Ep 300: An International View of IVF: How It Is Done in Other Countries

 Fertility Docs Uncensored is hosted by Dr. Carrie Bedient from the Fertility Center of Las Vegas, Dr. Susan Hudson from Texas Fertility Center, and Dr. Abby Eblen from Nashville Fertility Center. This week, the docs welcome Dr. Nadine Al Kaisi, MD, a reproductive endocrinologist at Eggcellent Fertility, who brings an international perspective to the fertility field. Dr. Al Kaisi has practiced reproductive medicine across Germany, Spain, Belgium, and London, giving her a unique understanding of how fertility care differs around the world. In Germany, for example, preimplantation genetic testing for aneuploidy (PGT-A) is not routinely performed and is used only in specific cases, such as when both partners carry a genetic condition or when sperm morphology is abnormal. Unlike in the US, much of fertility treatment in Germany is covered by insurance, creating a hybrid system that includes both public and private options. German laws impose strict limitations on fertility options outside of IVF. Egg freezing is restricted to married individuals, and same-sex couples are not eligible for treatment. Sperm donation is permitted but tightly regulated, with minimal information about the donor. At age 16, the donor-conceived child is able to contact the donor. Dr. Al Kaisi also explains how clinics in Germany perform natural cycle IVF, freeze embryos at the pronuclear stage, and transfer only one embryo per cycle. Other European countries, such as Spain and the Czech Republic, have more liberal practices—similar to the United States—though surrogacy remains prohibited. This is an interesting perspective on the different ways IVF is done in other countries. This podcast was sponsored by RMA New York.