In Vitro Fertilisation or IVF
In Vitro Fertilisation (IVF) is the most common assisted reproduction technique used in fertility clinics. We speak of In Vitro Fertilisation when we refer to the technique used to fertilise the egg with the sperm, since it is performed in the laboratory on a culture plate and outside the woman’s body.
There are two types of IVF: conventional and ICSI. In conventional in vitro fertilisation, the oocyte is deposited together with the sperm in a culture dish so that the sperm fertilises the egg in a natural way. This technique is used when the semen quality is good. While in ICSI (Intracytoplasmic Sperm Injection) it is the embryologist who selects and microinjects the sperm into the egg. It is used when the semen sample is of low quality. The embryologist will select the sperm with the highest potential.
Different types of In Vitro Fertilisation – IVF
- IVF with your own egg and your partner’s sperm.
- IVF with your own egg and semen from anonymous donor.
- IVF with a Preimplantional Genetic Test (PGT-A)
- Egg Donation: IVF with anonymous donor egg and your partner’s sperm.
- Doube Donation: IVF with egg and sperm from anonymous donors.
- ROPA Method: IVF with egg from the couple and semen from anonymous donor.
Who is IVF for?
In Vitro Fertilisation is indicated in the following cases:
Several unsuccessful attempts of artificial insemination.
Repeated miscarriages.
Endometriosis, blocked fallopian tubes or absence of fallopian tubes.
Moderate or severe male infertility.
Low ovarian reserve.
Single women & Lesbian couples.
In Vitro Fertilisation Process
First consultation
The first consultation is carried on online or at the clinic, depending on your availability. The Docteur will study your medical history, assess your case and establish a personalised treatment plan. Your personal assistant will then send/give you all the documents you need to make your decision and start your treatment from home.
Ovarian Stimulation
The goal of the IVF treatment is to obtain the highest number of eggs possible. For this purpose, ovarian stimulation is performed, with the daily administration of hormones through subcutaneous injections, to enhance follicular growth. This first phase usually lasts between 10 and 14 days during which we do an ultrasound follow-up of your ovarian response. Once we observe by ultrasound that the follicles have reached an adequate size, we induce ovulation with a final injection of the hormone bHCG and schedule the date for your ovarian puncture.
Egg Retrieval
This is a quick and simple procedure (about 20 minutes), performed under light sedation. During the puncture, we aspirate all the liquid from the follicles and recover the oocytes. The puncture is performed vaginally and does not require hospitalisation. The recovery is rapid.
Fertilisation & embryo development
The mature oocytes obtained during the puncture are fertilised in the laboratory (with sperm from the couple or a donor) to obtain embryos. As a general rule, fertilisation is performed using the ICSI technique of sperm microinjection to increase the fertilisation rate. The embryos obtained are kept under observation in the laboratory incubators until they reach the blastocyst stage (day 5 or 6 of embryonic development).
Embryo Transfer
The embryo transfer is preferably performed on the 5th day of embryo development, thus increasing implantation rates. It is a simple procedure, which consists of depositing the selected embryo in the patient’s uterus, without the need for any type of anesthesia. Embryo selection follows very strict quality criteria in order to achieve pregnancy in the fewest number of attempts possible.
Personalised In Vitro Fertilisation
At Vida Fertility we often see patients with a long history of IVF. Each stimulation will be based on the patient’s results and previous protocols, to improve ovarian response while preserving egg quality.
In Vitro Fertilisation offers greater pregnancy rates compared to other fertility treatments such as Artificial Insemination or Directed Intercourse. That is why it must be your fertility specialist who, thanks to each patient’s personal evaluation and the correct diagnosis, will advise you and accompany you in selecting the most adequate treatment for you.
Techniques & Tehnologies used with In Vitro Fertilisation
The latest scientific advances along with cutting-edge technologies and a team of top-notch professionals provide the security you need as a patient to get pregnant and to give life to your baby.
