IVF Treatment

In Vitro Fertilisation (IVF) treatment is one of several techniques available to help couples and individuals struggling to have a baby, conceive. During IVF treatment, eggs are removed from the woman’s ovaries and placed in vitro (in a test tube, which is where the word vitro comes from). The egg is then fertilised by the sperm in a laboratory. The fertilised egg is called an embryo and it is implanted into the woman’s womb where the hope is that it will develop into a healthy pregnancy.

IVF treatment may be recommended for women who have been trying to conceive naturally, through regular unprotected sex, for more than 2 years. In some circumstances (such as other gynaecological conditions, or if the female partner is over 35 years old, IVF may be recommended after only 1 year of trying to conceive). IVF treatment may also be recommended for:

• Women with blocked or damaged fallopian tubes.
• People with unexplained fertility problems, or those who have tried other treatments that were unsuccessful, such as ovulation induction.
• Men with low sperm counts or men with sperm abnormalities.
• Older women who are less likely to conceive naturally.
• Women who have difficulty with ovulation.
• Women for whom other fertility treatments such as intrauterine insemination have been unsuccessful.

IVF is not suitable for everyone. Some people may have problems, such as irregular or absent ovulation, that can be corrected with drug treatment alone. So, it is important you understand all of your options before proceeding. At Wessex Fertility, we ensure you understand every aspect of your infertility and the best treatments to pursue.

Understanding IVF treatment step by step is important before undertaking this kind of treatment. IVF treatment can be a difficult journey, but at Wessex Fertility we are with you every step of the way. The IVF process involves 6 main stages:

1. Suppressing your natural cycle with medication.
2. Boosting your egg supply using medication that encourages the ovaries to produce a higher number of eggs than usual.
3. Monitoring your progress and maturing your eggs. An ultrasound scan is carried out at this point to check the development of the eggs and certain medications are used to help these eggs mature.
4. Egg collection is then carried out by inserting a needle into the ovaries, via the vagina, to remove the eggs.
5. The eggs are then mixed with the sperm for a few days to allow fertilisation to occur.
6. 1 to 2 fertilised eggs (embryos) are then transferred into the womb.

After the embryo transfer has taken place, you will need to wait 2 weeks before taking a pregnancy test to see whether or not your IVF treatment has been successful.

The success rate of IVF differs from person to person. There are many factors that influence the success rate, including the age of the woman undergoing treatment, as well as the cause of infertility (if it is known).

The below percentages are taken from the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority to show the average chance of a birth from IVF treatment. These figures show the average chance of a successful IVF birth when using the woman’s own eggs and her partner’s sperm:

• Under 35: 29%
• 35-37: 24%
• 38-39: 17%
• 40-42: 11%
• 43-44: 4%
• Over 44: 3%

The time that IVF treatments take varies from person to person. For most women, one cycle of IVF will take anywhere from 4 to 6 weeks. However, for some women it is possible to bring the treatment time down to around 3 weeks if they don’t need the first stage of treatment which involves suppressing your hormone production. If you have any questions about the length of time IVF treatment will take in your circumstance, book a consultation with our specialists today. We can answer any questions you may have.

Alongside IVF treatment we provide intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI). This treatment involves the injection of a single sperm directly into the egg. ICSI is recommended for couples where the man has low sperm numbers or low sperm motility, making it less likely that the sperm will fertilise the egg on its own. This treatment is appropriate for couples struggling with male infertility.

If you are considering IVF or ICSI treatment and you would like to know more, book your consultation today. At Wessex Fertility we are committed to finding the best treatment plan for you. Book your IVF treatment consultation with us today.