Frequently asked questions
Find below all your frequently asked questions and our responses to help you.

In vitro fertilization and artificial insemination

What’s the total wait time for IVF, starting from the time we’re put on the waiting list?

The total wait time for IVF varies from case to case and depends on the medical information in each individual file. For these reasons, we’re unable to provide an average wait time.

Who should I contact to ask about the development of my embryos?

You can call our embryologists at 514-798-2000, ext. 152, to schedule a consultation and ask about the development of your embryos.

Can I get the medication from any pharmacy?

Yes, but we recommend you check with the pharmacy beforehand to make sure they have the medication and supplies in stock and that a staff member will be able to explain how to prepare and inject the medication. Some pharmacies don’t carry fertility drugs and will need to order them. To avoid delays, we recommend using a pharmacy specialized in fertility treatments, contact our team for further assistance.

I’m supposed to start a treatment but I still haven’t started my period. What should I do?

If you’re scheduled for a cycle but your period is late, please call the coordination nurses at 514-798-2000, option 2.

I need to sign an agreement form to order a sperm sample. Where can I find it?

Once your file is complete and has been checked by a nurse, you’ll be sent the form by email.

When can I order my donor sperm?

If your donor sperm is covered by the RAMQ, you can place your order once you’ve filled out your agreement form. Call the nurses at 514-798-2000, option 2, to make sure it arrives before Day 1 of your cycle. If your donor sperm is not covered by the RAMQ, you can place your order at any time.

I just went to the pharmacy to buy my medication, but my insurance doesn’t cover it. Is there something I need to do?

Yes, you need to fill out an exception drug form. Write to secretariat@cliniqueovo.com and our medical secretary will send it to you.

How will you let me know when it’s my turn for IVF/FET?

We’ll send you an email asking you to confirm that you still want to go ahead with the procedure. It might go to your junk mail folder, so check it regularly and keep your patient file updated until you hear from us.

I was told the schedule is full for inseminations during this cycle. Can you guarantee it will happen during my next cycle?

Due to high demand and limited space, we can’t guarantee your insemination will take place during your next cycle. But we do our best to keep up with demand and make sure a patient isn’t refused for two consecutive cycles.

Do inseminations take place every month or every second month?

There’s no set rule about having an insemination only every second month. That said, we’re currently experiencing a high demand for insemination. We try to keep up as best we can by giving all our patients the opportunity to have insemination.

I just reported Day 1 of my cycle. Should I wait to start my medication?

Yes, you need to wait for a call from one of our nurses, unless a coordination nurse explicitly told you to start your medication before hearing from her.

What should I do after a failed insemination cycle?

You’ll need to see your doctor again, especially if this is your third failed insemination. Your doctor may also want to see you for other reasons.

My pregnancy test was positive after my insemination. What should I do now?

If your pregnancy test is positive, please inform our team at the following email address: infoassistant@cliniqueovo.com.

 

A viability ultrasound, performed from your 7th week of pregnancy, is recommended to monitor the progress of your pregnancy.

Afterward, it will be up to you to choose the healthcare professional who will oversee the follow-up of your pregnancy.

 

Why is a viability ultrasound important?
This key step allows you to:

  • Confirm that everything is progressing well and rule out an ectopic pregnancy.
  • Determine your baby's gestational age.
  • Find out if you’re expecting one or more babies.
  • And perhaps even hear your baby’s first heartbeat.

Wait time and waiting list

Can I find out where I am on the waiting list for IVF (in vitro fertilization)?

Unfortunately, we can’t tell you where you are on the waiting list for IVF because the list is confidential and changes daily. But rest assured you’ll be contacted as soon as you’re at the top of the list.

Can I find out where I am on the waiting list for a first appointment?

Unfortunately, we can’t tell you where you are on the waiting list for a first appointment. But rest assured you’ll be contacted as soon as you’re at the top of the list and a time slot opens up.

What’s the average wait time for a first appointment?

The wait time for a first appointment depends on availability and time of year. We can’t tell you how long it will take to see one of our professionals.

What’s the total wait time for IVF, starting from the time we’re put on the waiting list?

The total wait time for IVF varies from case to case and depends on the medical information in each individual file. For these reasons, we’re unable to provide an average wait time.

