Our individualised approach means that every couple will vary in how their treatment is planned and managed, however the following information may help to give you some idea of what can be expected when undertaking an IVF/ICSI cycle.
All embryos cared for in our laboratory will be nurtured on the basis of one incubator per patient, where possible
Fertility drugs and monitoring of response
When undergoing treatment, women will be given a course of fertility drugs. Ovarian suppressants are injected daily for up to four weeks, combined with injections of Gonadotrophin for the final 10-14 days to stimulate the development of the follicles, which contain eggs, on the ovaries. A final single injection of hormone is given 36 hours before the planned egg collection, to ripen and mature the eggs prior to their removal.
During the cycle of drug treatment, women are monitored very closely in order to determine the ideal timing for egg collection. Ultrasound scans are performed regularly at the clinic in the lead-up to egg collection, approximately 2-3 times per week, in order to see the developing follicles. Blood samples may also be taken to obtain hormone measurements towards the end of the treatment.
Our individualised approach to treatment means that you may undergo more frequent follicular monitoring, up to 5 or 6 times a week, to guarantee the collection of prime eggs and this will be based on your individual clinical needs.
Egg collection
Egg collection from the ovaries is carried out once the follicles have matured to a certain size. The final single dose of hCG (human chorionic gonadotrophin) is administered 36 hours before the scheduled egg recovery.
The egg recovery is a short procedure conducted in the clinic, taking approximately 30 minutes. A fine needle is inserted through the upper vagina, guided by a vaginal ultrasound probe. Light sedation is given to help relaxation and minimise discomfort. Most couples will be able to leave the clinic within 3-4 hours of this procedure, however it is necessary to avoid driving or any tasks requiring precision for 24 hours after the procedure.
Sperm collection and preparation
At your initial consultation, the male partner will be required to provide a semen sample for analysis. This will enable the doctor and the embryologist to determine the best course of treatment for you.
On the day of egg collection, approximately an hour before egg recovery, the male partner will be required to again provide a sample of semen (unless a frozen specimen is being used). The male is advised to abstain from ejaculation for 2-3 days prior to the procedure to maximise the number of good quality sperm in the ejaculate. The sperm sample is washed and prepared for addition to the eggs.
Embryo incubation
Embryos and eggs are extremely sensitive to temperature and pH fluctuations, so equipment that minimises variation in culture conditions will help to protect and increase the quality of embryos produced.
All embryos cared for in our laboratory will be nurtured on the basis of one incubator per patient, where possible. This benefits the embryos by maintaining optimal conditions for incubation.
Using state-of-the-art equipment, such as our Mini-Incubators (MINCs), we can create a more natural environment in which to nurture your embryos. MINCs have a supply of special gases, as opposed to simply CO2, that better mimic the optimal environment that embryos are used to.
This leading edge extends across our clinic. Our EmCell (humidcrib) allows embryos to be handled in a special chamber supplied with pure CO2, preventing the embryos being exposed to an external environment - procedure favoured by some of the world’s top fertility clinics.
Blastocyst culture and embryo transfer
Depending on the development stage of the embryos, transfer to the uterus may occur 2-3 days after egg collection. For the majority of patients however, the embryo transfer will occur at 5 days after egg collection, this is called a Blastocyst Transfer.
Transferring an embryo at blastocyst stage means that the strongest embryos, which have developed well in the lab for up to five to six days, are returned to the uterus, subsequently increasing a patient’s chance of getting pregnant. Worldwide studies confirm that blastocyst culture and transfer significantly increases a patient’s chance of getting pregnant, with all of the top fertility clinics in the world using this process. It is also possible to transfer fewer embryos with blastocyst culture, thereby decreasing the likelihood of multiple births. Multiple births increase the risk of complications to you and your babies.
Embryo transfer is a simple and painless procedure, which involves the transfer of up to two embryos via a fine catheter inserted through the cervix into the womb. Embryo transfer is carried out with the use of an ultrasound scan.
All patients are advised that the transfer of two embryos increases the chance of becoming pregnant with twins.