Fertility Services for International Patients (English)

FERTILITY SERVICES

www.sabahcarefertility.com 60 187 78 0185 sabahcarefertility@sabahcaregroup.com

Disclaimer: This booklet is designed to provide you with a better understanding of the journey that you will be taking towards parenthood at SabahCare Fertility Centre. It is intended to be a guide only, should you have any other enquiries, our team of Consultants, Embryologists and Nurse Counsellors will be happy to assist you further

MAKING

PREGNANCY

POSSIBLE SabahCare Fertility Centre, the fertility specialist centre devoted exclusively to getting you pregnant. We have been providing fertility expertise and helping couples to have children.

Since our establishment, SabahCare Fertility Centre has strived to continuously improve on the fertility treatments provided, and attend to your needs with the utmost care. At our fertility centre, we also provide support links to help ensure you make positive changes to your diet and lifestyle to achieve better outcomes.

MEET THE TEAM Our dedicated team at SabahCare Fertility Centre is led by Dr Cheong Yee Tsing, our Fertility Specialist, along with our lab embryologists, nurses and supporting staff. Together we form a strong team to be of your assistance

Dr. Cheong Yee Tsing is currently practising as a Consultant Gynaecologist and Fertility Specialist at Sabah Care Specialist Clinic, and she is the clinical director of SabahCare Fertility Centre. In 2009, she was gazetted by the Malaysian Ministry of Health as a Subspecialist in Reproductive Medicine and Infertility.

During her fellowship training in Melbourne, Australia, she worked at one of the busiest IVF centres in Australia at Melbourne IVF/Royal Women’s Hospital.

On her return from Australia, she took on the role of setting up the first public IVF Centre in Sabah and East Malaysia at Sabah Women’s and Children’s Hospital. This is one of the four public IVF centres in Malaysia.

In 2017, she set up the stand-alone private IVF centre in KK, SabahCare Fertility Centre. She has vast experience in providing fertility services for couples with various fertility issues, and has realized many couples’ dreams of having a baby through IUI and IVF treatments.

Datuk Dr. Hj. Mohamed Hatta bin Mohamed Tarmizi is a Resident Consultant at SabahCare Fertility Centre. He was the Senior Consultant Obstetrician & Gynaecologist and Reproductive Medicine & Infertility Specialist at the Sabah Women’s and Children’s Hospital, KK. He graduated in 1995 with MBBCh (with Honours) from Mansoura University, Egypt, and has worked in Kuantan, Pahang; Tapah, Perak; HUSM, Kelantan as well as at the Royal Women’s Hospital, Melbourne, Australia and in 2018, completed clinical attachment at the Hewitt Fertility Centre, Liverpool Women’s Hospital. He worked in Sabah as a Specialist since 2002 and registered NSR as a Reproductive Medicine Specialist in 2010.

He, together with Dr Cheong, set up the first public IVF centre in Sabah in 2010. He currently heads the centre now. He also holds a Postgraduate certificate in Medical Law and Ethics from the University of Edinburgh, Scotland in 2016. He was conferred the Panglima Gemilang Darjah Kinabalu by the TYT Governor of Sabah which caries the title Datuk in 2019.

Dr Loh Yoke Ling is currently practicing as a Consultant Obstetrician and Gynaecologist at SabahCare Specialist Clinic. She was trained and gazetted by the Malaysian Ministry of Health as an Obstetrician and Gynaecologist in 2015. She previously worked at Sabah Women and Children’s Hospital for 7 years before joining her current place of practice. She is a trained minimally invasive surgeon with expertise to manage full scope of gynaecological issues including fibroids, ovarian cysts, endometriosis and fertility.

SERVICES & FACILITIES IVF (In VitroFertilization) ICSI (Intra-Cytoplasmic Sperm Injection) PGT (Pre Implantation Genetic Testing) Fertility Investigations and Counselling Natural Cycle Monitoring Ovulation Ultrasound Monitoring and Induction IUI (Intrauterine Insemination) Embryo Culture and Transfer Cryopreservation of Embryos, Eggs and Sperms Pre-conception Advice Antenatal Care General Gynaecology Fertility-Related Surgery

IVF IVF involves adding prepared sperm to a dish containing eggs or injecting a single sperm inside the egg (ICSI). The sperm swim to the eggs and attempt to fertilise them. Once fertilised, the embryos are monitored and transferred back into the uterus at the correct time. There may also be excess good quality embryos which can be frozen and stored for future use by a procedure called Frozen Embryo Transfer.

ICSI Intracytoplasmic Sperm Injection (ICSI) is performed as an additional part of an IVF treatment cycle where a single sperm is injected into each egg to assist fertilisation using very fine micro-manipulation equipment. In most cases, ICSI can be used to overcome severe male infertility.

