- sexually communicable diseases
- medical records review
- hormone testing and imaging techniques to evaluate the uterus (such as a hysterinsalpingogram or hysteroscopy).
- pap smear
- mammogram and blood chemistry may be required of women over the age of 40
- women over age 45 may also have to undergo additional tests to evaluate them for any special health risks, such as:
- treadmill stress test
- diabetes screening
- blood chemistry workup and platelet count
- thyroid testing
- chest x-rays
The medications used are based on RSC’s protocols and may be adjusted for an individual patient based on her body’s response to certain drugs and the outcome of prior cycles. RSC may recommend a non-medicated cycle for specific patients but medicated cycles are more common.
Many clinics perform medicated cycles to allow for more precise timing and control of the process. Consult with your physician to determine which method they recommend, what drug protocol they use in the case of a medicated cycle, as well as any risks and side effects of medications prescribed. A typical medicated cycle may include the following medications:
- Antibiotics – used to fight off infection, generally taken around the time of transfer.
- Prenatal vitamins & calcium supplement – ensures adequate intake of folic acid and other vitamins.
- Baby aspirin – helps increase blood flow to the endometrial lining.
- Estrogen supplementation – develops the lining of the uterus. Administered via pill, patch, suppository or injection.
- Progesterone – supports the lining of the uterus and prepares it for implantation. Critical to the ongoing viability of a pregnancy conceived via FET. Administered via injection or suppository.
Your RSC team will advise you of the relevant legal issues that must be considered in advance of a donor embryo cycle. Recipients are advised to seek legal guidance from an attorney specializing in third party assisted reproduction regarding the applicable laws in the states where both parties reside. RSC will guide to you to expert legal counsel.
Psychological assessment of recipients
RSC requires that recipients meet with a mental health professional who specializes in infertility and donor issues to ensure that they are fully informed and in agreement. The psychologist’s role is not necessarily to evaluate recipients, per se, but more to help them explore the issues and their thoughts and feelings regarding the donation of embryos or the use of donor embryos. RSC requires that both partners be present for a consultation, such as a signed document of informed consent from the spouse of the recipient female.
Referrals for legal and psychological consultation
RSC encourages you to review our recommended legal and psychological resources that have top expertise in third party parenting issues.
