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IN VITRO FERTILISATION FERTILITY (IVF)

Your Parenthood Journey Starts Here

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In Vitro Fertilisation (IVF) is one of the most well-known and effective assisted reproductive treatments. It involves retrieving eggs from the ovaries, fertilising them in a specialised laboratory with sperm from either a partner or donor, and carefully growing the resulting embryos for 3–5 days before transferring them into the uterus.

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The term “in vitro” means “in glass,” referring to the laboratory dish where fertilisation takes place — the origin of the phrase “test tube baby.” IVF itself is not the artificial creation of life; it is a process that simply brings eggs and sperm together outside the body, after which the natural biological steps of fertilisation and embryo development occur. A full IVF cycle typically lasts between two and three weeks.

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Why is it Recommended 

IVF can be a suitable option for many people, whether you are facing infertility, part of an LGBTQ+ couple, or an individual seeking parenthood. It is commonly considered when there are conditions such as polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), endometriosis, unexplained infertility, uterine fibroids, some ovulatory disorders, recurrent pregnancy loss, or blocked or removed fallopian tubes. Male infertility, including abnormal semen quality, and certain genetic conditions such as BRCA1, may also make IVF an appropriate choice.

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What to Expect

IVF is a multi-step treatment, carefully tailored to each patient’s needs. Throughout the journey, your care team will guide you through each stage.

  • Ovarian Stimulation: For approximately 10–14 days, hormonal injections are administered to stimulate the ovaries and induce the production of multiple mature eggs. Ultrasound scans and blood tests monitor follicle growth, helping to determine the optimal time for egg retrieval.

  • Egg Retrieval: Once the follicles are ready, the eggs are collected in a simple procedure under sedation. Guided by ultrasound, a fine needle is used to aspirate the follicular fluid containing the eggs. The procedure usually takes 20–30 minutes, and recovery is typically 1–2 days.

  • Sperm Preparation: A semen sample, either fresh or frozen, is processed in the lab to isolate the healthiest sperm for fertilisation.

  • Fertilisation: Once the eggs have been retrieved and the sperm sample has been prepared, the two are brought together in the laboratory. In conventional IVF, healthy sperm are placed in a culture dish with the eggs, allowing fertilisation to occur naturally in the growth medium, like the way it would happen in the fallopian tube. In some cases, a technique called intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) may be used, where a single sperm is injected directly into the egg. This procedure is performed by our partners at Aevitas and Fembryo, ensuring fertilisation is carried out with the highest level of expertise.

  • Embryo Culture: The embryos are observed over 3–5 days. Based on international grading standards, the healthiest embryos are selected for transfer.

  • Embryo Transfer: A fine catheter is used to place the chosen embryo into the uterus under ultrasound guidance. This quick procedure is usually painless and does not require anaesthesia.

 

After the transfer, a pregnancy test is scheduled about two weeks later. If successful, your doctor will confirm the pregnancy with a follow-up scan. If not, your care team will meet with you to discuss next steps.

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