PGT Pre-implantation genetic testing (PGT) is a test aiming to screen and detect genetic diseases and chromosomal disorders by screening cells from embryos. This test occurs before embryos implantation to help facilitate the decision of transferring a chromosomally normal embryo which should lead to a higher pregnancy rate and a lower miscarriage risk.

IUI Intrauterine insemination (IUI) is a fertility treatment that involves placing sperm inside a woman’s uterus to facilitate fertilization. The goal of IUI is to increase the number of sperm that reach the fallopian tubes and subsequently increase the chance of fertilization. IUI provides the sperm an advantage by giving it a head start, but still requires a sperm to reach and fertilize the egg on its own.

TRANSFER (FRESH/FROZEN) Frozen embryo transfer (FET) is a type of IVF treatment in which a cryopreserved embryo created in a previous egg retrieval cycle is thawed and transferred back into a woman's uterus.

OVULATION INDUCTION Ovulation induction uses hormonal therapy to stimulate egg development and release, or ovulation. Historically, these drugs were designed to induce ovulation in women who did not ovulate on their own — typically women with irregular menstrual cycles. The goal was to produce a single, healthy egg.

TESTIMONIALS WE DID IT! I was born with a condition called bicornuate uterus and we've always known that conceiving naturally might be a little challenging for us. However, IVF did bring hope to us. SabahCare Fertility Centre has shown not just professionalism but also given us support, care and extra information , helping us to overcome the overwhelming times of treatment. Turning to them for our IVF journey was the best decision we've made in our life so far! Words just can't express enough our gratitude, very well done SabahCare Fertility Centre!

-Michelle and Family

SO BLESSED! I was obese and was suffering from PCOS while my husband was diagnosed with Azoospermia. Just when we thought there's no hope for us, SabahCare Fertility Centre gave us hope and come up with a customized treatment plan just for us.

Today, we are blessed with an active cute little girl. Definitely couldn't have done it without SabahCare Fertility Centre. Thank you so much for not giving up on us and walk with us along this fertility journey!

-Wong and family

DREAMS DO COME TRUE! We have been actively trying to conceive for almost 8 years but always tested negative. We did all fertility tests and assessments available only to find out we both are completely normal, to a point where we have given up on having a child of our own. Thankfully, we heard about Sabahcare Fertility Centre from a friend and we gave it a final shot. Thanks to our Gracious God, we have a healthy boy now. SabahCare Fertility Centre made our dreams come true! Sometimes, a leap of faith and a dust of science is all we need.

-Chua and family

GRAND OPENING CEREMONY 24th November 2018 SabahCare Fertility Centre started its IVF services in August 2017 with a soft opening and subsequently had their official launch on 24th November 2018.

The addition of the 1st Private fertility centre with advanced lab in Sabah was a culmination of the perseverance and determination of the SabahCare Group in expanding the much needed access to IVF services for Sabahan couples and beyond seeking to be parents. The launching was officiated by the Late YB Datuk Stephen Wong Tien Fatt, Sabah Minister of Health and People’s Wellbeing, our much beloved minister, who had always placed the Sabahan welfare as his top priority. Since its establishment, SabahCare Fertility Centre has strived to continuously improve on the fertility treatments provided, and attend the needs of our patients with the utmost care.

We have managed to achieve high clinical pregnancy rates and constantly adding to the repertoire of services available, the latest being the Pre-implantation genetic testing, an advanced technique that can identify inherited genetic defects in the embryos prior to implantation.

Opening Ceremony held at Kota Kinabalu Marriott hotel, officiated by the Late YB Datuk Stephen Wong Tien Fatt

Featured in Sin Chew Daily Newspaper

GUIDE FOR INTERNATIONAL PATIENTS

1

Is there any preparation before I start IVF treatment at your centre?

Yes. We need you to have a medical assessment, either with your local doctor, or have an initial visit at our centre. Both husband and wife also need to have the following tests done before starting IVF. These are: Wife - Transvaginal pelvic ultrasound, Pap smear, Blood tests – Anti Mullerian Hormone, Rubella antibody, Infective screen (Hepatitis B, Hepatitis C, HIV and syphilis screening) Husband - Semen analysis, Infective screen blood tests (Hepatitis B, Hepatitis C, HIV and syphilis screening).

2

How long is the whole IVF treatment?

We have tailored two options for our international patients convenience: A. Fresh Embryo Transfer: Single Visit (21 days*) This option is for patients who want to stay on for the entire treatment option in a single visit from the start to the completion of the programme. *Duration is subject to change based on patient’s responsiveness to the treatment. We recommend that you take a flight which allows flexibility to change your date of departure where necessary.

In your home country

Day 1

Day 2 -14

Day 15

Video or phone consultation for your initial assessment and to plan your visit

Arrive at SabahCare Fertility on the first day of your menstrual cycle to prepare for treatment on the 2nd or 3rd day.

Upon arrival, our fertility specialist will have a consultation with you to prepare you for the stimulation phase of your treatment.

