Preparing for IVF

Required tests for couples before initial consultation with a fertility expert at ‘Nadezhda’:

For the female partner:

• Hormones: FSH, LH, E2 (estradiol)  (to be tested on days two to three of your menstrual cycle), AMH (Anti-Mullerian hormone);
• TSH, Ft4, TAT, MAT and PRL (to be tested on non-bleeding days of the menstrual cycle, before 10 in the morning, abstain from coffee before the test);
• Vitamin B12 (fasting – no food or drink before the blood draw);
• Insulin resistance (Oral glucose tolerance test – the test requires about two hours to complete and is performed in the morning, with a fasting first draw no later than 08:00);
• Serology for STDs (HIV, hepatitis B and C, syphilis)  – we recommend that the test be done soon before the consultation date (its validity is three months).

For the male partner:

• Semen analysis  (must be performed at ‘Nadezhda’ andrology lab) – three to five days of sexual abstinence are required, as well as booking an appointment at Registrations desk or via the hospital call centre, at phone No.: +35924417970 or +359882193970;
• Serology for STDs  (HIV, hepatitis B and C, syphilis)  – we recommend that the test be done soon before the consultation date (its validity is three months).

Please remember to bring copies of all your previous tests, medical imaging reports, hospital discharge summaries from previous surgeries and treatment you have.

Your fertility consultant will inform you when to book your first monitoring appointment. You can do this in person at the Registration desk, via our call centre at phone No.: +35924417970, +359882193970, +359882193972, or with a call to our dedicated mobile line for IVF bookings, +359884743574, available from 8:00 to 20:00.

Your fertility consultant will inform you when to book your appointment to start the IVF cycle proper. You can do this in person at the Registration desk, via our call centre at phone No.: +35924417970, +359882193970, +359882193972, or with a call to our dedicated mobile line for IVF bookings, +359884743574, available from 8:00 to 20:00. Our staff will ask you several questions to confirm the type of appointment needed and finalise the booking in the schedule of your fertility consultant. You will need to present them with personal data – full name and Personal ID Number.

NB!  The length of your menstrual cycle is calculated from day one of bleeding on the previous month to day one on the next. Day one of menstruation is considered the first day of full flow bleeding. If bleeding has set in the afternoon or the evening, the next day is taken as day one.

During the preparation phase for the IVF cycle, your fertility consultant will keep you informed about the stages of the procedure and will discuss with you every next step. In some cases, they may assign additional tests and consultations besides the required tests you presented at the initial appointment. For example, if you have concomitant diseases or conditions that might affect the results of the IVF cycle (e.g., diabetes, thyroid disease, etc.). Do not hesitate to ask any questions you might have about your IVF cycle.

 On the day your stimulation is set to start, you have to come before the appointment with your fertility consultant to do the blood tests he had assigned for the start of the procedure. Your doctor will make an ultrasound scan to check your ovaries, uterus, and overall gynaecological status. The results of your blood work, together with the scan, provide important information to the consultant so that he can give the green light for the start of the IVF cycle. Please keep in mind that it takes about two hours for your test results to come out, so plan your visit to the hospital in such a way that the hormone test results are ready by the time of your appointment.

NB! If you are about to start an IVF cycle that will be reimbursed by the Bulgarian Centre for assisted reproduction (CAR), please do not forget to hand in the Order you received by CAR to our coordinator.