In vitro fertilization (IVF) means fertilizing eggs with sperm in a laboratory, then placing an embryo in the uterus. Dr. Mehmet Koç has performed IVF since 2010. More than 10,000 couples have had IVF treatment with him, and our office carries out about 700 to 800 IVF treatments each year. You are not passed from one doctor to another: Dr. Koç plans and follows your treatment himself, from the first consultation to the embryo transfer.
A Plan Made for You
There is no standard protocol at our office. When choosing your protocol and medication, Dr. Koç looks at the woman's age, weight and ovarian reserve, any previous IVF treatments and their results, and the male partner's test results. We avoid unnecessarily high hormone doses, because our aim is good-quality eggs, not simply a large number of eggs. Couples whose earlier attempts elsewhere did not work also benefit from this careful, individual planning.
High Success Rates
Dr. Koç's results are among the reasons couples travel to him from over 70 countries. More than 10,000 couples have had IVF with him, many after unsuccessful attempts elsewhere, and patients rate our office 4.9 out of 5 on Google, in more than 200 reviews.
Ask us for your personal chance. Dr. Koç tracks the results of every treatment. At your consultation, he shares honest figures for your age and diagnosis.
How IVF Works at Our Office
- Consultation: Dr. Koç reviews your history and test results and plans your treatment with you. If you live abroad, you can have this consultation online, by video call, phone or WhatsApp.
- Ovarian stimulation: Treatment usually starts on the 2nd day of your period. You take medication for about 12 to 13 days so that several eggs develop, and you come to our office for 4 or 5 check-ups, every 2 to 3 days, until the eggs are ready.
- Egg collection: This takes place at our partner hospital, Kolan Hospital in Istanbul, and every step is carried out under Dr. Koç's supervision. It is done under light sedation and takes about 15 minutes. You wake up shortly afterwards and can go home after about 2 hours; no hospital stay is needed.
- Fertilization: The eggs are fertilized with your husband's sperm in the laboratory, usually by ICSI. To support fertilization we use advanced sperm techniques such as Piezo-ICSI and PICSI.
- Embryo development: In most of our treatments, embryos are grown in the laboratory to day 5 or 6, the blastocyst stage. We believe a blastocyst gives a better chance of pregnancy. Embryos that reach this stage are frozen.
- Embryo transfer: In most cases, an embryo is thawed and transferred in a later cycle, once your womb has been prepared. At transfer we use methods such as EmbryoGlue to support implantation.
- Pregnancy test: A blood test about two weeks after the transfer shows whether you are pregnant. Our team stays in touch with you for your test and any questions, even after you return home. Read what to expect in the two-week wait.
Why We Usually Transfer a Frozen Embryo
We prefer a frozen embryo transfer in about 95% of our treatments. For an embryo to implant, the embryo and the lining of the womb need to be at the same stage of development, in step with each other. With a frozen transfer, we can prepare the womb and time the transfer precisely. In a fresh transfer, especially when many eggs develop, the high hormone levels can disturb this balance. In our experience, with embryos of the same quality, a frozen transfer gives a higher chance of pregnancy.
A frozen transfer is also safer for some women. Young women and women with many eggs are at risk of a complication called ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome (OHSS) after a fresh transfer. Freezing all embryos and transferring one in a later cycle greatly reduces this risk.
If you prefer a fresh transfer, it is also possible, and Dr. Koç discusses this option with each couple.
How Many Embryos Are Transferred
Our goal is not a multiple pregnancy, but a healthy mother and a healthy baby going home. So when we have a good-quality embryo, we prefer to transfer a single embryo whenever possible.
The number of embryos that may be transferred is set by Turkish regulations and depends on the woman's age and previous IVF attempts:
- Under 35: one embryo in the first and second IVF attempts.
- From the third attempt, or from age 35: up to two embryos.
Even when the rules allow two embryos, the safety of mother and baby comes first, and Dr. Koç decides together with you whether one or two are right for you.
IVF for Patients from Abroad
Because we mostly use frozen embryo transfer, treatment usually takes two trips to Istanbul.
- Before you travel: If you have had fertility tests before, send them to Dr. Koç or his assistants on WhatsApp, and have an online consultation with him by video call, phone or WhatsApp. If needed, Dr. Koç can use a birth control pill to time your period, so you can plan your flights easily.
- First trip, egg collection: The woman stays in Turkey for about 18 days: about 12 to 13 days of stimulation, the egg collection, and then at least 3 more days for her safety. The husband only needs to be here for 1 day. He gives a sperm sample, which can be frozen if needed and used on the day of egg collection, and can then return home.
- Second trip, embryo transfer: Preparation for the transfer can begin in your home country. For the transfer itself, a stay of about 10 days in Turkey is usually enough, and you can fly home 2 days after the transfer.
These timelines differ from patient to patient. Some couples need genetic testing or other procedures, some have fewer eggs, and some need more than one egg collection. Once you contact us, your whole treatment is planned with you before you travel. If your husband needs sperm retrieval, see our micro-TESE page, where the plan is different.
A personal coordinator answers your questions on WhatsApp before, during and after treatment, and we arrange your airport transfer and suggest hotels near our office and Kolan Hospital. Read more about our support for international patients and the rules for IVF in Turkey.
Questions Patients Ask Us
Why should we choose Dr. Koç?
Dr. Koç has performed IVF since 2010. Over these 16 years, more than 10,000 couples have had IVF treatment with him. He is a member of the Turkish Society of Obstetrics and Gynecology and the Turkish Society of Reproductive Medicine, and he plans and follows each treatment personally. Many of our patients share their experiences in their Google reviews.
What matters most to you in IVF?
For us, success means one thing: taking your baby home. Every decision we make aims at a healthy pregnancy and a healthy baby. That is why we grow embryos to the blastocyst stage, prefer frozen embryo transfer in most cases, and transfer a single good-quality embryo whenever possible.
How is Dr. Koç's approach different?
Dr. Koç believes IVF is not only a medical procedure but also an emotional journey for the couple. He takes time to explain every step, answers your questions openly, and makes decisions together with you. You can reach him and his team on WhatsApp before, during and after treatment, so you are never left alone with your questions, even after you return home.
Talk to Us
Book a free consultation or get a free second opinion. You can also send us your earlier test results on WhatsApp.