Where are you located?

Our new clinic is two blocks south of the main hospital at 250 Dundas Street West, 7th Floor. See a neighbourhood map or find directions. 

We can be reached by phone at 416-586-4748 or by fax at 416-586-4686. Find more details in Contact Us.
 

What is IVF?

In-vitro fertilization (IVF) is a procedure where eggs are removed from a woman's ovaries and inseminated outside the body.  Any embryo(s) that result are then placed in the woman's uterus where they may implant and grow. For more information on our IVF Program, please visit our Services section.
 

What is ICSI?

ICSI is an acronym to describe Intracytoplasmic Sperm Injection, the injection of a single sperm directly into the cytoplasm of an oocyte.  For more information, please visit our Services section. 
 

How long should we try to become pregnant naturally, before we start thinking about treatments like in-vitro fertilization?

If you have regular periods and are 35 years of age or less, the general recommendation is to attempt pregnancy naturally for one year before exploring fertility treatment options.

Menstrual irregularity, on the other hand, is a clear sign of irregular ovulation and would be one reason not to wait, as most ovulation problems can be corrected with medication.

For women who are over the age of 35, it would be reasonable to do some preliminary fertility testing right away. This would ensure there are no problems that need to be treated immediately, given the limited number of years left for childbearing.
 

I am over 40 years old. What are my options?

The physician will do a complete assessment including hormonal blood work to determine if your ovaries are still fertile, and whether they would respond to fertility drugs likely leading to pregnancy.

Fertility decreases as you age.  There is also a significantly higher rate of miscarriage and genetic abnormalities (such as Down's syndrome) occurring in pregnancies with advancing maternal age.  Pre-natal testing is available at an early stage of the pregnancy to detect the more common abnormalities.
 

My husband has been told he has low sperm count. Can you still help me?

A careful assessment of your partner will be done including blood work and semen analysis to further evaluate the specific abnormality in the sperm (i.e. low sperm count and/or low motility). 

We also work closely with the urologists at the Murray Koffler Urological Wellness Centre who may perform further specialized testing in order to present you and your partner with the full range of treatment options available.
 

What information do I need prior to setting up an appointment with you?

You will need a referral letter from your physician along with any documents relating to your infertility, i.e. operative reports, semen analysis, blood work, hysterosalpingogram reports, previous IVF cycles.  Please include your address and phone numbers (home and work) so we may contact you for a consultative appointment.
 

Are the procedures for IVF painful? Will I be awake during the procedure?

Our desire is to make your IVF procedure as comfortable as possible. We use adequate pain relief should you require or request it. You will be awake for the procedure but will be in a "twilight sedated state."
 

I am a single woman. Can I access your services?

Yes. We are a full service fertility centre and offer services to all. We have access to sperm banks and will assist you through the process of making your decision.
 

I am involved in a same-sex relationship. Can I access your services?

Yes.  We have full services available and several sperm banks for you to choose a suitable donor.
 

I suffer from bilateral anatomical fallopian tube blockage, and understand this is covered by OHIP.  Can I use your services if I am covered by OHIP?

Yes, we provide fertility care to all patients whether you are covered by OHIP or have an alternative financing option. 
 

What does the Mount Sinai Hospital Fertility Centre do with extra embryos if I develop too many for transfer?

You are the most important member of the Centre for Fertility and Reproductive Health team and your priorities and concerns will always be considered when these decisions are made.

On the day of your embryo transfer, your physician will give you a report on the quality and number of embryos, and will discuss with you a safe number of embryos to transfer. Any extra embryos can be frozen for use at a later time. These frozen embryos can be thawed at a future date either for another child or to try again without the need for doing the entire process of IVF.
 

What are the side effects of medication? What drugs will I be taking?

The physician will decide upon an individualized treatment plan that takes into account your age, results of investigations and your diagnosis.

Generally for IVF, you will be required to take daily injections of medications. We will teach either you or your partner to become comfortable with injecting these medications. The fertility medications will stimulate your ovaries to produce multiple follicles (egg sacs). You may feel bloated or nauseous as these follicles grow, especially towards the end of the cycle. 
 

Will my drug plan pay for the medications?

Each drug plan has its own specific rules so it is wise to check with your drug plan BEFORE starting treatment.  Please visit our Drug Information section for a list of the DIN's (drug identification numbers) to submit to your plan to pre-authorize your medications.
 

Is it safe to take herbal products along with my fertility medications?

Many herbal medications have powerful biological effects and some may actually inhibit fertility. We suggest you refrain from using any herbal medications during your fertility treatments at the unit.
 

Does the Mount Sinai Hospital Fertility Centre provide services for gestational carriers?

Yes, we provide services for patients requiring a gestational carrier for medical or other related reasons. Please call or write to us to obtain further information.
 

How long does an IVF cycle take? How many days of work will I need to take off?

Generally an IVF cycle takes about 2-3 weeks. You are only required to come to the clinic on some of these days and appointments will be provided to minimize the time you will spend for cycle monitoring (blood test and ultrasound). If you live far from the clinic we may be able to arrange for some of the monitoring to be done near where you live.

However, we recommend for you to be assessed at our centre near the end of your cycle.  Please enquire before starting your cycle if you are interested in “satellite monitoring” and we will make every effort to accommodate your needs as much as possible.

It would be necessary to be off from work on the day of the retrieval.  If you are from out of town you can find reasonably priced accommodations close to the clinic at www.toronto.com. 
 

Can I exercise as usual during an IVF cycle?

Your doctor will take into consideration the type of exercise you favour, your current exercise level, your overall health and other factors and advise you accordingly.  While we do encourage exercise and healthy living, the decision to exercise during an IVF cycle has to be individualized. Please speak to your doctor regarding this subject
 

How do I get copies of my medical records?

Patients must complete an Authorization for Release of Information form, and submit to our Centre.  You will need to be specific about the records you wish.  Please note is take 10 business days to complete these requests.