We turned to the team at the Lister Fertility Clinic and asked them to explain what the consent forms are that you need to complete before starting a round of IVF

When you start an IVF journey, you literally have one thing on your mind….getting pregnant! However, there is a lot of talking and planning with your clinic that proceeds the final result. Often, the words you hear become blurred, as your Doctor talks to you about “protocols” and “stimulation” – fertility jargon that is just completely alien to you. Just as you think you are done with all the talking, there are the forms!!! So many words and pages to go over! “Is it really necessary” you ask yourself. “Can’t we just start the treatment?!” you ask yourself. Well, no is the answer to that!

Before commencing fertility treatment, it is essential to complete several consent forms. This ensures that you fully comprehend the proposed treatment and its implications. While the paperwork may seem extensive, it is designed to facilitate the delivery of a safe and effective service, adhering to legal requirements governing fertility treatment.

So what is all the paperwork about?

Consent for Treatment 

This form, akin to those for medical or surgical procedures, seeks your consent for necessary procedures such as egg collection and embryo transfer. Ensure you understand the procedure, whether sedation or anesthesia will be used, and the associated risks before completing this form.

Consent to Disclosure of Information (CD Forms) 

Each partner undergoing treatment must complete a CD form. While your confidentiality is legally protected, you have the option to permit your clinic to share information with your general practitioner and other medical practitioners involved in your ongoing care. Consent for administrative and audit staff access is recommended for service efficiency and quality improvement.

Legal obligations require your clinic to share specific information with the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority (HFEA). You can choose to consent or decline the release of identifying information for research purposes. Research participation is optional and does not impact your treatment.

Consent to Use and Storage of Sperm, Eggs, and/or Embryos 

This form allows you to consent to the use of your gametes and embryos for treatment, research, or training, as well as their storage. Understand the nature and implications of the proposed treatment before giving consent, and specify any additional conditions for usage or storage.

The law permits you to store sperm or embryos for use in your treatment for any period up to a maximum of 55 years from the date that the sperm or embryos are first placed in storage. However, you will need to renew your consent every 10 years.

The form also addresses what should happen to your gametes and embryos if you die or become permanently incapacitated.

Consent to Parenthood 

Complete relevant consent forms if you are using donor sperm, donor eggs, or in vitro embryos created with donor sperm. This ensures legal recognition of the child’s father or second parent.

Consider seeking independent legal advice in specific cases, and be aware that the law distinguishes between legal status and parental responsibility.

Withdrawing, Varying, and Restricting Consent 

You can withdraw or vary consent until your gametes or embryos are used, ensuring written notification and completion of relevant consent forms. If one partner withdraws consent for embryo storage, steps are taken to inform the intended recipient. Consent variations or restrictions are also possible and should be communicated in writing.

Remember, you retain the right to withdraw or modify your consent at any time without providing a specific reason. Notification of withdrawal or modification should be in writing, and an updated set of forms will be required, necessitating an appointment with our team.

Do not consent to treatment until you have received all necessary information to comprehend its implications. If you require additional information, please feel free to ask. We are committed to assisting you in understanding your treatment options and maintaining control over your healthcare.

If you and your partner break up during the IVF journey

To use embryos in treatment or to remove them from storage requires a consent form from both patients.  So, If you have created embryos with a partner and the relationship has broken down it is likely that you will not able to subsequently use them as one or both partners may withdraw their consent for the use or continued storage of these embryos. 

• When the patient contacts the clinic, the paperwork for the stored embryos is clearly marked as dispute and not to be used.
• The patient withdrawing consent is informed that the clinic will contact the other party to advise them of this withdrawal and disposal of consent and the patient concerned is required to fill in a WCS HFEA form.
• If both parties consent to the withdrawal, embryos can be removed from storage.
• If there is a dispute, the patients are given 12 months “cooling off period” before embryos can be removed from storage.  One month before the end of the cooling off period, the unit will contact both parties to find out if a mutual decision has been reached regarding the fate of the embryos.
• No embryos will be kept in storage beyond the statutory storage period.

If you would like more information about the consent forms, either drop us a line at info@ivfbabble.com, or get in touch with the team at the Lister Fertility Clinic.