Frequently Asked Questions
Will I get pregnant on my first IVF cycle?
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Once again, the answer to this question varies from patient to patient, and depends on numerous factors, such as your age and your particular diagnosis. It's best to discuss this question with your physician at LifeQuest. |
If I don't get pregnant the first time with IVF, how many cycles does it take?
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There really is no average. Each patient is an individual. However, at LifeQuest, after a failed IVF cycle, the head of our IVF lab and your physician at LifeQuest will review your chart to assess the cycle and develop a plan that includes next steps for you and your partner. |
What are the fees for treatment?
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Since medical requirements differ for each individual or couple, your physician at LifeQuest will make a point of clarifying applicable fees when you visit the clinic. LifeQuest fees are in Canadian funds. Some services are covered by provincial medical or private insurance plans. Link here to view Fees & Financial Options. |
Can I still come to LifeQuest even if I live outside Toronto?
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Yes, if you live in Ontario, but outside the Greater Toronto Area (GTA), LifeQuest has affiliations with a number of excellent infertility clinics located in other Ontario cities. Please click here for more information. |
Why should statistics matter to me as a patient?
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Statistics (counts and averages) are collected and published so that our patients, LifeQuest physicians and our embryology lab can assess the quality and consistency of our services. This rigorous analysis is in place to ensure the safety of our patients, their samples and the staff. Useful statistics enable us to give you the best possible care and increase your chances of success. Please keep in mind that statistics are only guidelines. Every patient has a unique situation and therefore different chances of getting pregnant. At LifeQuest, an IVF (Invitro Fertilization) physician will go over your diagnosis with you and give you a tailored view of your probability of success. We have taken care to break down our statistics into age groups; diagnosis; IVF with ICSI or without; day 5 and day 3 transfers etc. These breakdowns are given so that patients may view relevant statistics that are comparable to their own age, diagnosis or treatment path. We want to help you make informed decisions throughout your treatment. |
How does LifeQuest define commonly used terms?
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Throughout this site we use a number of terms that are commonly used when discussing IVF. They are Pregnancy Rates, Fertilization Rates, Rates of Embryo Development and Blastocyst Rates, just to name a few. When you want to know what these terms mean or be reminded, link to our extensive glossary of commonly used terms.Occasionally we refer to the Canadian Assisted Reproductive Technologies Registry (CARTR). This is a registry where IVF clinics in Canada send their yearly results for compilation into a national average. |
How does LifeQuest define pregnancy?
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We only report clinical pregnancies. These are the pregnancies in which a fetal heartbeat is visualized using ultrasound imaging at 7 weeks of pregnancy. We do not report chemical pregnancies or spontaneous abortions before 7 weeks, as pregnancies. |
How do we know that LifeQuest’s lab is operating optimally?
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We measure a number of different parameters to ensure we are giving you the best service possible. Below we have listed and explained the significance of some of the indicators we follow when we are monitoring the IVF process with ICSI (Intracytoplasmic Sperm Injection). Maturation Rate: Maturation rate is the number of mature eggs divided by the number of total eggs retrieved. We follow maturation rate because this is an indication of our quality of stimulation. We expect* a maturation rate of at least 75%. Since we can only fertilize mature eggs, this is an important number to you. Fertilization Rate: The number of eggs that fertilize using ICSI is an indication of both the quality of the retrieved eggs and the skill and experience of the embryologists. At LifeQuest we expect* a fertilization rate of at least 65-70%. Blastocyst Rate: A blastocyst is a day 5 embryo that has activated its own genome. A blastocyst has anywhere between 80 and 100 cells. Blastocyst Rates and Embryo Development Rates (embryo division or cleavage on day 3 of culture), are numbers that tell us that our culture system is working optimally. The Blastocyst Rate tells us how many fertilized eggs develop to blastocyst by day 5. We expect* a blastocyst rate of between 35 – 55% depending on the cause of infertility, and sperm and egg quality. |
How quickly can I get into the program after my initial visit with the doctor?
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This depends on your specific situation, and the number of tests you and your doctor decide are required to make an accurate diagnosis. Generally speaking, though, patients are admitted into LifeQuest programs one or two months after their initial visit with a doctor. This time can be shorter, however, if you have already had infertility treatment at another clinic, and your file is up-to-date. |
What programs does LifeQuest offer?
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Click here to see the full range of services LifeQuest provides to patients. |
We're from out of town. Can you recommend a reasonably priced place...
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...for my partner and I to stay while we're receiving treatment at LifeQuest?
Toronto.com is an excellent resource for finding the right accommodation for your needs. |
How do you know if you need treatment at an infertility clinic?
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For women under the age of 40, our physicians recommend discussing treatment options after a couple has not achieved a full-term pregnancy after one year of unprotected intercourse. For women over the age of 40, the physicians recommend seeking help after six months of unprotected intercourse. |
Is there a program for women who have had frequent miscarriages?
Does LifeQuest treat both men and women for infertility?
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Yes. Our treatments encompass both male and female factor infertility. Even if only one partner is actively undergoing treatment, we have found it beneficial to both partners to be present whenever possible during discussions and procedures. |
Do you treat single females?
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Yes. LifeQuest has an excellent sperm donor program. |
Do you treat lesbian couples?
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Yes. Once again, LifeQuest has access to excellent sperm banks for couples who require sperm donors. |
Does LifeQuest have counselling services?
Yes. We have an excellent counselor who specializes in infertility issues on site at the centre. She is Sherry Dale, M.S.W. Click here to read more about counselling and support at LifeQuest.
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Once I'm in a program at LifeQuest, how many tries will it take for me to get pregnant?
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The answer to this question varies from patient to patient and depends on many factors specific to that individual, including diagnosis and age. Because everyone is different, it's best to discuss this directly with your physician at LifeQuest. |
How long is the waiting list to see a physician at LifeQuest?
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It takes approximately four to six weeks for new patients to have their first appointment with a physician at LifeQuest. |
