In Vitro Fertilisation (IVF) Treatment

 Many causes of infertility can be successfully treated with IVF- male infertility, tubal damage, endometriosis, ovulation problems and unexplained infertility.

IVF treatments creates the optimal conditions required to give eggs and sperm the highest chance of getting together to create a pregnancy.

Firstly, medication is taken to increase the number of eggs available – this is called ovary stimulation.

After that, the eggs are removed, during a process called egg collection, and sperm is added to the eggs in the lab. Where fertilisation takes place. When IVF includes having the sperm injected directly into the eggs, it is called ICSI.

The embryologist then selects the embryo, they consider has the best chance of a pregnancy, to be transferred into the uterus.

Other good quality embryos can be frozen another chance of pregnancy. Because IVF typically makes 6- 10 eggs available, younger women have a 40 – 50 % chance of having a baby from a single treatment. This is double the chance of pregnancy that couples with normal fertility have per month.

While most people think about IVF one cycle at a time, the overall chance of having a child depends on the number of cycles you are prepared to undergo.

IVF treatment has some risks and common side effects during treatment.

A typical IVF cycle

1. Stimulation

The female undergoes a treatment cycle where her own menstrual cycle is suppressed. Once this has been achieved the ovaries are then stimulated with drugs to produce several eggs.

2. Egg retrieval
   When the follicles in which the eggs are contained reach maturity, an injection will be given to allow the follicles to release the eggs. This is all timed accurately so that the eggs can be collected (usually under sedation or light general anaesthetic) using ultrasound guidance.
3. Fertilisation and culture  
   Once the eggs are retrieved they will be fertilised with a prepared sperm sample from the partner or sperm donor and incubated over night. The clinic will culture fertilised eggs (embryos) for several days depending on their development.
4. Embryo transfer and freezing
   An appointment will be given to you to attend for the embryo transfer, usually on days two or three or days five or six after egg collection.  Any embryos remaining in culture that are of suitable quality will be frozen (cryopreserved using vitrification) provided we receive your consent.
5. Pregnancy test
   A pregnancy test will be carried out 11 to 14 days after embryo transfer; depending on which day the embryos were transferred.  If your test is positive an early pregnancy scan will be carried out vaginally when you are between six and seven weeks pregnant. This is to check for an on-going pregnancy by checking the growth of the foetus and the heartbeat.