IVF & ICSI Treatment

Understanding IVF (In Vitro Fertilisation)

What is IVF?

IVF is a process where your eggs and sperm are combined in a laboratory to create embryos, which are then carefully transferred to your womb. It's a trusted treatment that has helped millions of people build their families over the past 50 years.

Who needs IVF?

  • Couples trying for over a year without success
  • Blocked or damaged fallopian tubes
  • Endometriosis and some cases of PMOS/PCOS
  • Unexplained infertility
  • Male fertility issues

How long does it take?

From starting injections to embryo transfer: about 3 weeks

Then you wait 2 weeks for your pregnancy test.

Understanding ICSI (Intracytoplasmic Sperm Injection)

What is ICSI?

ICSI is IVF with an extra step: instead of mixing sperm and eggs together, we inject a single sperm directly into each mature egg. This gives sperm the best chance of fertilising the egg.

Who needs ICSI?

  • Low sperm count, poor movement, or abnormal shape
  • Previous IVF cycles where eggs didn't fertilise
  • Sperm collected surgically
  • High sperm DNA fragmentation

What's the difference between IVF and ICSI?

IVF

Eggs and sperm are mixed together; fertilisation happens naturally

ICSI

We inject one sperm into each mature egg; higher fertilisation rate for sperm issues

The egg collection process is identical for both.

ZyMōt

Advanced Sperm Selection

ZyMōt is an advanced sperm separation device used in our IVF laboratory to select the highest quality sperm for your treatment. Only the most motile sperm can pass through its microporous membrane, naturally self-selecting the best candidates while excluding those that are immature, damaged or less motile.

Unlike conventional methods, ZyMōt avoids centrifugation, which can stress sperm — resulting in lower DNA fragmentation and higher sperm quality, which may improve fertilisation, embryo development and pregnancy rates.

An optional add-on suitable alongside ICSI, IVF or IUI, ZyMōt can be discussed with your consultant to see if it's right for you. A detailed information leaflet is available on request.

Your IVF/ICSI Journey: Step by Step

Ovarian Stimulation (10-15 days)

You'll use daily hormone injections to encourage your ovaries to develop multiple eggs. We'll monitor your progress with 3-4 ultrasound scans to ensure everything is on track.

Trigger Injection (36 hours before collection)

A single injection signals your eggs to complete their final maturation, preparing them for collection.

Egg Collection (Day 0)

This gentle procedure is performed under light sedation and takes 20-30 minutes. Using a thin needle guided through the vagina, we carefully collect your eggs. You'll rest for about an hour afterward before heading home the same day.

Fertilisation (Day 1)

  • IVF: Your eggs and sperm are brought together naturally in the lab
  • ICSI: A single sperm is carefully injected into each mature egg

The following day, we'll let you know how many eggs have successfully fertilised (typically 50-70%).

Embryo Development (Days 2-6)

Your embryos develop in our laboratory under close daily observation. The strongest embryos reach the "blastocyst" stage by day 5 or 6—this advanced stage offers the best chance of success.

Embryo Transfer (Day 5-6)

We'll gently place your best embryo into your womb using a soft, thin catheter. The procedure is quick (around 5 minutes) and requires no anesthesia. Any additional viable embryos will be carefully frozen for potential future use.

The Two-Week Wait

You'll take progesterone medication to support your womb lining while you wait. After two weeks, it's time for your pregnancy test.

Fresh vs. Frozen Embryo Transfer: Understanding Your Options

Day 3-5 after egg collection

Fresh Embryo Transfer

With a fresh transfer, your embryo is placed into your womb 3-5 days after fertilisation:

Day 3 transfer (cleavage stage)

The embryo contains 6-8 cells

Day 5 transfer (blastocyst stage)

The embryo has grown significantly to 100-150 cells. At this advanced stage, cells have begun to specialise—some will develop into your baby, while others form the placenta. Blastocysts have notably higher implantation rates.

Please note: With ICSI, only mature eggs can be fertilised. Immature eggs cannot be used and are unfortunately not viable for treatment.

Our Recommended Approach

Frozen Embryo Transfer

We typically recommend freezing your embryos and transferring them in a subsequent cycle. Here's why this approach often works better:

The Benefits

Higher success rates: Frozen embryo transfers show 10-15% better outcomes in research studies
Recovery time: Your body has time to recover from hormone stimulation before transfer
Safer: Extensively reduces the risk of ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome (OHSS)
Optimal preparation: We can prepare your womb lining in ideal conditions
Testing options: Allows time for pre-implantation genetic testing (PGT-A) if desired, which can help select the embryo with the best chance of success

How It Works

Your embryos are grown to blastocyst stage (days 5-6) when they're at their strongest, then carefully frozen using vitrification—a rapid freezing technique with a 98-99% survival rate after thawing.

Timeline

Without genetic testing: Transfer occurs in your next fresh cycle, typically 6-8 weeks after egg collection

With genetic testing (PGT-A): Transfer happens 8-10 weeks after egg collection, as results take 2-3 weeks

All embryos are frozen at the blastocyst stage to give you the best possible chance of success.

Common Questions

IVF/ICSI Additional Procedures

What Are IVF Add-Ons?

Add-ons are extra treatments or tests that can be included alongside standard IVF. We only recommend add-ons with strong research evidence or when they're specifically relevant to your situation.

Evidence-Based Add-Ons We Offer

Pre-implantation genetic testing (PGT-A) allows us to screen embryos for chromosomal abnormalities before transfer, helping to select those with the healthiest genetic profile.

