Infertility & IVF

With today’s busy lifestyles, many couples plan carefully to ensure the time is just right to achieve pregnancy and start a family.  For the vast majority of couples, pregnancy occurs naturally within 12 months of trying to conceive.

Infertility by contrast is defined as the inability to conceive after 12 months or more of unprotected sex. Current data suggests that one in six Australian couples will experience fertility difficulties.

Whilst there are many reasons for a diagnosis of infertility, they generally fall into four groups; issues relating to the male partner, issues relating to the female partner, presenting issues in both partners, and unexplained infertility – a term used when there is no medical explanation as to why the couple can’t conceive.

So if you have been unsuccessful in conceiving for 12 months or more, make an appointment to discuss this with your GP. For those of you where the female partner is over 35, make an appointment with your GP if you’ve been unsuccessful for six months or more.

Your first point of contact should be your GP. They will be able to commence your fertility investigation by collating a detailed medical history and physical examination of both partners, conduct some basic tests to make sure that the woman is ovulating and that the man produces sperm. Pending the outcomes of these tests your GP may advise you to keep trying for a little longer or you may be referred to a fertility specialist who will conduct specialised tests to try and establish the cause of infertility and determine the best type of fertility treatment required.

What are the common causes of fertility issues?

Regardless of the circumstances, a diagnosis of infertility is an emotionally challenging life event that will come as a shock. Unlike many of life’s other challenges however, infertility may not be easily resolved, it may last a number of years and the chances of a successful outcome will be uncertain.

Fertility Specialist Geelong - Dr Sam Sabary

According to the Victorian Assisted Reproduction Treatment Authority (VARTA), male infertility accounts for approximately 20 percent of infertility issues, female infertility accounts for 30 percent, presenting issues for both partners accounts for 30 percent and in about 20 percent of cases, there is no apparent cause of infertility (idiopathic or unexplained infertility).

Causes of male infertility may include:

  • Poor quality semen and sperm
  • Damaged testicles
  • Ejaculation disorders
  • Sterilisation
  • Hormonal issues
  • Medicines and drugs
  • Lifestyle factors (smoking, drinking, stress, obesity etc)

Causes of female infertility may include:

  • Ovulatory disorders (like Premature ovarian insufficiency (POI) or Polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS)
  • Ageing
  • Endometriosis
  • Fallopian tube damage
  • Uterine fibroids
  • Autoimmune disorders
  • Lifestyle & Environmental factors (smoking, drinking, stress, obesity etc)

The Fertility Society of Australia and New Zealand (FSANZ) is the peak body representing scientists, doctors, researchers, nurses, consumers and counsellors in reproductive medicine in Australia & New Zealand. Information on Male Infertility and Female Infertility can be found by clicking on the links provided.

How do we engage Dr. Sabary to help us fall pregnant?

Once you have spoken to your GP and determined that a referral to a fertility specialist is the best course of action, your GP will need to complete a referral to Dr. Sabary who is a IVF and infertility specialist with Monash IVF Geelong. Your referral will be processed at which time one of his Administrative team will be in contact to arrange an initial consultation time.

Obstetrician Geelong - Dr Sam Sabary

At the time of your initial consultation, Dr Sabary will review your medical history and any previous investigation results. Where no tests have been performed, infertility testing will likely include sending:

  • the female partner for an ultrasound and/or hysterosalpingogram to check the tubes.
  • the male partner for a semen analysis to check the quality, count and health of sperm
  • both partners for blood tests to check for hormone levels and other potential issues

Once test results have been received, Dr. Sabary will take the time to discuss with you potential treatment options. These will generally fall into one of three categories: Ovulation Induction, Intra-Uterine Insemination (IUI) and In-Vitro Fertilisation (IVF).

It can take between 6 to 8 weeks from the point of initial consultation with your fertility specialist to commencement IVF treatment. In addition, because the IVF process involves several steps and is primarily scheduled around the female’s ovulation cycle, each IVF cycle can take between 28-40 days (or even longer).

Fertility Treatments & IVF

Following referral to Dr. Sabary and completion of the requisite testing and information gathering, you may be prescribed one of the following courses of fertility treatment:

Fertility Specialist - Dr Sam Sabary

Ovulation induction (OI)

Ovulation induction (OI) is often prescribed if the woman is either not ovulating or not ovulating regularly.

The process involves taking hormone medication, response monitoring via ultrasound and a final injection to trigger ovulation.

Timing intercourse to coincide with ovulation offers the chance of pregnancy.

Fertility Specialist - Dr Sam Sabary

Artificial insemination or IUI

Artificial insemination, or Intra-Uterine Insemination (IUI), involves insertion of sperm into the uterus at or just before the time of ovulation. IUI can be performed during a natural menstrual cycle, or in combination with ovulation induction (OI)

If a pregnancy is not achieved after a few IUI attempts, IVF or intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) may be needed.

