IVF (In Vitro Fertilisation)
Fertilisation carried out in our in-house embryology laboratory, followed by embryo transfer.
Stay
Day care
Duration
One cycle over several weeks
Anaesthesia
Short sedation for egg retrieval
About IVF (In Vitro Fertilisation)
In vitro fertilisation combines eggs and sperm in the laboratory, and transfers a resulting embryo to the uterus. Our IVF and embryology laboratories are on site, so samples are handled under controlled conditions without being transported elsewhere. Each cycle is planned around your individual assessment.
Before you read on
Everything here is general information about ivf (in vitro fertilisation). Whether it suits you, and how it would be done in your case, is a decision for your doctor after examining you.
Your consultant's instructions always take precedence over anything written on this page.
When is it recommended?
Situations in which a doctor may suggest ivf (in vitro fertilisation).
- Couples who have not conceived after a period of trying
- Blocked or damaged fallopian tubes
- Male factor infertility
- Unexplained infertility, or where other treatments have not succeeded
Procedure details
The usual sequence, from first consultation through to follow-up.
Fertility assessment
Both partners are assessed with blood tests, scans and semen analysis to plan the right treatment.
Ovarian stimulation
Medication encourages the ovaries to produce several eggs, monitored with regular scans.
Egg retrieval and fertilisation
Eggs are collected under short sedation and fertilised in the embryology laboratory.
Embryo transfer
An embryo is transferred to the uterus, followed by a pregnancy test after the advised interval.
How to prepare
What to sort out before you come in.
- Baseline hormone tests, scans and a semen analysis before the cycle starts
- Screening bloods for both partners, as required by law
- Counselling on success rates, costs and what the cycle involves
- Lifestyle guidance - stopping smoking and limiting alcohol improve outcomes
Recovery
What to expect afterwards, and roughly when.
- Egg collection is a day procedure; most people rest that day and resume normally after
- Mild bloating or cramping after collection is common
- A pregnancy test is done around two weeks after the embryo transfer
- Report severe pain, heavy bleeding or breathlessness to us immediately
Why choose Humayun?
What you can expect from us, whichever department you come in through.
Experienced specialists
Consultants who perform these procedures routinely, not occasionally.
Everything on one campus
Theatres, critical care, diagnostics and pharmacy in the same building, so care is not split across sites.
Safety you can check
Infection control, consent and clinical protocols audited against national accreditation standards.
In-house diagnostics
Laboratory and imaging on site, so results reach your doctor the same day rather than after a referral.
Clear about cost
You are told what a treatment involves and what it is likely to cost before you consent to it.
Support around the clock
A 24×7 emergency department and critical care units, whatever time you need us.
Your Health Matters
Take the next step towards better healthcare.
Connect with our experienced specialists and find the right care for you and your family.
More in Fertility & IVF
IUI (Intrauterine Insemination)
Prepared sperm placed directly into the uterus around ovulation - a simpler first step than IVF.
Fertility Assessment
Investigation of both partners to establish why conception has not happened, before any treatment is recommended.
Ovulation Induction
Medication to stimulate the ovaries to release an egg, for women who ovulate irregularly or not at all.
ICSI
A single sperm injected directly into an egg during IVF, used where sperm count, motility or shape is the problem.
Embryo Culture
The days in the laboratory between fertilisation and transfer, where embryos are grown and assessed.
Blastocyst Culture
Growing embryos to day five before transfer, which allows the strongest to be identified more reliably.
Embryo Transfer
Placing the embryo into the uterus, a brief outpatient procedure needing no anaesthetic.
Male Infertility Assessment
Investigation of the male partner, which is involved in roughly half of couples and is frequently skipped.
Semen Analysis
Laboratory assessment of sperm count, movement and shape, the first and most useful test in male fertility.
Fertility Counselling
Support through the emotional and practical side of fertility treatment, which most couples find harder than the medicine.