In Vitro Fertilization (IVF)
Did you know that 1 in 20 babies are now conceived with IVF? And that number is increasing every year!
In vitro fertilization (IVF) is a fertility treatment where fertilisation occurs outside the body. A woman’s eggs and a man’s sperm are combined in a laboratory setting and the resulting embryos are transferred into the woman's uterus one at a time. IVF can help individuals and couples overcome various fertility challenges to help them achieve their dream of parenthood.
The IVF procedure typically involves the following steps:
Ovarian Stimulation:
Fertility medications are used to help the ovaries produce lots of mature eggs instead of the single egg that is typically released during a menstrual cycle.
Egg Collection procedure:
Once the eggs have reached maturity, they are collected using a minor surgical procedure. This involves trans-vaginal ultrasound to guide the insertion of a thin needle into the ovaries to collect the eggs. It can be done while you’re awake (with local anaesthetic numbing injection) or asleep (under general anaesthetic).
Sperm Collection:
Your partner's sperm is collected and prepared in the laboratory.
Fertilisation:
The eggs and sperm are combined in a laboratory dish to facilitate fertilisation.
Embryo Culture:
The resulting embryos are monitored in a special machine for 5 days.
Embryo Transfer procedure:
One embryo at a time is transferred into the woman's uterus for potential implantation. This involves a long thin tube inserted into the uterus to place the little embryo in the perfect spot. It should not be a painful procedure.
What is the chance of success with IVF?
Remember, not everyone who is struggling to conceive needs IVF. There are very few instances where IVF is the only option, and these are rare cases. So, it’s important to have a comprehensive assessment and consider all the possibilities. This will help you make an informed decision and decide what is right for you and your family. As always, your fertility specialist is there to guide you through this journey.
Your fertility specialist should conduct a thorough evaluation to identify the problem. This involves a consultation with you and your partner, medical history review, examination if needed, and organise any necessary tests. From there, they can give you an individualised assessment of your chances of success with IVF, discuss alternate treatment options, and give a recommendation for the best treatment path based on your personal circumstances.
The success rates of IVF can vary depending on many factors, including the woman's age, the quality of the eggs and sperm, the expertise of the fertility specialist, the technology and expertise of the scientists in the fertility clinic, and the underlying fertility issues. Factors that may positively influence success include younger age, good ovarian reserve, and a healthy uterus.
You can look up your fertility clinic on this website to see how well they perform: http://yourivfsuccess.com.au