When someone mentions fertility treatment, it’s highly likely your first thought will be of IVF. It’s arguably the most well-known method of trying to achieve pregnancy for those experiencing infertility challenges. However, what do you really know about the treatment in terms of what it involves, what happens if you decide to undergo it and how much it costs?
Courtesy of our experts at Leicester Fertility Centre, the information here has been pulled together for anybody curious about IVF, or for those considering it as a treatment option. We hope it helps you to decide whether it’s an avenue you’d like to explore further.
What is IVF treatment?
IVF, otherwise known as In Vitro-Fertilisation, is the process of fertilising eggs outside of the body.
How does IVF get you pregnant?
To start with, the clinic will need to ‘override’ the body’s natural hormone cycle. This will ensure that the ovaries produce more eggs than they would during a natural monthly cycle, with around 10 to 15 eggs compared to one or two. To do so, the ovaries will be stimulated for 10 to 12 days. The eggs will then be taken (under sedation in theatre) and mixed with sperm under carefully controlled conditions. They will then be incubated overnight to allow fertilisation of the eggs by the sperm through binding. This sperm can be provided either by the male partner or a sperm donor.
The hope is that fertilisation will occur. If it does, the patient will be informed and the fertilised eggs will be kept in the incubator until the next day, when they are checked again to ensure the zygotes (fertilised eggs) have divided and formed embryos. These embryos are cultured until the day selected for transfer, which is normally on day three or day five, when they are placed back inside the uterus to achieve a pregnancy.
Usually, only one or two embryos are placed back inside the uterus depending on quality and medical factors. Any surplus embryos of suitable quality may also be frozen at this stage, for potential use in the future.
If you’d like to read more about IVF, you can do so via our leaflet here.
What is the difference between IVF and ICSI?
ICSI is another treatment option offered by Leicester Fertility Centre and others. It is similar to IVF in that it too involves the stimulation of ovaries to produce eggs. With the ICSI method, however, sperm is injected directly into the egg to achieve fertilisation. This is normally offered for patients who have reduced semen parameters (such as very low density, motility and/or morphology, those with surgically retrieved sperm or those who have previously had low sperm binding or struggled to achieve fertilisation with IVF).
You can read more about ICSI here.
How much does IVF cost?
One of the most common questions among those considering IVF treatment is how much does it cost?
No two fertility centres are the same and no two people are either. Each treatment package will be personalised to the individual, so it is difficult to give an exact cost for IVF. The initial consultation will often dictate the exact pricing of any IVF cost, although drugs packages can vary throughout a cycle.
At Leicester Fertility Centre, we aim to be as transparent as possible with our prices and endeavour to make it easy for you to understand costings, so you know what to expect. That’s why we’ve put together a handy pricing page, showing you the basic average cost of a first-time IVF treatment.
In addition, we have a full price list available here. Leicester Fertility Centre also offers embryo glue and blastocyst culture, time lapse incubation and other innovations at no extra cost.
What is the hardest thing about IVF?
There is not one single aspect of IVF that people find more challenging than another – every couple and their journey is unique, with different external pressures adding to the mix.
However, for many, the emotional and psychological aspects of treatment can be particularly difficult to navigate.
For men, this can take the form of anxiety related to sperm test results, or feelings of helplessness as they watch their partner undergo medical procedures. For both partners, similar feelings can surround the decision to select a sperm donor and in considering who is biologically related to the child.
The physical side-effects of medications and procedures can also take a toll.
Patients and their partners can find the delay between embryo transfer and finding out whether implantation has been successful a time of stress, anxiety and uncertainty. However, the Leicester Fertility Clinic team are always on hand to talk and offer expert support. We also partner with the Fertility Network and other charities able to offer information, tutorials, support groups and other help.
While we all hope that every IVF procedure results in a positive outcome, the reality is that yours may not be successful first time. However, there are often other options available to you, and our team is always happy to advise, assist and talk them through. We will work hard to ensure you feel ready and confident to continue your fertility journey.
If you would like to get in touch with our experts to discuss IVF or other treatment options, you can contact us here.