Over the last few years, infertility treatment has shifted considerably forward, and it seems that successful innovations in the field of reproductive medicine will be under watch for some time. However, not everywhere couple receive the same care. Whether for legislative reasons or due to clinic and laboratory facilities.
Anonymity of sperm donors and egg donors
There are several approaches to the anonymity of sperm donors or egg donors. Although in the Czech Republic the donation of sex cells is anonymous, it is not always standard in other countries. In the UK, a descendant/child at the age of 18 can apply for identifying information about their parents. In Spain, a child can only request non-identifying information in case he / she would become ill with a serious illness.
Transfer of multiple embryos
For a long time was the assisted reproduction associated with multiple pregnancies. In fact, the twins have been born more often thanks to the transfer of multiple embryos. However now, in a modern medical society, it is clear that in order to prevent the risk of undesirable pregnancy, is the transfer of one embryo desirable. Probability of becoming pregnant does not decrease in this way, on the contrary, the risk of complications in pregnancy or during the delivery is reduced. In some foreign countries, however, both centers and clients themselves still prefer the transfer of more embryos.
Reimbursement from health insurance
The participation of health insurers in the process of assisted reproduction varies greatly in the world. In Israel, costs are covered up to the birth of two children, in case that the medical reason for IVF is proven. In the Netherlands three cycles are covered, but there is no insurance participation in China. In the Czech Republic, the patient is entitled to four IVF cycle, in case of transfer of one embryo in each cycle. For US patients, it depends on the type of insurance, but in most cases IVF is not reimbursed.
Preiplantation genetic diagnosis (PGD)
Preimplantation genetic diagnostics is a method that allows the selection of a healthy embryo before transfer to the mother’s body. Some European countries do not have this method at all – for example Switzerland and some of them allow this to a limited extent – Germany. In other countries, this method has been recently approved, but clinics have a lack of necessary experience to perform these sophisticated procedures. Our clinic became in a year 2000 the first center, not only in the Czech Republic, but throughout Central and Eastern Europe, where the PGD was successfully realized.
Waiting times
Last but not least why clients from the UK, Germany or Italy taking an advantage of having a treatment in the Czech Republic are long waiting times in their countries. These are often longer than one year and therefore they preffer to have the treatment without delay at their own cost.
