In Vitro Fertilization (IVF) this technique was developed in the United Kingdom by Dr Patrick Steptoe and Dr Robert Edwards. The first IVF baby, Louise Brown, was born in 1978.

IVF refers to a technique of assisted reproduction where the egg and sperm are fertilized outside of the body to form an embryo. This embryo is then transferred to the uterus to hopefully implant and become a pregnancy.

To whom IVF is advised?

There are several groups to whom IVF treatment may be advised that include:

Women with blocked, damaged Fallopian tubes or inoperable tubes or whose tubes have been removed after ectopic pregnancies.

Women with endometriosis.

Women with cervical mucus problems.

Men with infertility problems.

Men or women with immunological infertility problems.

Couples with unexplained infertility.

IVF cycle consists of several steps over an interval of 4-6 weeks and start when a woman begins taking drugs to stimulate her ovaries to produce eggs, monitoring progress by ultrasound scan and blood tests, collecting eggs, collecting man’s sperm, fertilizing the eggs, transferring the embryo and end by the pregnancy test.

In general, there is no apparent reason for IVF failure. However it is useful to consider the following:

If ovarian response was poor - assess ovarian reserve, and increase the dose of FSH for the next cycle or use different stimulation protocol.

If sperm quality was poor or there was a poor fertilization rate - ICSI is recommended.

If endometrial development was suboptimal (too thin or too thick) - investigate the cause and correct before the next cycle.

If embryo transfer was difficult - the cervix can be stretched under a general anaesthestic early in the next treatment cycle. Alternatively transmyometrial embryo transfer or ZIFT may be employed.

If there is significant hydrosalpinx - remove or clip the tubes before next cycle.

If the couple has suffered recurrent failures at IVF (defined as three or more failed IVF cycles) - a full investigation is recommended, particularly assessment of the immune system such as thyroid abnormalities, thrombophilia, increased level of circulating NK cells and elevated Th1:Th2 cytokines ratio. Nevertheless, the role of these abnormalities in recurrent failure of implantation is a matter of debate.

IVF cycle in our clinic can be provided in a natural cycle without any ovarian stimulation.