In vitro fertilisation (IVF)

What is IVF?

In vitro fertilisation (IVF) treatment is one of several techniques available to help couples and individuals struggling to have a baby conceive. During IVF treatment, eggs are collected from the ovaries using ultrasound guidance. The sperm from the partner or a donor are specially prepared and mixed with the eggs in the laboratory to allow fertilisation to occur. After five days in the incubator, one or two of the resulting embryos are transferred to the woman’s uterus through the cervix and hopefully they will then develop as they would in a normal pregnancy.

Is IVF right for me?

IVF treatment may be recommended for women who have been trying to conceive naturally, through regular unprotected sex, for more than a year. In some circumstances, such as other gynaecological conditions or if the female partner is over 35 years old, IVF may be recommended sooner. IVF treatment may also be recommended for:

Women with blocked or damaged fallopian tubes
People with unexplained fertility problems or those who have tried other treatments that were unsuccessful, such as ovulation induction or intrauterine insemination (IUI)
Men with low sperm counts or men with sperm abnormalities
Older women who are less likely to conceive naturally.
Women who have difficulty with ovulation
Women with other fertility problems such as endometriosis
People receiving eggs on the egg donation programme
.

The IVF Journey

For a detailed overview of this treatment, follow a typical IVF Journey here.

IVF success rates in the UK

At TFP, we are proud of our success rates. You can see the success rates of all our clinics seperately on their individual pages, but to give you an overview we have listed the national Live Birth Rate (LBR) as given by the the HFEA, as well as our most recent success rates for comparison.

	National Average*	TFP Clinics*
Under 35	29%	34%
35-37	24%	27%
38-39	17%	21%
40-42	11%	14%
43-44	4%	5%
		*Latest data available

How long does one cycle of IVF take?

The time that IVF treatments take varies from person to person. For most women, one cycle of IVF will take anywhere from four to six weeks. If you have any questions about the length of time IVF treatment will take for you, book a consultation with our specialists today and we can answer any questions you may have.