How long after I report Day 1 of my cycle (D1) before you call me back?

If you’ve reported your D1 for artificial insemination or for an IVF treatment already underway, we’ll call you within 48 to 72 business hours. Otherwise, it can take 72 hours or more before we call you. These delays, which are completely normal, are factored into the overall process and the medication schedules.

How will you let me know when it’s my turn for IVF or FET (frozen embryo transfer)?

We’ll send you an email asking you to confirm that you still want to go ahead with the procedure. It might go to your junk mail folder, so check it regularly and keep your patient file updated until you hear from us.

Questions and information about my file

I have test results to send to you. What should I do?

You can send them through your patient portal or to archives@cliniqueovo.com.

How can I get a copy of my file or my test results ?

You can email our medical records department at archives@cliniqueovo.com. They will send you a form to fill out and send back.

I’ve tried contacting you through my patient portal and emailing the nurses, but I still haven’t heard back. Is this normal?

If you wrote to us on the weekend, please allow 24-48 hours for a reply.

If you have questions after your doctor’s appointment, you can email us at suivisinfirmieres@cliniqueovo.com.

For any other question, you can email us at infoinfirmiere@cliniqueovo.com.

How do I know if my file is up to date and you’ve received the documents I sent?

To ask about the status of your file or whether we’ve received your documents, you can call our coordination line at 514-798-2000, option 2.

My patient portal is locked. How can I change my email address?

Send us an email at supportportail@cliniqueovo.com. We’ll walk you through the process of unlocking it and changing your email address.

Who should I contact to ask about the development of my embryos?

You can call our embryologists at 514-798-2000, ext. 152, to schedule a consultation and ask about the development of your embryos.

I can’t log in to the EngagedMD platform. What should I do?

You can email the EngagedMD support team at support@engagedmd.com for help.

General questions and procedures

Are you open on holidays for blood tests?

No. We don’t do blood tests on weekends or holidays, except for blood tests scheduled with a nurse as part of your cycle. If you’d like to make an appointment for a blood test, click on the “Book an appointment” tab.

I live in another country or province. Can I still start my fertility process? If so, how much does it cost?

Yes, you can still book an appointment even if you live in another country or province (other than Québec). For more information about our rates for people not covered by the RAMQ (Québec’s public insurance plan), visit our fertility pricing page: Price list - Clinique ovo

Do you offer tubal ligation reversal surgery?

We do not perform tubal ligation reversals at the clinic; you’ll need to have it done in a hospital. Speak to your family doctor or gynecologist for more information.

Do you offer vasectomy reversal surgery (vasovasostomy)?

Patients who want a vasectomy reversal can speak to a urologist at clinique ovo, but the actual surgery will take place at the hospital where the urologist works.

Can I freeze my eggs after a hysterectomy (surgery to remove the uterus and cervix)?

Yes, it’s possible. To discuss your options, you should speak to the doctor in charge of your file at the clinic.

What’s the procedure for having embryos, eggs and/or sperm samples transferred from another clinic to clinique ovo?

To make the arrangements, email us at transport@cliniqueovo.com or call 514-798-2000, ext. 203.

What’s the procedure for having our medical records transferred from another clinic to clinique ovo?

If you’ve already booked your first appointment, you can upload a copy of your file to your patient portal; otherwise, you can have your current clinic send it by mail or by fax (514-798-2001).

Third-party questions

What is the best egg bank/company to choose?

There is no better option then another. The final choice is yours depending on the pricing, the guarantees, and the client experience.

Is there any financing plan with the chosen egg bank/company?

It is a unique payment of the full amount. If there is a financing plan available, you need to refer to the egg bank/company directly for more information.

 

Can we have the support of an OVO’s employee to select the egg donor?

No, it is an autonomous approach from the patient/couple with the selected egg bank/company. OVO will serve as an intermediary between you and them. But we will be available to answer your question and to guide you step by step in the process.

Do I need to choose a donor of the same blood type then mine?

No, the blood type is not obligated to be the same then the women who will carry the embryo. There is not risk of reject or incompatibility.

If the egg donor is a carrier of one or more genetic particularities, is this make her a bad donor?

