Before starting any form of infertility treatment, medical examination of both the partners is essential. During the initial consultation we may recommend:

Blood Tests
These will aim at checking basic reproductive hormones like TSH, Prolactin, FSH and LH, serum Insulin. In special circumstances we may ask for more sophisticated hormonal testing.

Internal Examination and Vaginal Sonography
An ultrasound scan would help us establish the normalcy of the pelvic organs. A gynecological checkup would give us additional information regarding the readiness of the uterus for pregnancy and would also help to diagnose pathological conditions.

HSG
HSG stands for hysterosalpingogram and is an X-ray, which outlines the uterus and fallopian tubes. It shows if the tubes are open and also indicates the shape of the uterus after injecting a dye through the cervix (mouth of the uterus).

Sperm Test
Analysis of the semen is important to rule out male factor as a cause of infertility. A detailed analysis of the count and motility and morphology of the sperm is carried out.

Follicular Fluid FISH

This test was started in April 2002 for the first time in the world by our Department. At the time of egg retrieval during IVF, the cells which surround the egg within the follicular fluid are subjected to genetic test using fluorescence in situ hybridization. No extra injections are required to be taken by the women in order to perform this test. We have performed this test on more than 1000 follicular fluid samples in women undergoing IVF/ ICSI. We find this a very useful test to predict the possibility of miscarriage in women who have more than 5% mosaicism in the follicular fluid cells. This test is useful for women with repeated failed IVF, repeated miscarriages, those with chromosomal problems and advanced maternal age.