IVF treatment
Within this section, you can find information explaining everything about IVF, including what it is, how it works, fertility challenges it can overcome, success rates and costs.
In natural conception, when an egg is ovulated each month, sufficient numbers of actively swimming sperm need to enter the cervix, work their way up the uterus and into the fallopian tubes. An egg must be released from the ovary and make its way down the tube to meet the sperm - the timing for all this needs to be right so that the egg and sperm can combine. Then, if the sperm successfully fertilises the egg, the dividing egg makes it way back down to the uterus to implant into the lining of the womb.
A problem with any of these steps in the reproductive process may result in difficulties in becoming pregnant. There are a number of reasons why this process may not work efficiently and this is where IVF can help. Whilst it is not a cure for infertility, IVF can overcome issues that obstruct natural conception and help people to have a baby.
What is IVF?
IVF (in vitro fertilization) is a fertility treatment where fertilisation happens outside of the body. It is one of several techniques available to help people with fertility problems have a baby.
During the IVF process, eggs are fertilised with sperm in a lab, using either your own eggs and sperm or using donor eggs and sperm. A fertilised egg is called an embryo, which can then be transferred back into the uterus to grow or frozen for transfer later on.
IVF is usually referred to as a cycle, with distinct stages during a cycle. There’s more information on each stage of the IVF process step by step below.
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Professor Charles Kingsland talks through the IVF process from stimulation through to post-embryo transfer and pregnancy scans
What is the IVF process?
The IVF procedure can be broken down into seven main stages. This covers consultations, tests, and the treatment cycle – we’ve broken down the IVF process step by step for you below, so you know what to expect.
At Care, every treatment plan is unique, because we know that your body and your treatment are as unique as you are. Our plans are designed to give each individual patient their best chance of having a baby.
That means that your plan may vary slightly from this guide, because we want to make sure that you’re getting the right tests and treatment to support your fertility.
We’ll always explain what’s happening during every step of the process, so that you know what’s going on with your individual IVF treatment plan.
Step 1: IVF consultation and fertility tests
Step 2: Ovarian stimulation
Step 3: Ovarian maturation and monitoring
Step 4: Egg and sperm collection
Step 5: Fertilisation and embryo development
Step 6: Embryo transfer
The two-week wait
Step 7: Pregnancy test and ultrasound scan
How long does IVF treatment take?
Whilst individual cases can vary, depending on the issues that are affecting fertility, it is typical for IVF to take approximately 7 weeks from when you take your first drug, until your pregnancy test.
Who can IVF help?
Getting pregnant is often more difficult than people think, especially as we get older. It’s helpful to be aware of the fertility issues that people can have when they are trying to conceive and how IVF works to address these problems. These can include:
- Blocked or damaged fallopian tubes
- Endometriosis
- Unexplained fertility issues
- Difficulty with ovulation
- PCOS (polycystic ovarian syndrome)
- Women who are older with a lower ovarian reserve
- Men with low sperm counts
IVF FAQs
We know you’ll have a lot of questions about the IVF process. You can always get in touch with the Care team if you want to talk in more detail, but here are some of the most frequently asked questions we get about IVF treatment.
What are the success rates of IVF treatment?
- Birth rates for patients under 35 were 32% per embryo transferred
- Birth rates for patients aged 35-37 were 25%
- Birth rates for patients aged 38-39 were 19%
- For women 43+ birth rates were below 5%
Are there any potential risks associated with IVF treatment?
- Ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome (when ovaries become swollen and painful)
- Stress
- Egg-retrieval procedure complications
- Multiple births (the likelihood of having twins is higher with IVF)
Potential side effects of the IVF process
- Abdominal pain
- Mild bloating and/or cramping
- Breast tenderness
- Headaches
- Constipation
- Mood swings
How much does IVF cost?
When was IVF first successful?
Patient stories
Are there any potential risks associated with IVF?
As with any medical procedure, there is an element of risk with IVF. These risks include:
- Ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome (when ovaries become swollen and painful)
- Stress
- Egg-retrieval procedure complications
- Multiple births (the likelihood of having twins is higher with IVF)
At Care the health and comfort of our patients is of the utmost importance to us. We do everything we can to minimise risk during IVF, and we offer support throughout your fertility journey.
Potential side effects of IVF
Patients undergoing IVF are required to take a few different medications throughout the treatment process; these drugs are associated with some potential side effects. However, for most, the chances of starting a family through IVF far outweigh the possible side effects. Some possible side effects include:
- Abdominal pain
- Mild bloating and/or cramping
- Breast tenderness
- Headaches
- Constipation
- Mood swings
Start your IVF journey with Care
Arranging a consultation is simple; we offer virtual and in-person consultations.
You can book your consultation and pre-treatment tests below.
Or if you’d like to talk to someone at Care about your options, it's straightforward to get started, call us on 0800 564 2270.