Set Out on Your Parental Journey!
Through Devotion Health, reserve your bookings with reputable hospitals and clinics that specialise in In Vitro Fertilisation (IVF).
What is In Vitro Fertilization (IVF)?
In Vitro Fertilization (IVF) is a fertility treatment that involves the fertilisation of an egg with sperm outside the body in a laboratory setting. The term “in vitro” refers to the process of fertilisation occurring in a controlled environment, typically a petri dish or a specialised culture medium. IVF is commonly used to assist couples who struggle to conceive naturally due to various factors, including blocked fallopian tubes, male factor infertility, advanced maternal age, or unexplained infertility.
Why Choose In Vitro Fertilization (IVF)?
- High Success Rates: IVF has proven to be an effective fertility treatment with higher success rates. The ability to carefully select and monitor embryos before implantation increases the chances of a successful pregnancy.
- Addressing Various Infertility Factors: IVF can overcome a wide range of infertility factors, including tubal blockages, low sperm count or motility, endometriosis, and ovulation disorders.
- Preimplantation Genetic Testing: IVF allows for preimplantation genetic testing, which involves screening embryos for genetic disorders or chromosomal abnormalities before they are transferred to the uterus. This helps reduce the risk of passing on inherited conditions and increases the likelihood of a healthy pregnancy.
- Opportunity for Gestational Surrogacy: IVF enables individuals or couples to pursue gestational surrogacy, where a surrogate carries the pregnancy on behalf of the intended parents. This option allows those who may not be able to carry a pregnancy themselves to experience the joys of parenthood.
The In Vitro Fertilization (IVF) Procedure
- Ovarian Stimulation: The woman undergoing IVF will receive fertility medications to stimulate the ovaries to produce multiple mature eggs. Regular monitoring through ultrasounds and hormone tests will be conducted to assess follicle development.
- Egg Retrieval: Egg retrieval is performed under sedation once the follicles have reached optimal maturity. A fine needle is used to collect the eggs from the ovaries, guided by ultrasound imaging.
- Sperm Collection and Fertilisation: On the same day as the egg retrieval, sperm is collected from the male partner or a donor. The sperm is then combined with the retrieved eggs in the laboratory for fertilisation.
- Embryo Culture and Monitoring: Fertilised eggs, now embryos, are cultured in the laboratory for several days. They are monitored for development and quality.
- Embryo Transfer: The highest-quality embryos are selected for transfer into the woman’s uterus. This process, performed with a thin catheter, is usually painless and does not require anaesthesia.
- Post-Transfer Care and Pregnancy Test: Following the embryo transfer, the woman may be advised to take progesterone or other medications to support the uterine lining. A pregnancy test is typically performed around two weeks after the transfer to determine if the procedure was successful.
