All couples who come to Monash IVF are given an individual treatment program according to the causes of their infertility. Specific treatment options will be discussed on an individual basis.
Key steps in a typical program may include:
Follicle stimulation
Follicles are tiny sacs on the ovaries that contain the eggs. By giving you injections, nasal sprays or tablets, we increase the number of follicles that "ripen" each menstrual cycle. This enables us to collect and fertilise several eggs, thereby giving you a better chance of achieving a pregnancy.
Timing your ovulation
Through blood tests and ultrasound we monitor the growth of your follicles. When they are "mature", an injection of hCG will be prescribed. This injection stimulates the eggs to be released.
Egg collection
About one and a half days after the hCG injection, we collect the eggs by inserting a fine needle into the ripe follicles and aspirating the contents. The needle is passed through the vaginal wall to the follicles using ultrasound guidance. Only a light anaesthetic is required.
Semen sample
Around the time your eggs are collected, your partner will need to produce a semen sample.
Fertilisation procedure
If you are having standard IVF treatment, your eggs are mixed with the sperm in a culture dish. If you are having ICSI (intra cytoplasmic sperm injection) one sperm is injected directly into the cytoplasm of each egg. Following fertilisation, up to two embryos will be transferred to your uterus using a fine catheter.
Pregnancy test results
Once the embryos (or eggs and sperm in the case of GIFT) have been transferred, you can resume normal activities. About 16 days later, Monash IVF will take a blood test to see if you are pregnant. If you are not pregnant, we will review your cycle and discuss plans for future treatment.