In Vitro Fertilisation (IVF)

In this process, controlled ovarian hyperstimulation is used. This involves administering medication from day 2-3 of your menstrual cycle to stimulate your ovaries to produce a larger number of follicles. The medication, typically gonadotropins, promotes the growth of multiple follicles simultaneously.

Your response to the medication is closely monitored through regular clinic visits, where ultrasound scans count and measure the developing follicles. Blood tests may also be conducted to monitor hormone levels. The goal is to synchronise the growth of the follicles so that they all reach a size sufficient to contain mature eggs.

Each follicle can contain only one egg. When the majority of follicles have reached the optimal size, usually between 18-20mm, a final maturation injection, often of hCG, is administered to trigger the final maturation of the eggs.

Approximately 36 hours after the injection, the egg retrieval procedure takes place under mild sedation or anesthesia. A thin needle is used to extract the follicles from the ovaries. The retrieved eggs are then combined with fresh sperm in the laboratory, allowing natural fertilisation to occur.

This method increases the chances of obtaining a higher number of mature eggs, leading to more viable embryos for transfer and enhancing the success rates of achieving a pregnancy.