HOW WE TAKE CARE OF YOU

Our Philosophy

Since its early start (1984) the UMR-CHUV has tried to develop a global patient's care package for infertile couples. This type of care means that the medical, biological, technical, psychological and ethical aspects are taken into account for each couple. A counselling concept (information, advise and assistance) has been developed for each step of the infertility treatment.

The information presented on this website is addressed to patients who come the UMR-CHUV for specific medical advise.

Medical care

The patient's care is organized according to and in collaboration with the specialist-doctor whom addressed the patient in the first place; it is focused on the infertility treatment. Once the treatment is finished- mainly when pregnancy is diagnosed - the couple is readdressed to their own doctor.

This doctor is then in charge of the patient's follow-up during the entire course of the treatment, although some of the medical acts might be performed by other doctors from the team. We advise though, whenever possible, that both partners come to consult the doctor, even when the infertility seems to be affecting only one of the partners.

During the initial phase, a complete historical investigation performed.  Often, the quality of the menstrual cycle is analysed.  This initial phase is under the supervision of your doctor, who will steer the necessary complementary investigations needed. The aim of these investigations is to obtain a diagnosis and making you a treatment proposal.  The proposal made to you represents, for us, the best compromise for you.  However, sometimes couples prefer a different approach.  After discussion of the respective pro’s and cons, the final decision remains with the couple.

Biological care

An important part of the medical analysis and investigation is performed in the laboratory. The patients need to make an appointment with the laboratory to deliver a sperm sample sperm or for an embryo transfer.

The laboratory staff is qualified to answer all the practical questions. For more specific enquiries, they will redirect you to the medical doctor or the responsible biologist.

It is also possible to make an appointment with the biologist when, for instance, on the doctor’s advise, some questions related to biology or embryology need to be addressed.

Nursing care

The nurses and the medical assistants are the key players during the investigation and treatment processes. They are in contact with the patients for blood samples, information, results communication (usually by phone) and next steps of the treatment. Therefore, they are the link between the patients and the other members of the team. They can answer the questions concerning the sequences of the treatment and provide the patients with the information and consent forms.

Psychological care

The counsellors meet with the couples (during about an hour) before the beginning of the treatment, in order to become acquainted with the patients and to perceive their personal resources. These resources are important in order to be able to deal with the infertility and the treatment to come.

Consequently to this first meeting, during which privileged dialogue space has been build, two possible options may be envisaged: either the counsellors stay at the patient’s disposal, or, further guidance of the couple is suggested, such as: approach by relaxation or eventually psychotherapy.

Administrative care

The administrative care is a necessity for the smooth documentary handling during the treatment. When a medical dossier is established, both partners are registered in the computer program of the CHUV. In order to ensure that the cost aspect of the IVF treatment is clearly understood by the patients they should contact the person in charge for the financial aspect.