Everything you need to know about IVF

IVF is a general term used for a number of treatments, but they all involve the same principles. Some drugs, by and large, are given to a woman in order to stimulate the ovaries to produce a number of eggs. These eggs are then collected with a procedure called an egg collection, done usually under an aneasthetic, and the eggs are taken to the lab. At that point, sperm is added to the eggs in order to create embryos. A few days later, those embryos are then returned back to the woman, and hopefully, a pregnancy ensues. There are a number of reasons why one might choose IVF as the correct treatment options. It might be that the fallopian tubes, the tubes that connect the ovaries to the womb, are blocked, and therefore, they need to be bypassed with IVF. It might be that there is a problem with the sperm concentration count or normal forms in the ejaculate, which means, then, IVF is required in order to be able to compensate for that. There might be a problem with ovulation. Or, sometimes, simply we just don't know why somebody cannot achieve a pregnancy, in which case, IVF, again, can be used. The first step is to ascertain if IVF is indeed the correct course of action. Once that's been established, then it's important to create a personalised treatment plan that suits the specific situation. As IVF can be quite a complex process, then we take things step by step. One of the steps is to meet the nurse and to be able to go through all the treatment steps that are required, make sure that all questions are answered, and be taught how to do all the medication. Some investigations, at this point, are also required. Throughout the process of IVF, there's also the ability to meet with a counsellor in order to have support. Once everything has been explained and everyone is comfortable with what is planned, then the process of IVF can begin and start with the medications. The ethos of King's Fertility is to put the patient at the heart of what we do. We believe in innovation, and training, and research. But most of all we believe in offering not only the highest chance of success to our patients but also a journey that they can be happy with.