IVF

We will test hormone levels for you and your partner and test for any other factors that may be contributing to infertility (such as hypothyroid in women and presence of infectious diseases in both partners). We will also assess a hormone called Anti-Mullerian Hormone (AMH). This can help us understand your ovarian reserve. Additional information about the types of tests you may have can be found here.

Based on your medical history this might be something your Fertility Specialist recommends.

It’s surprising how often this simple investigation reveals the real reason for difficulties and either allows a natural pregnancy to occur or ensures that an IVF pregnancy has the best chance of becoming established. Typical problems identified are endometriosis or cysts and these may be treated with medication or surgery, depending on the individual situation. We quite often meet new patients who have undergone failed IVF treatment but have not had this investigation first.

Semen analysis informs us about a variety of features of the semen including: the number of sperm present (count), the proportion that are swimming (motility), how well they’re swimming (progression) and what they look like (morphology). This provides vital data to help decide whether you want to continue trying to conceive naturally or will choose IVF. You can read more in our fact sheet.

Where your specialist suspects the possibility of some other problem preventing you from falling pregnant, he or she may recommend ultrasound or other investigative procedures.

Genetic testing of a couple before treatment checks their chromosomes to ensure there is no underlying genetic reason for failure to conceive or for recurrent miscarriages. This is also know as karyotype testing.

The aim of ovarian stimulation is to make the ovaries release more eggs than the single one that is normally released in a woman’s monthly cycle. You will be prescribed artificial versions of follicle stimulating hormones (FSH) and luteinising hormone (LH) to stimulate the ovary to produce multiple eggs. Ultrasound scans will then be used to monitor the growth of egg follicles and, if necessary the dose of your medications will be adjusted. FSH is usually a daily injection that you administer yourself after training by our IVF nurse-coordinators.

When your follicles reach the required diameter, you will take another hormone that prepares the eggs for release and mimics the luteinising hormone surge (LH) that triggers ovulation. This is often referred to as the ‘trigger’. 36 hours later, the eggs will be extracted by our clinician. This procedure is done in hospital under sedation or local anaesthetic and takes about 30 minutes. The eggs are then transferred to a culture medium until insemination with sperm a few hours later.

In the simplest scenario, the man produces a semen sample either in our clinic while the woman is undergoing egg retrieval, or at home if that is within an hour’s travel. If there are reasons why the man will not be able to provide a fresh semen sample on the day, we can freeze a semen sample beforehand. If surgical sperm retrieval is required, this can be scheduled for the same day.

Actively swimming sperm are separated from the semen and a very large number are added to the eggs and are allowed to interact overnight. If the sperm number or quality is not suitable for this standard IVF procedure, a single sperm can be injected directly into each egg in a procedure called intra-cytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI). The day after insemination by IVF or ICSI, the eggs are checked to see if they have fertilised. On average about 70% of eggs will fertilise. It is rare for mature eggs not to fertilise at all (less than 5%). The fertilised eggs are allowed to grow in the laboratory for between 2-6 days over which time the best embryos are identified for transfer to the uterus or for freezing.

Usually Life Fertility transfers embryos on Day 5 at the blastocyst stage. This procedure involves depositing the embryo(s) in the woman’s uterus by passing a catheter (thin plastic tube) through the woman’s cervix. The process only takes a few minutes and does not normally need an anaesthetic. Good quality embryos that are not used can be frozen for a future cycle.

A pregnancy test is arranged 10-12 days after embryo transfer to check if the embryo has successfully implanted. If the test is positive, an ultrasound will be arranged within 2-3 weeks to confirm that the fetus is healthy and a pregnancy care plan will begin.

The best IVF procedures in the world have little chance if you have underlying problems like endometriosis or fibroids. Our laparoscopic investigation and other diagnostic tests can ensure all identifiable barriers to success have been explored.

A ‘blastocyst’ is a human embryo 5-6 days after fertilisation when it is ready to hatch and implant into the uterus. Until about 10 years ago it was not possible to consistently culture embryos to this stage in the laboratory so standard practice in IVF was to place the embryos in the uterus on day 2-3. Many clinics still routinely transfer embryos at this stage. Extending culture to day 5 is routine practice at Life Fertility Clinic. As many human embryos are not destined to reach the blastocyst stage we can be more selective in our choice of embryo for transfer. Read more in our fact sheet.

ICSI is best practice IVF for couples where the number of active sperm available is not ideal. In standard IVF, the eggs and sperm are mixed together in a dish and the sperm fertilises the egg ‘naturally’ – but this requires a large number of active, healthy sperm. With ICSI a single selected sperm is picked up with a fine glass needle and is injected directly into each egg. The first pregnancies following ICSI were reported in 1991 and the first baby was born in 1992. Read more in our fact sheet.

Our Fertility Specialists are amongst Australia’s best and are passionate about constantly enhancing procedures to improve success rates. The experience and skills of those performing procedures are also at the highest level so there is a greater chance of things going really well at every stage.

Our scientists work in close partnership with our Fertility Specialists to assess potential problems and develop new strategies for those who are having difficulty with establishing a successful pregnancy. It’s all about an individualised approach – not off-the-shelf IVF.

We offer you a free counselling session with one of our fertility counsellors for each cycle of IVF. You can even take advantage of this up to four months after your treatment if you find the after-effects catching up on you.  If you are struggling to feel positive about everything, please make the most of this professional help. Additional sessions can be arranged whenever you need them.

Our Life Fertility Clinic Nurse Coordinators are available to discuss any issues experienced as a result of treatment. They are available by appointment or by phoning the clinic. Whether it’s a quick chat to check what you’re feeling is normal or a shoulder to cry on after a setback, it’s good to know there’s someone who understands your situation and has the time to talk things through with you.

Although it can be hard when your mind is on other things, healthy nutrition, moderate exercise and relaxation techniques all help keep you on track. Life Fertility offers a range of complimentary classes and sessions to make sure you are at your best emotionally and physically for coping with the challenges of undergoing fertility treatment. Read more about our current program.

We can provide you with links to other support groups such as ACCESS – Australia’s National Infertility Network. ACCESS is a non-profit organisation committed to being a national voice in promoting the well-being and welfare of infertile couples.