No, but when OVO will receive the donor’s profil that you have selected and we note that she is a carrier, different option will be offer to you :

1- Select a non carrier donor

2- Meet the genetic department from OVO or in private sector ($) to test your partner/the sperm to decide if you continue with this donor or not.

Important to remind that the egg lot needs to stay at the bank until the genetic process is completed.

Can I order eggs from any egg bank in the world?

No, you can only choose between our options accepted by OVO. This is to reduce the use of several different protocol in our lab for an egg warming.

How to know if I am authorized to start the process with an egg bank?

You are authorized to select/to order eggs only after you have checked your file by a Third Party nurse.

Is it possible for OVO to find/to provide us a directed egg donor?

No, you must find it by yourself among your immediate family, your contacts or sometimes by social media or discussion forums.

If I am doing an In Vitro treatment with a directed egg donor, can I get a first fresh embryo transfer?

No, because of the Safety of sperm and Ova Regulation (Health Canada) in place from February 2020, we should freeze all the embryo obtained until we will get the control test result that the egg donor did close to the egg retrieval. That can take around 3-4 weeks to get them all. A Third Party nurse will do the follow up of your file during that period and she will indicate when you could do your first frozen embryo transfer attempt.

If I am interested by the Assured Refund guarantee plan with Donro Egg Bank USA (DEB USA), at which moment am I supposed to ask them to send the evaluation form to OVO?

Only after yous have done all the evaluation test required. To make sure all the test that you have done are received or to make sure that some test result are not to old. Please contact the Third Party department to verify your file.

What is the best age for an egg donor?

Between 18-35 years old, prererable under 30 years old, if possible. Possible exception for a family member, but to evaluate with the ovarian reserve result with the doctor.

Can I pay the egg donner to do her donation?

No, the donation is completely altruistic. But the receiving couple can compensate for some fees for the donor (Ex. exam made in a private clinic/lab, medication, psychologist).

How long would it take to get a completed file to start my treatment?

Minimum in 4-6months, depending on if you are a new patient or not. Also depending on the delay to meet a doctor, to complete your test, to meet again the doctor, to meet the psychologist and to receive the egg lor or to let start the directed egg donor.

How long would it take for the eggs/the embryo to arrive at OVO once the order done?

It takes minimum 2-3 weeks to receive it, depending on the chosen company.

Can I declare those medical expenses on my taxes?

The cost of the egg lot or the embryo creation (Ex Simplify) no, for sure. But, a detailed bill can be asked by our bill department and you may refer yourself to an accountant to see on which deduction you mat be eligible.  

What is the % rate of success for that kind of treatment?

50-60% with a fresh or a frozen embryo transfer

How long would it takes to do a frozen embryo tranfer protocol or an egg warming protocol?

There is 3 types of protocol, the natural cycle which is during 1 month/1 cycle or the substituted protocol which is during 2 months/2 cycles or the protocol with no ovarian fonction which is during around 1 month.

How long would it takes to do a standard IVF protocol for a directed egg donor?

The standard protocol is an Antagonist protocol which during 2 months/2 cycles. Some patients can have a birth control pill during the first month to regulate or organise the process better.

May I do all my evaluation testing or my ultrasound during the treatment should be done at OVO Montreal?
  • Certain basing evaluation testing can be done easily at the hospital or at the CLSC everywhere in Quebec. Some other evaluation testing more specialised (ovarian reserve, hysterosonographie, DNA fragmentation or semen analysis) will need to be done in a private clinic or in a fertility clinic, Not necessary at OVO, but it may be recommended.
  • The ultrasound during a treatment for a directed egg donner will be obligatory done at OVO (Montreal or Gatineau) to respect the Health Canada regulation.
  • The ultrasound of a receiver during a treatment could be done in another service place (hospital) according to the facilities available in your region. Exceptionnal cases to be disccuted with the nurse who will start your treatment.
Does the psychologist meeting is obligated?
  • Yes, for any type of treatment including a sperm donor, an egg donor, an embryo donation or a surrogate. Oui
  • Sometimes, an additional half meeting is required if you have met her before but for a different option of treatment.
  • If you have met a psychologist somewhere else because you were followed in another fertility clinic, it can be possible to approve it. Approbation made by one of our psychologist before.  
To request an apointment

You have some question about your fertility or if you need to meet our specialits?