What is In Vitro Fertilisation?

In Vitro Fertilisation (IVF) was developed in the 1970s as a treatment for infertility due to the tubal factor, but it has proven an efficient treatment for patients suffering from endometriosis, ovulatory disfunction, infertility caused by poor sperm quality, genetic conditions and infertility of unknown origin.

In-Vitro Fertilization (IVF) is a technology that introduces the female egg (oocyte) and male sperm together in a specialized culture medium (outside of female body hence the term in vitro) where the chances of successful fertilization are greatly enhanced. The embryos are observed and grown in our IVF laboratory, where they are graded for quality and reintroduced to the recipient’s uterus at a multicell embryo stage or later at the blastocyst embryo stage. All procedures required during an IVF cycle, including ovarian stimulation and monitoring, egg retrieval, and embryo transfer, are performed on-site in our state-of-the-art facilities.

Classical IVF and Intra-Cytoplasmic Sperm Injection …

Fertilisation of the egg by the sperm involves a complex sequence of events, initially controlled by the sperm.

Classical IVF and intra-cytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) are the two most popular assisted reproductive technologies used for successful fertilisation. The only difference between the two is the way the egg is fertilised. IVF allows the sperm to penetrate the egg of its own accord whereas ICSI directly inserts the sperm into the egg

ICSI (Intracytoplasmic Sperm Injection) bypasses the work the sperm otherwise has to do during fertilisation. The eggs are placed in a shallow dish in microdroplets of culture medium under oil, arranged around a central drop containing sperm. The embryologist captures sperm one at a time using fine glass needles attached to manipulators mounted on a microscope. The embryologist then moves to a drop containing an egg, holds the egg with another fine pipette, and injects the sperm deep into the egg.

As part of the ICSI procedure, the embryologist breaks the egg’s membrane to trick the egg into thinking it has been fertilised in the normal way. The embryologist also breaks the sperm’s tail before injection to allow chemicals to escape from the sperm into the egg, and so signal that the sperm is present and ready to be ‘unpackaged’.

ICSI can work because in most men the genetic make-up of sperm is normal even though the sperm might be abnormally shaped, unable to move very well, or unable to undertake the steps of normal fertilisation.

The stages of IVF

Starting IVF can be a very exciting time – it is another step closer to becoming parents. Naturally, you will feel hopeful about a successful outcome but you also need to prepare yourself for around two months of medications, numerous procedures and testing. Please also bear in mind that the success rate of modern fertility treatments is high, but for some of couples, multiple treatment cycles may be necessary. The whole process up to the embryo transfer stage will usually take two to three weeks. IVF & ICSI involve 6 stages:

• Stage 1: Ovarian stimulation and monitoring
• Stage 2: Egg (oocyte) retrieval [Oocyte Pick Up – OPU]
• Stage 3: Fertilisation
• Stage 4: Embryo development
• Stage 5: Embryo transfer
• Stage 6: Luteal phase support

IVF in Albania – is it worth the hassle?

In Vitro Fertilization (IVF) is the most widely used form of treatment for infertility. The number of patient who decide to undergo IVF treatment abroad is increased year by year. Out of numerous clinics in a number of european countries, for example Spain, the Czech Republic, Greece or Turkey, one of the main destinantions for IVF is Albania.

Location of Albania in Europe

Location of Albania in Balkans

But the mediterranean climate and the increasing touristic attractions aren’t the only factors drawing them to Albania – so what does Albania have to offer that the other countries doesn’t?

IVF in Albania – general overview

One of the main factors drawing infertile couples from their countries to Albania is egg donation. Many people are encouraged by the affordable prices and the fact that in Alania there are virtually no waiting lists for this procedure. The reason behind that is a large number of egg donors, who are ensured total anonymity. Of course, all donors are tested for any diseases, both physical and psychological.

In Albania, the leader in IVF services is American Hospital Tirana. Its IVF department offer every medical procedures related with infertility, for instance IVF, IUI, ICSI (Intracytoplasmatic Sperm Injection), AH (assisted hatching), surgical sperm retrieval, blatocyst transfer, time – lapse technique (Embryoscope), frozen embryo transfer, Egg freezing and egg banking, pre-implantation genetic diagnosis (PGD) and others..

Tirana is an easily accessible location, both by plane and by car.

Why American Hospital Tirana?

The IVF department of American Hospital Tirana has been specializing in the diagnosis and infertility treatment for over 10 years and provides access to most up-to-date methods of treatment, all at a very reasonable price.

Apart from being the biggest IVF destination in Albania in matter of treated patients and with the highest success rates, American Hospital Tirana held the Albanian record of IVF: in 2013 N. K a 56 years old lady is the oldest woman in Albania to give birth using IVF with donated eggs. In 2016 we reported the 1st live birth after In Vitro Maturation and in 2017 the 1st live birth after frozen eggs in Albania.

For our patients from abroad, we offer a complete service in different languages (english, italian, french, spanish and german) which promotes clear communication and understanding.

At American Hospital Tirana we are committed to being at the forefront of assisted human reproduction research, constantly assessing and using innovation and technology to ensure our patients receive the best possible treatment. This commitment also allows us to achieve positive outcomes in often complex cases such as:

• Patients with implantation failure.
• Repeated miscarriages.
• Anonymous egg donation,
• Anonymous sperm donation,
• Embryodonation
• Pre-implantation genetic diagnosis (PGD)

Figure 3. List of IVF services offered by American Hospital Tirana

Our aim

We truly believe that transparency and individualisation are key to offer our patients the best options to journey towards their dream of forming a family. That is why we pay special attention to the aspects that exert the greatest influence on the fulfillment of that dream, designing the most specific and personalised strategies in each case; because to us each patient is different and unique.

Our main goal as experts in fertility is for our patients to trust the quality of our treatments and also to make them feel safe during the process and confident about its success.

American Hospital records in In Vitro Fertilisation:

– 2018 – Oldest woman in Albania to be pregnant after a succesfuel IVF ate the age of 62 years. This was made possible by the team of dr. Elton Peci and embryolog Besfort Ferhati. It was a case of an Italian patient who gave birth to a healthy baby girl in December 2018.

– 2018 – 1st succesfuel case in Albania of a live birth after using Time – Lapse embryo imaging of embryos. This case was made possible by Dr. Elton Peci and embryolog Besfort Ferhati.

– 2016 – 1st woman in Albania to gave birth to twins after a succesfuel In Vitro Fertilisation of frozen oocytes. This case was made possible by Dr. Elton Peci and embryolog Besfort Ferhati.

– 2016 – 1st delivery of a healthy baby after In Vitro Maturation in Albania. This case was made possible by the team of Prof. Dr. Hakan Satiroglu and embryolog Besfort Ferhati.

– 2013 – Oldest woman in Albania to gave birth after a succesfuel IVF ate the age of 56 years. This was made possible by the team of dr. Elton Peci and embryolog Tugce Isidan.

– 2013 – Oldest woman in Albania to gave birth to twins after a succesfuel IVF at the age of 52 years. This was made possible by the team of dr. Elton Peci and embryolog Tugce Isidan.