Turkey accepts patients from many countries of the world due to its success in IVF treatment. We asked Katia Okalin, International Patient Coordinator of Istanbul IVF and Women's Health Center, about Turkey's place in health tourism and how the IVF process works.

What is your job description as an international patient coordinator?

"I have been working as an international patient coordinator at the Istanbul IVF and Women's Health Center, to which I am affiliated, for nearly 10 years. If I briefly summarize what we do, getting health services on IVF and women's health from abroad, especially from the Middle East and Europe. To guide our foreign guests who want to come to our center and follow them in every matter they need, until their treatment is over and they return to their countries.

What are you doing in this process?

As you know, it is not an easy decision-making process for people to leave their country and travel to a different country for treatment purposes. The comfort of the clinic to which you will deliver yourself, the professionalism of the team and the success of the treatment you will receive are all a whole. We share all these concerns of our foreign guests and guide them in this process to make sure that they feel comfortable. In particular, I would like to point out that our work does not end after our patients return to their countries, and we never break contact with them. We share and advise how they feel after the treatment and the whole ongoing process for them. They can also call us whenever they want.

What is health tourism?

Health tourism is a type of tourism whose demand is increasing day by day in the world. We can summarize it as a person going to a different country from the country he is in to regain his health.

Where is Turkey in the world in terms of health tourism?

Turkey is the third in the world in health tourism. Of course, there are very valid reasons for this third place. Turkey is a country with many and beautiful tourism areas. Apart from being a rich tourism country, the health sector is very developed compared to other countries. Turkey; It ranks third in the world "in terms of the number of globally accredited health institutions and organizations" by the Joint Commission International (JCI). This is a really proud figure. We can say that it is an indicator of how close we are to world-class service quality.

Why treatment in Turkey?

We can say that this place is a center of attraction for foreign guests who want to be treated in Turkey. Health tourism in our cities has been making steady progress in the last 10 years. There are many reasons for this, but a few of the most important points are: First; world-class health care quality, health care is constantly offered in Turkey with the latest modern medical devices and equipment. Compared to other countries in the same geography, it is very advanced in this regard. Medical competence, our doctors have high medical experience in their areas of expertise, especially in the field of IVF. The fact that not only physicians but also all assistant health personnel (nurse, embryologist, etc.) who touch the patient are highly professional and experienced in their fields makes the patients feel good from the beginning to the end of the treatment.

Where is Turkey in the world in IVF treatment?

We can say without hesitation that IVF treatment is at the forefront of Turkey's achievements in the field of health. Turkey is a country that has proven itself in obtaining successful results in IVF. Our center closely follows the developments around the world in IVF treatment. It is also taking firm steps towards becoming a patient-oriented world brand. Finally, it is a great opportunity to offer all these superior service quality to patients at much more affordable prices compared to Europe.

What is a test tube baby?

IVF is an assisted reproductive technique applied to infertile couples. "In vitro fertilization" is one of the most preferred infertility treatments today. In vitro fertilization treatment includes the treatment process that provides fertilization by collecting eggs, which are female reproductive cells, and sperm, which are male reproductive cells, and bringing them together outside the body in a laboratory environment.

When do couples apply for IVF?

If pregnancy does not occur despite unprotected sexual intercourse for 1 year, couples should definitely consult a specialist. If the woman is older than 35, this period is considered to be 6 months at the most.

How is the IVF process going?

We always recommend our foreign patients residing outside Turkey to come two or three days before their period. Ultrasound evaluations of the couple who come to the first examination are made. Treatment is planned by considering the hormone profile, especially sperm analysis and uterine film. Treatment consists of 3 stages. Stimulating the ovaries, collecting the eggs and combining them with sperm, transferring the formed embryos. This process takes an average of 3 weeks. 12 days after the embryo transfer, the result is obtained with a pregnancy test from the blood.

Is it possible to travel by plane after IVF treatment?

This is one of the most frequently asked questions by our patients. There is no scientific evidence to suggest that travel and air travel have a negative impact on IVF treatment success. Our patients can safely return to their country of residence after their treatment.

What is the success rate in IVF treatment?

The success rate varies depending on the age of the woman. As a woman gets older, her chances of success are lower. We are among the reference centers with the success rates in advanced age and difficult cases we achieved in our center. However, it is very important to start treatment as soon as possible.

What services do you offer your patients?

We can summarize our services as in vitro fertilization, egg/sperm freezing, endoscopic surgeries, gynecology and obstetrics with our expert and experienced staff. We assist patients with hotel and accommodation reservations according to their budget and needs. The interpreting service we provide from the beginning to the end of the patient's treatment is one of our sine qua non. We consider the treatment as a whole. After our couple returns to their country, our support continues until they take their children in their arms.

How can a person living abroad who wants to receive treatment for IVF contact you?

It is very important for us that our patients can reach us easily. For this reason, they can communicate in different ways such as phone, mail, WhatsApp, online appointment, social media channels.