Decoding IVF: Process, Costs, and Insights into Singapore

Urban couples today race ahead in their required yet demanding careers, and the family planning utopia, unfortunately, takes a back seat. However, the biological clock keeps on ticking, and consequently, the age factor, uncalled health complications, and sometimes the weight of responsibilities distract us from the “right conceivable time.”

In cases affected by such situational issues, couples may be advised IVF treatment after struggling for a long to conceive a baby naturally. IVF is an assisted reproductive technique that involves the fertilization of eggs with sperm in a laboratory. The resulting embryos are placed in a woman’s uterus and about two weeks after placing an embryo, a test is conducted to confirm pregnancy.

What is the IVF Process?

The following are the detailed steps related to the IVF procedure.

Test and Monitoring: The IVF process starts with the basic blood workup and medical scans. Women candidates have to undergo a hormone assay, pelvic scan, hysteroscopic examination, and a couple of other tests. Men may have to give a sample for semen analysis and in some cases, may be advised to undergo a testicular biopsy to check the presence of an underlying issue that may indicate a problem with the sperm.

Ovulation Induction: Once healthy sources of eggs and sperm are identified (self or egg/sperm donor), the next step is ovulation induction. The female is given fertility medications to stimulate the production of multiple eggs in the ovary to retrieve them. Ovulation induction involves the use of specific drugs that trigger the growth of more than one mature egg in the ovary. The drugs are injected every day for a period of 6 to 10 days, until the suitable ovum development.

Egg Retrieval: In this procedure, a thin needle is passed through the vaginal wall. The fluid is then removed from the follicles using gentle suction. Eggs are isolated from the follicular fluid and safely placed on a culture dish. In the end, the eggs are now transferred to the incubator.

Fertilization: After securing the sperm sample, gained from the donor or your partner, the most active sperms are isolated and fused with the eggs in a chamber.  To make sure that a healthy embryo is forming, the sperm and egg are monitored in the incubator.

Embryo Transfer and Implantation: The healthiest embryos are examined and the selected one is made ready for the transfer. The embryo is then transferred via a small plastic tube using a speculum, through the cervix, and, then into the uterine cavity. Following the intensity of the procedure, bed rest is advised for at least 24 hours after the completion.

IVF: Candidate Eligibility and Global Comparisons

Infertility is defined as the inability to conceive even after a year of trying normally. So, females who are suffering from infertility or any underlying issue causing infertility such as PCOS or polycystic ovarian syndrome, endometriosis, blocked or missing Fallopian tubes, etc. are eligible for IVF.

Also, women who are suffering from irregular ovulation can benefit from IVF as the treatment will help them produce healthy eggs. In case a female is unable to produce healthy eggs, then she can get in touch with a registered egg donor and then undergo IVF treatment.

IVF in Singapore vs IVF Globally

According to Virtus Fertility Centre in Singapore, statistics show that the overall success rate of IVF in the country is 55 percent. It is much higher as compared to a majority of countries in the world. Singapore has the largest number of fertility clinics in the world and contributes significantly to the success rate, which is established on the cumulative clinical pregnancy rate per treatment cycle.

The success rates in Singapore can be as high as 64 percent for women aged between 30 and 34. For others, it may vary between 53 and 22 percent, decreasing with age and other factors such as how healthy or bad the overall lifestyle is.

Other benefits of IVF in Singapore as compared to other global IVF centers:

• Singapore has one of the most advanced healthcare systems, which is time and again proven by data and surveys.
• There are plenty of IVF fertility centers in Singapore to choose from.
• When it comes to considering medical intervention, it becomes important to know your options. Singapore is a place where there are different fertility privileges, which again would vary from case to case.
• With proven medical results comes a cost, IVF in Singapore costs are higher than IVF costs worldwide.
• IVF treatment success rates worldwide are much lower than in Singapore.

Cost of IVF in Singapore for Foreigners

The cost of IVF treatment in Singapore is 3000 Singapore dollars per current cycle and 600 Singapore dollars per frozen cycle.  The private hospitals charge more as compared to the public ones. As a result of which most people prefer to go to public hospitals. However, due to this, it is tough to get an appointment in general hospitals for IVF treatment.

IVF Singapore Cost Guide

The cost of IVF treatment in Singapore is detailed below.

Basic Fertility Assessment: This will consist of a combined couple assessment by a fertility specialist. Semen analysis and pelvic ultrasound are performed, after which further assessment is done. The average cost may go up to 600 USD.

Oocyte (Egg) Retrieval: The average cost would range from USD 5220 to USD 6710.

Cost Breakage:

• Anesthetist fees
• Operating theatre & Recovery room charges
• Laboratory charges (Blastocyst culture and ICSI/IMSI)
• Freezing & Storage of embryos for 90 days

Embryo Transfer: The average cost of embryo transfer would be approximately 4000 to 5000 USD. The valid cost breakage is the same as mentioned in egg retrieval, only the egg hatching cost is extra.

Intrauterine Insemination (IUI): The Combined cost of doctor’s fees, lab charges, and facility fees is around USD 800 to USD 1000. All in all, IVF in Singapore price is almost close to USD 1200 to USD 22000.

Medical Insurance in Singapore for Residents & Expats

Citizens of Singapore: Up to 75 percent of the cost is covered, which can come to about 6300 SGD.

1 partner with PR and 1 partner with citizenship: Up to 55 percent of the cost is covered, which can come to about 4600 SGD.

1 Expat partner and 1 partner with Singapore citizenship: Up to 35 percent of the cost is covered, which comes to about 3000 SGD.

Top Clinics in Singapore for IVF:

 

Related Reads:

Intrauterine Insemination: Symptoms, Classification, Diagnosis & Recovery

IVF (In Vitro Fertilization): Symptoms, Classification, Diagnosis &

Recovery