IVF

IVF (in-vitro fertilisation) is one of the most commonly known treatments.

In-vitro fertilisation (‘in-vitro’ literally means ‘within the glass’) involves bringing eggs and sperm together in a glass dish in our laboratory to replicate what happens naturally within the woman’s body.

Once you have chosen to pursue IVF you will be given follicle stimulating drugs which will increase the production of eggs within the body, maximising the number of eggs available for fertilisation.

Scans will reveal the optimum time for these eggs to be collected and you will be asked to attend the clinic on a specific day for these eggs to be collected under sedation.

At the same time, we need the male partner to produce a semen sample to be used for the fertilisation of the collected eggs, either naturally or under sedation using surgical techniques (Surgical Sperm Recovery).

Our specialists work out the exact amount of sperm needed, with the strongest sperm penetrating the egg to form an embryo, as it would in the body.

Your embryos will then be given the optimum environment in which to develop within the dish. Between two and six days after fertilisation you will be asked to re-attend the clinic where your embryos will be transferred into your uterus and continue their development.

IVF can be very effective for treating:

• Blocked or damaged fallopian tubes
• Endometriosis
• Women whose fallopian tubes have been removed
• Hostile cervical mucus
• Certain male infertility issues

IVF does not address sperm dysfunction, which is often best treated by ICSI.

For further information on IVF, download the BCRM Key Services Brochure.