Who May Benefit

  • Women aged 37 and over
  • Those who have experienced recurrent miscarriage
  • Couples with specific genetic concerns or a family history of chromosomal conditions

The Evidence

Research shows PGT-A significantly reduces miscarriage rates and may improve pregnancy success rates for certain groups, giving you greater confidence in your treatment journey.

Understanding IVF/ICSI Risks

Risks During Treatment

From hormone stimulations

  • Mood changes, bloating, abdominal discomfort
  • Local pain and swelling from daily injections
  • Some women experience more pronounced emotional effects

During egg collection

  • Very rare risks (5-6 in 1,000): injury to bowel, bladder, or blood vessel; small pelvic hematoma
  • Less than 1% chance of premature egg release before collection
  • Some follicles may be empty (1-2% chance no eggs are retrieved)

After fertilization—the attrition process

  • 50-70% of eggs typically fertilize
  • 5-7% risk that no embryos reach blastocyst stage (varies with age)
  • Not all embryos will be suitable for transfer or freezing

The most significant risk

Treatment failure, which carries emotional and financial impact. We discuss realistic expectations from the start.

Pregnancy Risks

IVF pregnancies carry similar risks to natural pregnancies:

  • Miscarriage rates: same as natural conception (age-related)
  • Preterm birth: similar risk, higher with twins
  • Some evidence babies from fresh transfers may be slightly smaller; extra monitoring offered

We strongly recommend single embryo transfer to avoid twin pregnancy risks.

ICSI Safety

ICSI has been used since 1992 with millions of healthy births worldwide. Research shows:

No increased risk of miscarriage or preterm birth
Early concerns about autism or birth defects have been disproven by large studies
ICSI is considered safe

IUI (Intrauterine Insemination)

What Is IUI?

IUI (intrauterine insemination) is a fertility treatment designed to help you on your journey to parenthood. During IUI, specially prepared sperm is gently placed directly into your womb around the time you ovulate, giving the sperm a helpful head start in reaching the egg.

For women under 35, IUI offers a success rate of 10-15% per cycle.

Who Should Consider IUI?

IUI works best for:

Couples with unexplained infertility
Mild male factor infertility (slightly low sperm count or motility)
Mild endometriosis
PCOS with irregular ovulation
Single women or same-sex couples using donor sperm
Couples wanting a less invasive option before IVF

IUI is not recommended for:

Blocked fallopian tubes
Severe male factor infertility
Long-standing unexplained infertility (over 2 years)

In these cases, IVF will give you much better results.

Before Starting IUI: Tube Testing

Your fallopian tubes must be open for IUI to work. We check this with a HyCoSy scan (ultrasound dye test). This takes 10-15 minutes and is done between days 6-12 of your cycle.

If tubes are blocked, we'll recommend IVF instead.

Natural vs. Stimulated IUI

Natural Cycle IUI (No Medication)

How it works

We track your natural ovulation with scans or ovulation tests. When an egg is ready, we perform the insemination.

Best for

Women with regular, predictable cycles

Success rate

4-10% per cycle

Benefits

No medication, lower cost, no risk of multiple pregnancy

Stimulated IUI (With Medication)

How it works

You take tablets (Clomid or Letrozole) or injections to stimulate 1-3 eggs. We monitor with scans, then inseminate when eggs are mature.

Best for

Irregular cycles, unexplained infertility, PCOS

Success rate

10-15% per cycle

Benefits

Higher success rates, controlled timing

Risks

Small chance of twins (5-10%), cycle may need to be cancelled if too many follicles develop

The IUI Process

Monitoring (Days 8-12)

We track your cycle with ultrasound scans to watch egg development. If using medication, you'll start tablets or injections on day 2-3 of your cycle.

Trigger Injection (Day 12-14)

When eggs are mature, you have a trigger injection to release them. This ensures precise timing.

Insemination (24-36 hours after trigger)

Your partner provides a sperm sample (or donor sperm is thawed). The best quality sperm are selected and "washed." Using a thin, soft catheter, prepared sperm is gently placed into your womb through the cervix. The procedure takes 5-10 minutes and feels similar to a smear test. You may have mild cramping. You rest for 15-20 minutes afterward, then go home.

Pregnancy Test (2 weeks later)

You'll take a blood test to check if the treatment worked.

IUI Risks & Safety

We want you to feel informed and prepared:

Main risks:

Multiple pregnancy (twins)

If medication produces 2-3 eggs, there's a 5-10% chance of twins. If more than 3 follicles develop, we'll cancel the cycle to avoid higher-order multiples (triplets+).

Cancelled cycles

Sometimes ovaries respond too well to medication. Cancelling protects you from high-risk multiple pregnancy. This can be disappointing but your safety comes first.

Lower success rates than IVF

Even in ideal conditions, IUI has lower success rates. Most couples try 3-4 cycles before considering IVF.

Very rare risks:

Infection (less than 1%)

IUI vs. IVF: Which Is Right for You?

Consider IUI first if:

You have open tubes
Sperm quality is normal or mildly reduced
You've been trying for less than 2 years
You want a less invasive, lower-cost option

Move to IVF if:

  • 3-4 IUI cycles have not worked
  • You have blocked tubes or severe male factor
  • You're over 38 (IVF gives better results)
  • Time is a concern

Your consultant will discuss the best approach for your specific situation.

What Happens If IUI Doesn't Work?

Most people try 3-4 IUI cycles before reassessing. If IUI hasn't led to pregnancy, we'll sit down together to discuss:

  • Possible reasons why IUI may not have worked for you
  • Whether small adjustments might help (like medication dosage or timing)
  • Moving forward with IVF for improved success rates

Please remember: IUI not working doesn't mean you can't have a baby, it often simply means a different path will work better for you. We're here to support you every step of the way.