Gynaecology and IVF in Turkey: Fertility, Keyhole Surgery and Birth in Istanbul

Gynaecology and fertility care in Istanbul: how it works

Treatment is planned from your reports: an ultrasound, AMH and hormone results, an MRI where needed and any previous treatment records. The gynaecologist reviews them before you travel and tells you which treatment is appropriate and how long you need to stay. New City Clinic is a health-tourism organisation authorised by the Turkish Ministry of Health and registered with HealthTürkiye. We arrange your treatment at licensed partner hospitals, where their specialist doctors treat you; New City Clinic does not operate itself. Cancers of the breast, ovary, cervix and womb are handled by the oncology department and are not covered on this page.

IVF (IVF / ICSI): the rules in Turkey

Under Turkish law IVF is available only to married couples using their own eggs and sperm. Egg, sperm or embryo donation and surrogacy are not permitted, sex selection is allowed only for medical reasons, and a marriage certificate is required. New City Clinic arranges IVF only within these rules. The ovaries are stimulated with injections for about 10–12 days and followed with ultrasound and blood tests. The eggs are collected under brief sedation, fertilised with the husband’s sperm by ICSI and grown for 3–5 days, and a suitable embryo is transferred fresh or after freezing. Where there is a known genetic condition or repeated miscarriage, embryos can be tested (PGT). No result can be guaranteed, and more than one cycle may be needed.

Egg freezing

Eggs are collected after about 10–12 days of stimulation, as in IVF, and stored by vitrification. In Turkey egg freezing is permitted in the situations defined by the regulations, such as before cancer treatment, with low ovarian reserve or with a family history of early menopause, and eligibility is assessed under these rules before you book travel. Because egg quality falls with age, freezing earlier is an advantage. Frozen eggs do not guarantee a future pregnancy; the chance depends on the age at freezing and the number of eggs stored.

Fibroids and endometriosis surgery

Fibroids are benign growths of the womb muscle that can cause heavy periods, anaemia, pelvic pain and difficulty conceiving; endometriosis is tissue like the womb lining growing outside the womb and is a common cause of painful periods and infertility. With mild symptoms, monitoring and medication may be enough. When surgery is needed, fibroids inside the womb cavity are removed through the cervix without any incision (hysteroscopic myomectomy), and fibroids in the wall of the womb are removed through small incisions while keeping the womb (laparoscopic or robotic myomectomy). Endometriosis deposits and cysts are removed laparoscopically. Fibroids and endometriosis can come back, so follow-up matters.

Laparoscopic hysterectomy

A hysterectomy is considered for women who do not plan further pregnancies, for example with large or multiple fibroids, adenomyosis, abnormal bleeding not helped by other treatment, uterine prolapse or pre-cancerous changes of the cervix. In suitable patients it is done through a few small incisions or through the vagina, and in women before menopause the ovaries are kept whenever possible. The hospital stay is usually 1–2 nights; desk work is possible after 2–3 weeks, and heavy lifting and intercourse are avoided for 6 weeks.

Pregnancy and birth in Istanbul

Antenatal care includes regular check-ups, first-trimester screening, a detailed anomaly scan between weeks 18 and 22 and, where needed, NIPT. Birth is planned at partner hospitals with a neonatal intensive care unit, as a vaginal birth or, for medical reasons, a caesarean section. Airlines usually ask for a doctor’s letter after week 28 and do not allow flying after week 36 in a single pregnancy or week 32 with twins, so arrival is planned earlier. After the birth, allow usually 2–4 weeks for the baby’s check-ups, the birth certificate and a passport from your own consulate. Being born in Turkey does not automatically give the baby Turkish citizenship. Check that your travel insurance covers pregnancy and birth abroad.

Who is a candidate?

Treatment is planned for women in good general health with realistic expectations who are found suitable at examination. For IVF, both spouses take part: an AMH test and ultrasound for the wife, a semen analysis for the husband, and the marriage certificate. For surgery, recent ultrasound or MRI images, cervical screening results and, if you are anaemic from heavy bleeding, blood results help the gynaecologist plan; anaemia may be treated first.

How the trip works, days in Istanbul and flying home

Typical stays are: IVF 10–14 days, with stimulation able to start at home; egg freezing 12–14 days; fibroid or endometriosis surgery about 5–7 days with 1–2 nights in hospital; hysterectomy about 7–10 days; pregnancy and birth often four to six weeks in total. For IVF the husband needs to be present for the sperm sample on the day of egg collection, and the pregnancy test about 10–12 days after transfer can be done at home. After surgery, choose an aisle seat, walk and move your ankles on the flight and avoid lifting heavy luggage. Check whether you need a visa or e-visa for Turkey on evisa.gov.tr. Once your treatment is planned, the hospital confirms your appointment in writing.

What the package includes and price

The package includes treatment at a licensed partner hospital, any hospital stay, hotel accommodation, airport–hotel–hospital transfers, tests and coordination where specified. Flights are not included. There is no fixed list price for gynaecology or IVF on this page: the cost depends on the protocol, the operation and the length of stay, so you receive a written quote after the gynaecologist’s assessment. Complication insurance is included in every surgical package New City Clinic organises. Its scope, limits and exclusions are given to you in writing with your quote and before treatment, so you can ask questions before you sign.

Partner hospitals and how to start

Treatment is planned at partner hospitals licensed by the Turkish Ministry of Health: Acıbadem, Medicana, Medipol, Medical Park and Biruni University Hospital. The hospital is chosen according to where the specialist for your treatment practises and what suits your case; it is named in your written plan before you travel. Send your reports, scans and questions on WhatsApp. A specialist reviews them free of charge, you usually receive a written quote within 24 hours, and a coordinator then organises your dates, hotel and transfers and stays in touch after you are home.

• IVF Treatment (IVF / ICSI)
• Egg Freezing
• Fibroids and Endometriosis Surgery
• Laparoscopic Hysterectomy
• Pregnancy and Birth in Istanbul
• Prices

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