IVF stage by stage
IVF is performed in five main stages – egg production, monitoring egg production, egg recovery, insemination and embryo transfer.Egg production
As a first step, the ovaries are stimulated by drugs to achieve egg production. Ovarian function is suppressed with buserelin (to prevent spontaneous ovulation) and the ovaries stimulated with gonadotrophins. Most women carry out the injections themselves. The regime starts with daily buserelin injections a week before the woman’s period begins. Menstruation occurs as usual and daily gonadotrophin injections begin about 12 days after the first buserelin injection. The two injections continue for another 10 days until the woman is ready for egg collection. Ultrasound scans are used to measure the number of follicles and their size.Monitoring egg production
We carry out daily oestrogen tests during the stimulation regime. This is important for two reasons: We need to see how well the ovaries are responding and to check for an excessive response, known as hyperstimulation.Egg recovery
Eggs are collected under general anaesthetic in a day patient operation at the BUPA Hospital. Eggs are recovered using a vaginal ultrasound guided technique, although laparoscopy may be necessary in cases where the vaginal route cannot be used. Once the operation is complete, the patient is told how many eggs have been retrieved.Insemination
On the same day as the egg recovery operation, the partner provides a sperm sample and the most active sperm are selected and mixed with the eggs in the culture medium. They are then incubated overnight and checked the next morning for signs of fertilisation.Embryo transfer
The best of the fertilised eggs – embryos – are replaced in the uterus under ultrasound monitoring. This is carried out during a walk in, walk out admission at the BUPA Hospital.We must balance increasing our patients’ chances of a live born healthy child with the possibility of a multiple birth. It is illegal to transfer more than three embryos - we transfer a maximum of two. If a pregnancy is achieved, the pregnancy continues naturally.