•IVF treatment starts on day 2 or 3 of your period when you will be receiving hormone injections for 10 to 12 days.

•During this time, you will come in to see the fertility specialist for scans to ensure the eggs are growing well.

When the ovary is ready for egg collection, the procedure of Ovum Pick Up is performed 2 days after your last injection.

2 weeks

Day 21

Day 20

Day 16-19

Embryo transfer is performed between 2-5 days after Ovum Pick Up.

You can take a relaxing break during this time to enjoy a holiday in Kota Kinabalu as the embryo develops in the lab

Optional: some couples may choose to stay to do the pregnancy test 2 weeks after the embryo transfer

You can rest for 1 day before taking your flight back to your home country.

B. Frozen Embryo Transfer + PGT : Two Visits IVF Treatment Programme (16+9 days)* If you choose to have PGT done to increase the changes of successful pregnancy and freeze your embryos for future use, this programme is best for you. *Duration is subject to change based on patient’s responsiveness to the treatment. We recommend that you take a flight which allows flexibility to change your date of departure where necessary.

In your home country

Day 1

Day 2 -14

Day 15

Video or phone consultation for your initial assessment and to plan your visit

Arrive at SabahCare Fertility on the first day of your menstrual cycle to prepare for treatment on the 2nd or 3rd day.

Upon arrival, our fertility specialist will have a consultation with you to prepare you for the stimulation phase of your treatment.

•IVF treatment starts on day 2 or 3 of your period when you will be receiving hormone injections for 10 to 12 days.

•During this time, you will come in to see the fertility specialist for scans to ensure the eggs are growing well.

When the ovary is ready for egg collection, the procedure of Ovum Pick Up is performed 2 days after your last injection

Day 2-6

2nd visit: Day 1

In your home country

Day 16

You can go for a holiday around Sabah during this time when your uterus is being prepared for Frozen Embryo Transfer

Upon arrival of your 2nd trip to SabahCare Fertility, you will have a consultation with our fertility specialist to discuss about your Frozen Embryo Transfer

•Your embryo will be analysed in the lab with PGT testing.

•Our Fertility Specialist will contact you with the embryo results & discuss with you for the Frozen Embryo Transfer process •You will be instructed to start medication in your home country.

You can take a relaxing break during this time to enjoy a holiday in Kota Kinabalu or return back to your home country

Day 7

Day 8-9

The embryo is transferred into your womb

You can rest for 2 days before taking your flight back to your home country

3

2 weeks Optional: some couples may choose to stay to do the pregnancy test 2 weeks after the embryo transfer

Who may have a different programme from the one mentioned above?

The standard duration of 3 weeks is for someone who completes the whole treatment up to the stage of fresh embryo transfer and pregnancy test. IVF treatment will be divided into two visits for the following conditions.

A. For someone who has many eggs during Ovum Pick Up, the embryos obtained will be frozen. Frozen embryo transfer will be performed 2 months later. This means the first visit will be around 3 weeks (until stage of Ovum Pick Up). The second visit is also around 3 weeks (scanning by doctor to prepare for frozen embryo transfer and followed by pregnancy test 12-14 days after embryo transfer).

Continued...

B. For someone who opts to do Preimplantation Genetic Testing, it is similar to A. The embryos obtained will undergo biopsy for genetic testing. These embryos will be frozen while waiting for the genetic testing results. Frozen embryo transfer will be performed 2 months later. This means the first visit will be around 3 weeks (until stage of Ovum Pick Up). The second visit is also around 3 weeks (scanning by doctor to prepare for frozen embryo transfer and followed by pregnancy test 12-14 days after embryo transfer).

4

5

Do I need to stay there together with my husband?

We need your husband to be present during the first visit before we start treatment. This is for treatment counselling and consent. He then needs to be present on the day of Ovum Pick Up to produce his sperms. There is also an option of freezing his sperms prior to Ovum Pick Up if he is not available during the day of Ovum Pick Up

Is there any medication we need to take after completing the treatment?

Will we be able to bring it out of Malaysia?

If the pregnancy test is positive, you need to continue medication to support your pregnancy.

With doctor’s prescription letter, you are allowed to bring it out of Malaysia.

6

What is the follow up process we need to do in our home country after we complete treatment at your centre?

If you are successfully pregnant, you need to continue your antenatal care at your home country. If you have a failed cycle, our doctor will provide a plan for your subsequent treatment.

IN THE PRESS

Clinic Consultation SabahCare Specialist Clinic, Block C, Unit 9, Lintas Jaya Uptownship, 88300 Kota Kinabalu, Sabah IVF Procedure SabahCare Fertility Centre, Lot 17, Block C, Kepayan Point, Jalan Pintas, 88200 Kota Kinabalu, Sabah

www.sabahcarefertility.com SabahCare Specialist Clinic sabahcarefertility SabahcareFert 6018-778 0185