Frequently asked questions about IVF
In Vitro Fertilization (IVF) is a fertility treatment where an egg and sperm are combined outside the body, in a lab setting. This process involves monitoring and stimulating a person's ovulatory process, removing an egg or eggs from the ovaries, and letting sperm fertilize them in a laboratory culture dish. The fertilized egg (embryo) is then transferred to the uterus with the aim of establishing a successful pregnancy. IVF is often used when other methods of assisted reproductive technology have failed, and it offers hope to many who are struggling to conceive.
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Blocked or Damaged Fallopian Tubes: IVF bypasses this by fertilizing the egg in the lab and transferring the embryo to the uterus.
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Male Factor Infertility: Effective for low sperm count or mobility, often paired with ICSI.
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Ovulation Disorders: Uses fertility drugs to stimulate egg production.
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Endometriosis: Helps overcome fertilisation and implantation challenges.
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Unexplained Infertility: Chosen for its higher success rates when causes are unclear.
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Premature Ovarian Failure: IVF with donor eggs assists in pregnancy.
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Uterine Fibroids: Used post-fibroid treatment to aid embryo implantation.
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Genetic Disorders: Combined with PGT to screen for genetic issues.
Each case is unique, and our specialists can guide you to the best treatment plan for your specific needs.
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Medication Stage: Medication stimulates the ovaries to produce multiple eggs.
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Egg Retrieval: The eggs are retrieved from the ovaries.
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Fertilisation: Eggs are fertilised with sperm in our lab.
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Embryo Transfer: After several days, embryos are transferred to the uterus.
This process is carefully monitored to enhance success. For more detailed information or support, feel free to contact us.
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There isn't a set limit on the number of IVF cycles one can attempt. Each case is unique and depends on various factors like age, response to treatments, and both financial and emotional considerations. Importantly, your doctor's guidance plays a crucial role in this decision. We recommend discussing your individual circumstances with your doctor to determine the best approach for you.
The success rate of IVF varies based on several individual factors, such as the ages of the patients, specific fertility issues, embryo quality, and the clinic’s track record. Each journey is unique, and these factors combine differently for everyone. For a more personalised understanding of how these factors might affect your IVF success, we encourage you to consult with our specialists.
An IVF cycle generally spans 4 to 6 weeks, beginning with ovarian stimulation and culminating in embryo transfer. After this step, it takes an additional two weeks before you can take a pregnancy test. We understand this can be an anxious waiting period and are here to support you at every stage of the journey.
Potential side effects from IVF can include:
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Bloating, cramping, mood swings, and headaches due to fertility drugs.
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A possibility of multiple pregnancies.
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A small risk of ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome.
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Chances of ectopic pregnancy.
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Complications from egg retrieval.
We understand these concerns can be daunting. It's important to discuss these risks with your specialist to understand how they might apply to your specific situation and to receive personalised care and support.
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Some women may experience discomfort or mild pain during specific IVF steps, like egg retrieval. Rest assured, we offer pain management options to make the process as comfortable as possible for you.
Many women are able to continue working during IVF treatment. It's important to plan for some flexibility around clinic appointments. Also, consider taking a few days off after egg retrieval and embryo transfer for your comfort and well-being.
IVF costs can vary based on location, treatment types, medications, and medical aid coverage. At our clinic, we prioritise transparency in our cost and billing process. All costs are clearly determined upfront, in tandem with your personalised treatment plan, ensuring you have a clear understanding of the financial aspects of your journey.
Medical Aid coverage for IVF can differ greatly. While some plans may cover all or part of the treatment, others might not. We recommend checking with your insurance provider to understand the specifics of what your plan covers.
Initial consultation and diagnosis
You will then be instructed to call your clinic on the first day of your menstrual cycle to start your treatment synchronized with your body's natural cycle.
You will undergo comprehensive fertility testing and evaluations. This will help your fertility specialist determine the best approach for your fertility treatment.
Step 1
Early cycle check & monitoring phase
On the second or third day of your cycle, you'll undergo an ultrasound to evaluate the condition of your ovaries and uterus. Your fertility specialist will then guide you on how to administer the ovarian stimulation drugs. These medications will encourage your body to produce multiple eggs for fertilisation.
Once the largest follicle is over 20mm in diameter, the doctor will determine the day of aspirating the mature eggs and a trigger drug will be administered to help the eggs mature. This is usually given at 9pm at night so we can do the harvest at 8am, 36 hours later.
At this time, you will be referred to Crestcare Fertility to complete your pre-admission paperwork and arrange for your hospital admission.
Your next appointment will be around day 8 or 9 of your cycle. Your doctor will perform another ultrasound to assess how your ovaries are responding to the medication. Blood tests will also be taken to correlate the hormonal value increase with the number of developing follicles on the ovaries..
Step 2
Step 3
Your follicles (containing the eggs) are removed during an egg retrieval procedure and combined with sperm in the lab to create embryos
On the same day, your partner will provide a sperm sample. An embryologist will then prepare the collected eggs and sperm for fertilisation, which takes place in the lab on the same day as the egg retrieval. It is necessary for your partner to abstain from sex 3 to 5 days before so that he can provide a good sperm sample.
Approximately 36 hours after the trigger injection, the egg retrieval procedure, or follicular aspiration, takes place. This process is performed under conscious sedation to minimise discomfort. You need to fast from the previous night and report to Crestcare Fertility at 7am to be ready for the aspiration procedure scheduled for 8am.
Once all the follicles are aspirated your fertility specialist will place a wristband on your wrist stating the number of eggs retrieved and you will be ready to go home around 10am.
Embryo culturing, monitoring & transfer
Depending on the growth and quality of the embryos, your fertility specialist will transfer one or more embryos into your uterus on either day 3 or day 5 of development.
Over the next few days, the embryos are monitored for growth and development. Your specialist will provide daily updates on their progress, including images of the developing embryos.
You and your partner will need to arrive at the hospital an hour prior to the embryo transfer.
Following the embryo transfer, you'll have a wait of approximately two weeks before taking a pregnancy test. If the test is positive, your fertility clinic will arrange your first pregnancy scan about 7 weeks into your pregnancy.
Step 4
Ready to take the first step?
Schedule a fertility consultation with one of our specialist fertility gynaecologists.
Book your consultation
Your specialist will do a thorough evaluation and provide you with a fertility treatment diagnosis.