In Vitro Fertilisation
What is In Vitro Fertilisation?
IVF involves retrieving eggs from a female’s ovaries to join them together with spermatozoids in the laboratory.
Once the eggs have been fertilised, a limited number of embryos will be transferred to the female’s uterus where they can continue to develop naturally. In some cases, In Vitro Fertilisation may require the use of donor sperm.
When is In Vitro Fertilisation indicated?
With sperm from the spouse or partner:
- Previous unsuccessful Artificial Insemination cycles.
- Unexplained infertility.
- Absence of or damaged fallopian tubes, or endometriosis.
- Low sperm count/low sperm motility.
- Ovulation disorders and/or immune issues.
- Advanced maternal age and the need to carry out Pre Implantation Genetic Diagnosis.
With donor sperm:
- Severe male factor infertility.
- Previous unsuccessful cycles using partner sperm.
- Single females.
- Same-sex female couples.
- Advanced maternal age and the need to carry out Pre Implantation Genetic Diagnosis.
In Vitro Fertilisation Procedure
A complete In Vitro Fertilisation treatment includes three difference phases. First is the ovarian stimulation, then the egg retrieval and embryo culture, and finally the embryo transfer and pregnancy test.
PHASE I: OVARIAN STIMULATION
IVF generally begins with hormone treatment to guarantee the development of several follicles. We need more than one egg to work in the laboratory and to obtain an acceptable number of embryos. This phase usually lasts between ten and twelve days depending on the protocol and the female’s response to treatment. The patient is monitored with ultrasound scans and hormone testing.
PHASE II: EGG RETRIEVAL AND EMBRYO CULTURE
Once there are an appropriate number of follicles which have reached the ideal size, we will schedule the egg collection to retrieve the eggs from the female’s ovaries. This procedure is performed in the operating theatre under sedation and ultrasound guidance. It lasts approximately 15 minutes and the patient can go home about 3 hours later.
The sperm sample is processed in order to select the best spermatozoids. The eggs are inseminated by Classic IVF or sperm microinjection (ICSI), which involves injecting one spermatozoid into the cytoplasm of a mature egg. The next day we will be able to determine the number of fertilised eggs, or pre embryos. The embryos will remain in conventional or EmbryoScope incubators for three to five days.
PHASE III: EMBRYO TRANSFER AND PREGNANCY TEST
The embryo transfer involves placing the best embryos inside the uterine cavity. It is a painless, outpatient procedure that does not require sedation or hospitalisation. It is carried out in the operating theatre and lasts about ten minutes. Following the procedure the patient will continue taking hormone treatment to favour the viability of a possible pregnancy.
In the event that the patient has additional, good quality embryos, they will be vitrified (frozen), and transferred in a future cycle without needing to undergo another ovarian stimulation and egg retrieval process. The pregnancy test can be performed 16 days after the egg retrieval has taken place.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is first-time success possible with in vitro fertilization?
Generally speaking, the probability of pregnancy with in vitro fertilization (i.e., the success rate with this technique) exceeds 50% on the first attempt. However, the percentage will largely depend on each couple’s diagnosis and the woman’s age. If we consider the cumulative rate, the figures rise to an 80% probability of pregnancy. The cumulative rate comes from considering the gestation rate of fresh embryos and the transfer of frozen embryos obtained in the same in vitro fertilization treatment.
Does in vitro fertilization hurt?
In vitro fertilization treatment is generally not painful, although it can occasionally cause discomfort of varying degrees. Ovarian stimulation may cause some discomfort related to hormonal medication (bloating and abdominal pain, breast tenderness, mood swings, etc.). Ovarian puncture does not cause any pain, as it is a surgical procedure performed under sedation. After ovarian puncture, you may experience some discomfort, although this does not occur in all patients (abdominal pain and/or minor bleeding).
Is in vitro fertilization possible for people over 50?
The law does not require an age limit for this type of treatment. However, among assisted reproduction centers (members of the Spanish Fertility Society), there is a tacit agreement not to perform this type of assisted reproduction technique on women over 50. The main reason for not performing it is the risks involved, both for the patient and the fetus.
How long does the in vitro fertilization process take?
This treatment, like other assisted reproduction treatments, is performed during a menstrual cycle. Ovarian stimulation begins with your period and lasts approximately 8 to 12 days. Ovarian puncture is then performed, and embryo transfer takes place 5 days later. This leaves the total process lasting between 16 and 18 days. Some treatments require prior preparation. At URE Centro Gutenberg, we recommend requesting information and consulting a professional to learn more about these procedures.
What is the difference between in vitro fertilization and artificial insemination?
Artificial insemination is a fairly simple and minimally invasive technique, sometimes requiring no medication at all, as it can take advantage of a woman’s natural cycle. Fertilization occurs inside the woman and is a cost-effective treatment that is ideal for young couples without significant reproductive problems. In vitro fertilization, however, is a somewhat more complex technique than artificial insemination, but it has better success rates. Treatment begins with ovarian stimulation through the administration of hormonal medication, and fertilization occurs in the laboratory, with the fertilized embryos being introduced into the woman’s uterus five days later.
What is the price of in vitro fertilization?
In our Assisted Reproduction Unit, a full-cycle IVF-ICSI treatment costs €4,300. You can check out what’s included on our pricing and financing page.
Clinical Results
Our excellent results are our guarantee and our best calling card. We contribute to the Spanish Fertility Society’s registry by submitting the results of all our assisted reproduction techniques every year.
Furthermore, at our clinic, the pregnancy rate we publish is confirmed by an initial ultrasound scan, during which we verify the presence of a gestational sac. What does this mean? It means we go one step further: our excellent results are confirmed by a pregnancy ultrasound scan.
View our most recent clinical results.
More info
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