IVF stands for in vitro fertilization that means fertilization outside the body. In lay-man's terms this is known as the "Test Tube Baby" technique. The woman is given fertility drugs to produce more than one egg, and when ready, the eggs are collected using a minor surgical procedure. The eggs are stored in the IVF lab and mixed with a prepared sample of the male partners sperm. If fertilization occurs, the resulting embryos are monitored over a few days to see how they develop. Embryos can be transferred to the womb between day 2 and 6 after collection.
To prepare for IVF, there are several tests that are done before treatment is started:
TESTS DONE BEFORE IVF CYCLE:
THE IVF CYCLE
There are several stages to the IVF cycle.
- First the ovaries have to be stimulated.
- Then the eggs are collected and the eggs and sperm are prepared in our IVF laboratory.
- If embryos are successfully generated, 1-2 embryos are chosen for transfer - Read more on Embryo Transfer Procedure
- The number of embryos chosen transferred depends on a number of factors. - Read more about Number of Embryos to Transfer
- Any good quality embryos remaining may be frozen. At the CRGH we are using a highly successful method of freezing eggs and embryos called vitrification
- Pregnancy rate is greatly influenced by the cause of infertility, your age and whether you have been pregnant before. Our most recent statistics are displayed - See our success rate
- After your IVF cycle, there are a number of things you must do. - Read more about After your IVF Cycle
- Occasionally complications occur during the IVF procedure, such as ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome, abandoned cycles and recurrent IVF failure.
