Articles

Conditions for IVF in the Czech Republic

29.9.2021 · 1 min reading

When it comes to in vitro fertilisation, there are a number of questions that couples longing for a baby ask us. What are the terms of the treatment? Are there any legislative restrictions? We will answer these questions and more in today's article.

Age as the main factor

Treatment at IVF clinics follow Czech law and are subject to several laws that stipulate the conditions under which you can undergo IVF treatment. Since it is often older women who decide to undergo in vitro fertilisation, it is probably no surprise that the maximum age at which it is possible to undergo IVF is a much-discussed topic – by law, the age of a woman on the day of the embryo transfer must not exceed 48 years + 364 days.

Without a partner? Not possible

You cannot undergo in vitro fertilisation without a partner – although you don’t have to be married and the man does not need to be present throughout the treatment, in vitro fertilisation is considered a couple therapy with which the patient’s partner of the opposite sex must agree. Czech law therefore does not allow assisted reproduction for lesbian couples or single women.

Choosing the baby’s sex: Boy or girl?

It is also not allowed to choose your preferred sex. According to applicable legislation, only a couple in which one partner is the carrier of a serious genetic disorder that can be passed on to a certain sex can choose the sex of their baby. For couples like these, the sex that is not at risk of the genetic disorder is chosen.

Egg and sperm donation: strictly anonymous

If a woman has trouble conceiving with her own eggs, or sperm from a donor needs to be used to fertilise the eggs, future parents may use donor programmes to increase their chances of getting pregnant. Sperm and egg donors undergo many examinations and are chosen very carefully – however, the clinic strictly guards their identity, just as it does the identity of the couple who receives their cells. By law, the donation of eggs and sperm is mutually anonymous.

What happens in the body after an embryo transfer: Embryo implantation

For couples undergoing IVF treatment, an embryo transfer is like the finish line - after ovarian stimulation for the release of healthy eggs, the eggs are very carefully collected, fertilised 'in vitro', and introduced into the uterine cavity after laboratory cultivation. How does the embryo implant in the uterus?

Sex and IVF: What do you need to know about sex during IVF treatment?

It's finally here - your IVF journey is beginning, and if everything goes smoothly, you will soon become parents. Although this tends to be accompanied with great hope and excitement, the treatment may also be stressful and raise 'safety' questions. One question that may arise is whether you can have sex during and after IVF treatment.

Ectopic pregnancy after IVF

In order for a pregnancy to progress successfully from two lines on a pregnancy test to delivery, a woman's body must fulfil several important tasks, one of which is the fertilised egg implanting in the uterus. Unfortunately, this is not always the case... In these cases women may experience an ectopic pregnancy. How can you recognize it and what are the risks?