FERTILITY CARE

Here at the International Health Centre we frequently see clients that may be just starting to plan a pregnancy or may have been trying to conceive for some time. We offer pre-conception care, investigations into possible causes for infertility, as well as certain treatments such as ovarian stimulation to induce ovulation. In addition, we often see clients that are undertaking fertility treatments elsewhere and come to see us for ultrasound monitoring. However, we do not offer more advanced fertility treatments such as IUI, IVF or egg freezing, and we will therefore refer you to the appropriate clinic should this be your chosen next step.

Fertility treatment abroad
If you are planning or have already started fertility treatment abroad, you can contact us for ultrasound monitoring. This is possible from Monday to Friday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Unfortunately we are closed on weekends. We ask you to contact us as early as possible to book an appointment to ensure that we are able to offer you an appointment on the required date.

*Please note that in accordance with the law for registered gynecologists in the Netherlands, we are unfortunately not able to assist patients that are undergoing fertility treatment with an anonymous egg, sperm or embryo donor. Since 2004 the Netherlands has forbidden the use of oocytes, sperm or embryos from anonymous donors, and gynaecologists are also not able to assist those who sought an anonymous donor abroad. This means that we cannot offer ultrasound monitoring or additional examinations for this group of patients. These restrictions do not apply for patients undergoing fertility treatments with a known donor.

Before you get pregnant

Your chances of becoming pregnant and having a healthy pregnancy and baby are better if you and your partner are as fit and healthy as possible. Before you try for a baby there are some things to consider that can help improve your chances of getting pregnant and having a healthy pregnancy. This includes things such as knowing how to determine your fertile days and how any medical conditions, medications or deficiencies may affect a future pregnancy. It is also important to consider your sexual health and to treat any sexually transmitted infections that may be present. It is therefore worth making an appointment with your doctor, gynaecologist or midwife to get tested. They will also be able to advise you on preconception and pregnancy care.

Call us to book an appointment

If you have further questions about our fertility services, or if you would like to book an appointment, please call us on 0703065126, or email us at ihchgyne@ezorg.nl. Please be sure to state your full name and date of birth in your email.

If you are worried or concerned about trying to get pregnant, below you will find some information that may be useful:

Approximately 80% of all couples will get pregnant within 1 year of regular, unprotected intercourse. The chance of conception is about 25-30% per cycle. This is also the case for young women.

Fertility testing is often only considered if a pregnancy does not occur after more than 1 year. When fertility issues exist, about 30% of cases are due to female factors, another 30% due to male factors, and in another 30% of cases it is due to a combination of both. In about 10% of cases there is no known cause for the infertility. Sometimes, sexual problems such as vaginism or erectile dysfunction, are the cause. These require a very different treatment approach, and therefore it is important to mention this at the intake appointment.

Possible causes in women:
-Irregular cycle, hormonal problems, absent or only occasional ovulation
-Blocked fallopian tubes (tubal pathology)
-Endometriosis (endometrial cells from the womb are found in other areas, for example in the abdominal cavity or ovaries and can lead to adhesions to the fallopian tubes or ovaries)

Possible causes in men:
-Poor quality of sperm due to damage to testicles, e.g. surgery, lifestyle (smoking, alcohol)
-Congenital defects
-No sperm cells at all (azoospermia) due to e.g. infection

Unexplained infertility is the term used when all examinations are normal but still no pregnancy has occurred.

What investigations are there?

For women with a regular cycle between 25-35 days, over 90% of cycles will be ovulatory. For that reason it is important to keep careful track of your cycle in the months leading up to your consultation with the gynaecologist.

During the intake consultation
We will ask questions about your medical, gynecological and, if applicable, obstetric history, but also about that of your partner and family. After that a transvaginal ultrasound is performed, possibly a smear test or swab is taken. We may ask you to have a blood test.
We sometimes also perform a foam ultrasound to exclude a tubal pathology (closed fallopian tubes). We commonly ask your partner to request a semen analysis through his general practitioner.
With the data from this history and examinations we will then be able to determine how to help you further.
If there is a cycle disorder or ovulation problem we will treat you at the IHCH (ovarian stimulation with clomiphene citrate or treatment of hyperprolactinaemia). If there is a tubal pathology or a male factor, we will refer you to one of the hospitals with which we work (HMC Bronovo / Westeinde, Reinier de Graaf Hospital Voorburg, LUMC Leiden).

It is important to note that, in the Netherlands, for women over the age of 42 years old, IVF / ICSI treatments are no longer offered. However many women still choose to follow fertility treatments abroad instead.

Appointments – Please call (070) 306 5126 (between 08h00 and16h00)

Email: ihchgyne@ezorg.nl (please state your full name and date of birth when emailing us)

*If you have Dutch health insurance, a referral letter is needed from your GP first.