can I get pregnant while taking Depot Lupron?
Not very likely because Depot Lupron inhibits ovarian function and stops ovulation. However there are exceptions and in some women, ovulation may occur. Therefore, it is recommended that you use barrier (non-hormonal birth control such a diaphragm with contraceptive jelly, condoms, or an IUD). If you think that you may have become pregnant while on the medication, let us know immediately.
Should I be concerned about bone loss with Depot Lupron?
A small amount of bone mineral loss (3.2% average) may occur during Depot Lupron therapy alone. However, this is usually partially or completely recovered after you stop therapy. If bone loss is a concern, we may want to consider add-back therapy which would be effective in preventing bone loss.
How often do I need to come into the office for monitoring while I am on the fertility medications?
Every 2-3 days.
When I come in for my monitoring, what time does your facility open?
We open at 7:30 a.m. Blood tests and ultrasounds need to be performed before 10:00 am in order to get the results back before the end of the same day.
How long will I be taking the fertility medications?
For COH - 5 to 10 days (average)
For IVF - 9 to 12 days (average)
Are all of the procedures performed in your facility?
Surgery and HSGs are performed at separate facilities; all other procedures, including IVF, are performed in our office.
Who does the ultrasound monitoring?
Transvaginal ultrasounds are performed by our nursing staff or physicians, when necessary. All of our nursing and medical staff have been trained in ultrasonography, our office is certified by the American Institute of Ultrasound in Medicine (AIUM), and our nurses either have RDMS certifications or are in the process of completing the certification.
When will I start IVF treatment? How long does it take?
As soon as you complete all pre-IVF testing and required consultations, you will be ready to start treatment. Call our office when your mensis begins and a timeline will be given to you. To complete one IVF treatment, it takes two menstrual cycles.
Do I need an appointment with a social worker to undergo IVF? Why?
Our counselors will discuss with you various options pertaining to the use of your own or donor gametes (eggs and sperm) for IVF, the number of embryos to be transferred or cryopreserved, and the disposition of supranumerary embryos. You will be asked to sign consent forms at that time and you will be encouraged to discuss any problems that relate to your marriage or family.
I have done IVF elsewhere. Do I need another injection training class or IVF orientation?
Yes as each clinic does differ in their specific policies and treatment protocols.
What is IVF with ICSI?
Intracytoplasmic Sperm Injection (ICSI) during the IVF cycle is performed when male factor is present or when fertilization has not occurred. During this procedure, one sperm is injected into each egg via sophisticated micromanipulation with special equipment. This procedure enhances fertilization rate.
How many embryos will be replaced in the stimulation cycle (fresh embryo transfer)?
For women under the age of 35 undergoing their first IVF cycle, we recommend transferring no more than 2 good quality embryos. If embryo quality is low, 3 embryos can be transferred. For those patients ages 35-38 or those younger patients with previously failed IVF cycle(s), 2-3 embryos may be transferred depending on the quality of their embryos. For women older than 39, 3 to 4 embryos may be replaced depending on the quality of their embryos. We would like to maximize the chance for pregnancy without undue risk of a multiple gestation.
What can we do with embryos that are not transferred?
Good quality leftover embryos can be cryopreserved (frozen) for future use.
What is embryo freezing (cryopreservation)?
Embryos selected for cryopreservation are treated with special media containing cryoprotectants. They are then loaded into cryo-vials or straws and placed in special chambers where the temperature is reduced to -196șC according to a special computerized program. Embryos are then stored in liquid nitrogen at -196șC for future use.
What is the success rate for frozen embryo transfer?
Overall survival rate after freezing and thawing is about 85%. The likelihood of pregnancy after a transfer of frozen-thawed embryos is about 40 to 50%.
Does embryo freezing (cryopreservation) increase the risk of congenital abnormalities?
Offspring born from frozen embryos has a similar rate of congenital abnormalities as does offspring of the general population.
How long can embryos be stored once they are frozen?
Theoretically, once frozen, embryos can be stored for hundreds of years. Healthy babies have been born from transfers of embryos stored for more than 10 years.
What is Assisted Hatching?
Assisted Hatching is a laboratory procedure to create an opening in the zona pellucida that surrounds the embryo. For implantation and pregnancy to occur, the embryo must 'hatch' out of the zona pellucida. In some patients, failure to establish a pregnancy after IVF may be related to the inability of the embryo to get out of the zona pellucida.
How much will my treatment or procedure cost?
This will vary according to the treatment/procedure. Once our physician has recommended treatment and has discussed the procedure(s) involved, a billing representative will discuss costs with you.
Do you work with my insurance company?
We work with numerous insurance companies, actually too many to list here. Please call 866-759-5832 and our office manager will be happy to answer your questions. If she is not available, please leave your name, phone number, and the best time to return your call.
How do I know if my insurance will pay?
One of our billing specialists will verify your insurance and ask for benefits. It is also a good idea for you to check with your insurance regarding guidelines, amount of deductible, co-payments, and annual or lifetime maximum amounts. Once the treatment has been discussed, a representative will inform you of your insurance coverage, deductible, limitations, and co-payments.
What if my insurance does not pay?
You will be responsible for your treatment charges. We do have special package programs and payment arrangements can be made.
What form of payment do you accept?
We accept cash, check, money order, Visa, and Mastercard.
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Approach One - (COH/AIH) Approach Two - (IVF/ET) 
Symptoms/Diagnosis Management of Infertility Management of Chronic Pelvic Pain 
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Dr. Dmowski Dr. Rana Dr. Ding Nurses Facilities Accrediation / Affiliations 