Artificial insemination or IUI

Artificial insemination, or Intra-Uterine Insemination (IUI), involves insertion of sperm into the uterus at or just before the time of ovulation. IUI can be performed during a natural menstrual cycle, or in combination with ovulation induction (OI)

If a pregnancy is not achieved after a few IUI attempts, IVF or intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) may be needed.

IVF - Dr Sam Sabary
IVF Geelong - Dr Sam Sabary

In-vitro fertilisation (IVF)

IVF treatment is a more complicated procedure requiring the woman to have several hormone injections to stimulate her ovaries and produce eggs. Mature eggs are retrieved in an ultrasound-guided procedure under light anaesthetic. The eggs and sperm are combined in a laboratory to allow for fertilisation and embryo development. Three to five days later, an embryo is placed into the uterus in a procedure called embryo transfer.

Which treatment option will be right for me?

The answer to this question can only be established once your medical history and preliminary testing has been completed. Only then will your fertility specialist be able to suggest why this is occurring and what treatment option will provide you with the greatest chance of success.

What do we need to consider as we start our fertility treatment journey?

On a number of levels, fertility treatment is a complex and challenging experience, regardless of the circumstances which cause it, which treatment process you will commence or whether you are doing it alone or with the support of a partner.

Infertility Testing - Dr Sam Sabary

Before you begin, it’s recommended that you consider the following points, how they might relate to you and what assistance you may need to ensure you are properly supported throughout.

  • Emotional impacts – every stage of fertility treatment will bring with it its own emotional stressors including: lifestyle changes; the stress of waiting on embryo confirmation and transfer results; relationship pressures associated with deciding whether to continue or stop treatment; what to do with unused embryos and the financial pressures associated with the costs of treatment.
  • Physical impacts – whilst the most common complication is ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome (OHSS), physical complications requiring hospital admission occur in about one per cent of all stimulated treatment cycles. All IVF programs monitor patients carefully to minimise the risk of OHSS. Should this occur, Dr. Sabary will consult with you immediately to review your options so that any potential risk is minimised or eliminated.
  • Repeated treatments – It is not uncommon for repeated cycles to be required in order to achieve pregnancy with the exact number differing from person to person. In 2017, the number of Assisted Reproductive Technology (ART) cycles reported in Australia and New Zealand was 82,215. That resulted in 15,405 babies who were born using ART treatment.
  • Time impacts – Fertility treatment will likely impact your work schedule as you will need time off for appointments and medical procedures. Whilst you are not obliged to tell your employer about your treatment, it is a good idea to inform them of any time off you will need. The IVF clinic support team can assist with the provision of medical certificates upon request and will do their best to schedule appointments that minimise their impact on your work or travel schedule.

Here are some frequently asked questions Dr Sam and the team encounter

Exercise and diet play very important roles in improving fertility. Research tells us that being underweight or overweight can negatively impact fertility so doing your best to live a healthy lifestyle is definitely something you can do to give yourselves the best chance of falling pregnant.

  • Exercise – an exercise routine of one hour or more a day of moderate to vigorous exercise
  • Diet-Do’s – Oily fish (like salmon or sardines for saturated fats), Essential proteins (avocado, chicken, fish, low-fat yogurt and milk, cottage cheese, tofu, eggs, beans) and Low GI foods (most fruits, pulses and root vegetables, leafy green vegetables, whole grains and nuts)
  • Diet Dont’s – Caffeinated or carbonated drinks, All alcohol or other drugs, Simple carbohydrates and artificial sugars, High GI foods (fast food, chocolate, sugary cereals, white bread and other processed foods).

Outside of diet and exercise, the three suggestions we can offer that help improve fertility are:

  • No Booze – Alcohol negatively impacts sperm and egg production by limiting the way we absorb essential vitamins and minerals. Minimal intake can occur whilst trying to fall pregnant but should absolutely stop once pregnant to avoid fetal damage.
  • No Smoking – Smoking negatively impacts sperm and egg production, can limit the efficacy of fertility treatment and can damage your growing baby. In short, do whatever you can to stop smoking. Doing so will increase your fertility and in turn your chances of falling pregnant.
  • Less (or No) Stress – Stress is known to have hormonal impacts which in turn can affect conception and (in females) embryo implantation. Simply put the less stress the better. If elements of your life are stressful, try making changes in those areas or (if you have time) take on healthy activities that you help you wind down and relax.
  • Women with PCOS often take longer to fall pregnant and are more likely to need treatment than women without PCOS. Despite this, studies show little difference between the number of children born to women with PCOS than to those without.
  • Women with endometriosis will experience difficulties getting pregnant 30 percent of the time. However, most women with endometriosis become pregnant without the need for treatment.

Working Hours

 Day  Time
 Monday  8:30 AM - 5:00 PM
Tuesday  8:30 AM - 5:00 PM
 Wednesday  8:30 AM - 5:00 PM
 Thursday  8:30 AM - 5:00 PM
Friday  8:30 AM - 5:00 PM
 Weekend & Public Holidays  Closed

Phone: 03 5223 1849
Fax: 03 5223 1273
Contact Dr Sabary Room by Email