IVF

The preparation stage of IVF involves completing all relevant consent forms and preparing for ovarian stimulation and egg collection treatment. 

At this stage, you will receive a link via email to our online consent form portal to access all the relevant HFEA consent forms and clinic consent forms. You can withdraw or alter your form/s at any time — before, during or after your treatment. 

At your hour-long consultation, your nurse will cover the following:

• An ID check
• A discussion about your personalised medication and treatment plan
• Witnessing your consent forms 

Please ask for a copy of your consent forms.

Any medications you need as part of your treatment are not included in the treatment package. These will needed to be ordered separately. Please follow the storage instructions carefully, as some drugs need to be refrigerated.

The next step is stimulating the ovaries to produce mature eggs for collection. 

Most patients will self-administer injections to stimulate the ovaries for around 12 days. All the drugs used for IVF treatment are administered subcutaneously, i.e., under the skin. 

The eggs are collected under sedation. The egg collection is a relatively non-invasive procedure and carries minimal risks. You may bring a friend or relative, although this is not mandatory. You must, however, have someone collect you after the procedure and stay with you for 24 hours post-procedure.

After the mature eggs are collected, they will be mixed with your partner’s sperm or a donor’s to fertilise them. 

In some cases, you might be recommended to do an additional type of IVF treatment called Intracytoplasmic Sperm Injection (ICSI). This technique is when sperm is injected directly into the egg. It is typically suggested when the sperm is not optimal due to low count, motility or morphology. 

You will get regular updates on the progress of the embryos. Typically, five to six days after the egg collection procedure, the best-quality embryo will be transferred into the uterine cavity under ultrasound guidance. The use of progesterone supplements supports the luteal phase.

On the day of the embryo transfer, the embryologist will assess the remaining embryos. Embryos that are of high quality will be put in storage for future use. 

A pregnancy test is performed two weeks after the embryo transfer to confirm successful implantation.

One IVF cycle takes approximately four weeks. This time estimate includes the two-week waiting period after the embryo transfer before you can take a pregnancy test. 

The time frames will vary based on how your body reacts to the various stages of the IVF treatment.  

The 2021 live birth rates for IVF at IVF Matters are 65% (for all age groups). The most recent available data from the HFEA is from 2019, with a national average of just under 30%. 

Success rates vary depending on many factors, most notably the woman's age and the reason or reasons for infertility. The woman's age at the time of treatment and the quality of the eggs and sperm determines the embryo’s ability to develop. Women who have previously given birth are more likely to get pregnant using IVF. 

Success rates are lower for women who have had multiple cycles of IVF treatment but didn’t get pregnant and those with severe endometriosis. 

Lifestyle also plays a vital role in determining success. Smoking, high alcohol consumption, obesity, increased caffeine intake and exposure to toxins can lower the quality of the gametes and reduce the chances of a successful outcome.

IVF is generally very safe, and most women do not experience any problems with their health or pregnancy, but as with any medical procedure, there are some risks to be aware of. 

Most commonly, you might experience side effects from fertility medications. These are typically short-lived but can include hot flushes, irritability, headaches, bloating and irritation/bruising in the injection site.

Ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome (OHSS) is a complication of fertility drugs taken to increase egg production. It sometimes affects young women with very active ovaries. Most times, this is a mild condition that can be treated at home, but more moderate or severe cases require immediate medical attention.

Other risks of IVF pregnancies include:

• Multiple births 
• Ectopic pregnancy
• Birth defects (these are rare, and research is ongoing to determine if problems result from the fertility treatment or because of an age or fertility issue with the parents).

Getting IVF on the NHS is possible, but you must meet specific criteria. The fertility guidelines by the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) recommend a set of criteria for IVF funding. However, decisions are made locally by your integrated care board (ICB), and they might have different criteria. 

The NICE guidelines recommend that women under the age of 43 who have been trying to get pregnant through regular unprotected sex for two years should be offered IVF. It should also be made available to women who have had 12 cycles of artificial insemination, with at least six of these cycles done by intrauterine insemination (IUI). 

We understand that fertility issues are often time-sensitive and that it can be frustrating to wait for fertility services to be offered on the NHS. 

At IVF Matters, our fertility services are open to everyone. We see many individuals and couples looking for support whilst on NHS waiting lists — providing quick, accessible and affordable fertility care for all.

Below is a list of commonly used medications for IVF treatment. You may be on some of them. Please refer to your personalised treatment plan to see which medication is prescribed for you.

• GnRH antagonist – eg Inj Cetrotide subcutaneous injections

This drug is used to help prevent premature ovulation prior to egg retrieval. It is given as a subcutaneous injection once daily, usually from day 6 of the cycle during the stimulation phase of treatment, until the day of the trigger injection.

• GnRH agonist – eg Buserelin nasal spray or subcutaneous injections

This drug “switches off” hormone production within the body during treatment. The most common way to administer this drug is via a nasal spray, one sniff into each nostril four times daily. It can also be given in the form of a subcutaneous injection once a day. It is usually started from day 21 of your cycle in the month preceding treatment. Your doctor will inform you when to stop taking it. GnRH agonists may also be used to mature the eggs prior to egg collection, as a trigger injection in those who are on GnRH antagonists. One may experience menopausal symptoms such as vaginal dryness and hot flushes whilst taking this medication.

• Inj FSH – eg Inj Meriofert, Inj Gonal F subcutaneous injections

These injections are used for ovarian stimulation. They are given as subcutaneous injections for around 9 to 12 days. They aim to stimulate the growth of the follicles in the ovaries that contain the eggs, so that several eggs are produced. They should be administered at roughly the same time every day.

• Inj Growth Hormone – eg Inj Zomacton subcutaneous injections

This drug is given to help improve the response to ovarian stimulation. It is given as subcutaneous injection on alternate days during the stimulation phase of treatment.

• Inj hCG – eg Inj Ovitrelle, Inj Gonasi subcutaneous injections

This is also called the trigger injection. It is an hormone that matures the eggs prior to egg collection. These are subcutaneous injections, although some brands may need to be taken as an intramuscular injection. These injections need to be given at a specific time (usually 36-37 hours before egg collection). Your doctor will let you know the date and time your injection should be administered.

• Progesterone – eg Crinone, Cyclogest, Inj Lubion, Inj Prontogest

Progesterone supplements are used in the luteal phase ie the phase post egg collection to support the uterine lining.

The age of the woman at the time of treatment and the quality of the eggs and sperm determines the embryo’s ability to develop. Women who have previously given birth are more likely to get pregnant using IVF. Success rates are lower for women who have had multiple cycles of IVF treatment but didn't get pregnant and those who have severe endometriosis. Lifestyle plays an important role in determining success. Smoking, high alcohol consumption, obesity, increased caffeine intake and exposure to toxins can lower the quality of the gametes and reduce the chances of a successful outcome.