| In vitro fertilisation is a three stage procedure involving an initial phase of injections to stimulate the growth of multiple eggs (typically 12 to 14 eggs are obtained in each cycle). The eggs are then collected through the vagina using ultrasound under sedation or light anaesthetic. The male partner usually would produce his sperm on the same day although depending on the individual circumstances sperm can be kept frozen at the clinic. In in vitro fertilisation each egg is then placed in a droplet of culture fluid containing all the nutrients required for embryo development and approximately 50,000 sperm are added to each egg.
The sperm and eggs are then cultured overnight in an incubator. The day following egg collection embryologists check the eggs for signs of fertilisation. The fertilised eggs are allowed to develop for a further 48 hours until they reach the day 3 stage when we anticipate that the best embryos will have between 6 and 8 cells. Usually embryos will be transferred into your uterus at this day 3 stage but if you have many embryos on this day we may suggest that you undergo a blastocyst transfer This involves developing the embryos for a further 2 days in the laboratory until they become blastocysts on day 5 after egg collection.
Embryo transfer is a very important process in which the best embryos are placed in your uterus. In our practise we place 2 good embryos back into your womb and other embryos are frozen to be used in subsequent cycles.
Pregnancy rates during IVF treatment is dependent on a number of factors such as the women’s age, years of infertility, hormone levels, associated gynecological conditions such as endometriosis, fibroids, ovarian cysts and preexisting medical conditions. | 
