IVF Treatment
IVF - In Vitro Fertilisation
We are one of the world's leading providers of IVF, genetic screening and fertility preservation techniques. At the forefront of IVF science, CARE's embryologists and doctors are able to offer you today's most advanced and effective fertility treatment procedures, some of which were developed through our own research. You can access our IVF and fertility treatments at CARE clinics across the UK
What is IVF treatment?
IVF stands for in vitro fertilization. In vitro is the medical term for when a process is performed outside of a person’s body, usually in a test tube or culture dish. IVF treatment is when an egg is removed from the ovaries and fertilized with sperm in a laboratory.
The IVF treatment process involves stimulating ovulation with hormonal medication to produce lots of eggs. These eggs are then carefully collected to be fertilized. If the eggs are successfully fertilized, one or two of the embryos are selected to be inserted back into the uterus.
The first successful IVF procedure was carried out in 1978 and Professor Simon Fishel, who founded CARE Fertility, was part of the UK team who pioneered IVF. Since then over 5 million babies have been born worldwide, more than 50,000 of them are CARE babies.
IVF science has advanced very rapidly in recent years and CARE has been at the forefront of these developments, helping to pioneer ever more effective treatments and widening the range of people who can be helped.
If you’re struggling to start a family, IVF treatment could help make your dream come true.
Who is IVF treatment suitable for?
There are lots of reasons you might choose IVF to start your family, from conditions that cause infertility, to your age and family circumstance. They can include:
- Blocked fallopian tubes
- Low ovarian reserve
- Conditions like Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS) and Endometriosis
- Irregular ovulation cycles
- Low sperm count
- Sperm motility issues
- Sperm morphology issues
- People using a surrogate
- People using donor sperm
- Recurrent miscarriages.
Whilst some conditions above, such as blocked fallopian tubes will require IVF to enable conception, other conditions or circumstances don't necessarily mean you need IVF to start a family. There are many fertility treatment options available which might be better suited to you. Find out if IVF treatment is suitable for you.
When is IVF needed?
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 (in vitro fertilisation) can help. Whilst it is not a treatment cure for infertility, IVF can overcome issues that obstruct natural conception and help people who can't conceive naturally to have a baby.
What is the IVF procedure?
The IVF procedure includes a number of steps:
1. A woman’s ovaries are stimulated with fertility drugs to produce multiple mature eggs
2. The eggs are then collected from her body
3. Her eggs are then fertilised with her partner’s sperm in the embryology lab.
4. The resulting embryos are cultured for three to five days
5. One of the embryos is transferred back into her uterus
Read more about the IVF Treatment procedure, and the process step by step.
How long does IVF treatment take?
A typical IVF treatment takes approximately seven weeks from when you take your first drug, until your pregnancy test.
Is IVF treatment right for me?
Here are some of the most common reasons why people need IVF. Find out more.
What are the success rates of IVF?
According to the HFEA, birth rates from IVF in the UK have steadily increased over time with the average birth rate per embryo transferred standing at 24% in 2018, compared with just 7% in 1991.
In 2019, the years of study in HFEA Statistical release published in 2021, they found:
- 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%
Of course, the likelihood of success with IVF varies person to person as everyone’s circumstances vary. One thing you can be sure of is that at CARE we will do everything we can to maximise your chances of starting a family.
Are there any risks associated with IVF?
As with many medical procedures, there is an element of risk involved with IVF treatment. These risks include:
- Ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome (when ovaries become swollen and painful)
- Stress
- Egg-retrieval procedure complications
- Ectopic pregnancy (when a fertilized egg implants outside the uterus, usually in the fallopian tube)
- Premature delivery and low birth weight
- 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.
How much does IVF treatment cost?
IVF Treatment costs vary across the UK, but a procedure most typically costs £3,450–£3,750.
For more detailed information on how much IVF costs read our IVF and fertility treatment costs, where you can also find fee schedules for our different clinics.
Can I get IVF treatment on the NHS?
IVF is available on the NHS, but the process and criteria vary across different Clinical Commissioning Groups (CCGs). You read more about the process of getting IVF on the NHS, and NHS Funding for IVF.
Additional IVF & fertility treatments
Not everyone experiencing infertility problems needs IVF -you may become pregnant with an IUI treatment. It may be that you require fertility drugs, or that you require additional IVF treatments. Other fertility issues may require additional treatments to give you your best chance of having a baby.
IUI Treatment
IUI (Intrauterine Insemination) is a simple form of treatment, it involves putting prepared sperm into the uterus.
ICSI Treatment
ICSI (Intracytoplasmic Sperm Injection) can significantly improve fertilisation if there is a low quality sperm issue.
Surgical sperm retrieval
For some sperm issues surgical sperm retrieval is a successful way to collect sperm.
Blastocyst transfer
Blastocysts are thought to be a more "select" group of embryos giving improved success.
IVF using a surrogate
For people who are unable to carry a child themselves, surrogacy is a good option.
Natural cycle IVF
This type of IVF treatment requires less fertility drugs and is when one egg is collected from your ovary during your natural cycle.
Endometrial scratch
We scratch the lining of your womb to initiate a repair process to improve implantation.