In Vitro Fertilisation (IVF)

In vitro fertilisation is often abbreviated to IVF, – in vitro means outside the body.

In short, IVF is a method where the eggs are removed from the ovaries to be fertilised in the laboratory. The eggs are then cultured for approx. 2 days and nights before the fertilised egg is transferred to the uterus for normal growth. At IVF the woman’s ovaries are stimulated to produce more and bigger eggs than at a normal cycle. This means that more than one egg can be removed for the treatment. At a normal cycle the woman normally only produces one egg. More eggs improve the probability of finding suitable eggs for fertilisation.

IVF treatment is recommended in those cases where the woman has tubal blockage, the man has a poor sperm quality, or the cause of infertility is unexplained. There are a number of different medications for IVF treatment, which are to be adjusted to the individual need. You will get more information about this when you have your consultation at the clinic.

The preconditions for In Vitro Fertilisation

Treatment with in vitro fertilisation implies that:

• The man produces sperm cells, or has sperm cells that we in special cases can extract from the testicle or from the epididymis. If the man does not produce sperm cells, donor sperm cells can be used.
• The woman has ovulation, either by herself or through hormone treatment.
• The woman has a normal uterus.
• The couple has no incidence of venereal diseases or infections.
• You have received genetic counselling.

To obtain the best possible results at the treatment it is important that the woman produces eggs and that her uterus is able to receive the fertilised egg. If the woman does not produce eggs herself, IVF can be performed with donor eggs.

IVF step by step

Below you get a short overview of the steps of the IVF treatment:

1. Preliminary consultation with the doctor.
   Here we can make sure that you are well informed about your treatment.
2. Examination for infertility
   The couple is examined for causes of infertility.
3. Hormone stimulation
   The woman gets a hormone stimulation to regulate the egg production and the egg maturation.
4. Ultrasound scan of the follicles
   The right time for egg removal is determined.
5. Egg aspiration (aspiration)
   The eggs are aspirated from the ovaries. Aspiration is performed with a thin needle through the vagina wall. The doctor will administer a local anaesthetic in the vagina wall. Egg aspiration is illustrated below:
6. Sperm cell sample
   The man hands in a sperm cell sample on the day of the egg aspiration. If donor sperm cells or frozen sperm cells are to be used, these are thawed.
7. Fertilisation of the eggs (fertilisation)
   The aspirated eggs are fertilised with the sperm cells in the laboratory.
8. Egg transfer (transfer)
   The fertilised egg/eggs are transferred to the woman’s uterus for normal growth.
9. After-treatment
   The endometrium is stimulated to prepare it for receiving the egg.
10. Pregnancy test
    The pregnancy test is made 14 days after the egg transfer.