Generally speaking, an IVF cycle begins around the time of the first few days of your period. It is sometimes necessary to plan ahead by using contraception so that you can be sure of when to start treatment.
In Vitro Fertilisation Clinic in Madrid
In vitro fertilisation is a form of assisted reproduction in which the egg and sperm are brought together outside the body, in a laboratory. Once the egg has been fertilised, the embryos are kept in culture for 3 to 5 days before being transferred to the uterus of the woman undergoing treatment.
Is it possible to guarantee the success of in vitro fertilisation on the first attempt?
The likelihood of achieving pregnancy through in vitro fertilisation increases with each cycle undertaken. Among patients undergoing IVF in Madrid using their own oocytes, approximately 37% achieve pregnancy on the first attempt, whilst this rate rises to 77.5% on the second. Patients who did not achieve pregnancy in the first two cycles and opted for a third achieved a cumulative probability of 92.6%.
IVF treatment step by step
At Fivmadrid, we are specialists in in vitro fertilisation (IVF) clinics in Madrid and Italy, as well as in reproductive health. We know how important it is to have all the information you need before starting treatment. That is why we have outlined the IVF treatment process step by step below:
STEP 1: START OF IN VITRO FERTILISATION
STEP 2: OVARIAN STIMULATION AND ULTRASOUND MONITORING
There is no standard protocol for ovarian stimulation, as each woman requires a personalised treatment plan. However, it usually involves the administration of a drug called gonadotropin, which increases the woman’s egg production.
The patient is monitored using a series of transvaginal ultrasound scans to assess the condition of the ovaries and blood tests to check that hormone levels are adequate. This phase lasts 12 to 15 days and requires 3 to 5 ultrasound scans.
STEP 3: OVARIAN PUNCTURE
Once the required eggs are available, the next step is their retrieval. The oocytes are retrieved by puncturing the follicles transvaginally, under ultrasound guidance and with the aid of medication to ensure that the woman feels no pain or discomfort.
STEP 4: IN VITRO FERTILISATION (IVF)
At this stage, the oocytes and sperm cells fuse. The eggs can be fertilised in two ways:
Traditional in vitro fertilisation (IVF)
The sperm cells are placed in the same culture medium as the eggs, replicating a fertilisation process similar to the natural one in the culture dish.
In vitro fertilisation with ICSI (Intracytoplasmic Sperm Injection)
Our embryologists individually select the highest-quality sperm and inject them one by one into the cytoplasm of each egg.
STEP 5: EMBRYO CULTURE
When the fertilised egg begins to divide, it becomes an embryo. Its development is monitored in real time using time-lapse technology for approximately five days, during which the laboratory will keep you informed of its progress.
STEP 6: EMBRYO TRANSFER AND CRYOPRESERVATION
It is a simple, painless procedure, usually carried out on day 5 of culture (the blastocyst stage), which coincides with the natural stage immediately prior to implantation.
The selected embryo is transferred into the uterus using a fine cannula guided by ultrasound. If any of them successfully implant, they continue to develop and a pregnancy is confirmed.
The process takes between 10 and 20 minutes. Viable embryos that are not transferred are frozen and can be used in future attempts.
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FAQs
Frequently Asked Questions about In Vitro Fertilisation (IVF)
What is IVF with ICSI?
IVF with ICSI (Intracytoplasmic Sperm Injection) is an assisted reproduction technique in which a single sperm is injected directly into the egg to facilitate fertilisation. The resulting embryo is then transferred to the uterus.
What is the step-by-step process?
The treatment consists of several stages: ovarian stimulation, ovarian puncture to retrieve the eggs, fertilisation via ICSI in the laboratory, embryo development and, finally, embryo transfer to the uterus.
Is it a painful procedure?
Ovarian stimulation may cause mild discomfort. Ovarian puncture is carried out under sedation, so it is not painful, and embryo transfer is a simple procedure that is usually painless.
How long does the treatment last?
The full course of treatment usually lasts between 4 and 6 weeks, from the start of stimulation to the pregnancy test.
How many embryos are transferred?
It is generally recommended that a single embryo be transferred, to reduce the risk of a multiple pregnancy, unless there are specific medical reasons to the contrary.
What happens to surplus embryos?
High-quality embryos that are not transferred can be cryopreserved for future attempts, thereby avoiding the need to repeat the entire treatment process from the start.
Are there any risks associated with IVF using ICSI?
Like any medical treatment, it may carry rare risks, such as ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome. Regular medical monitoring helps to minimise and manage these risks.
What advice should I follow after the embryo transfer?
It is recommended that you lead a normal, quiet life and avoid strenuous activity. The medical team will prescribe the necessary medication and answer any questions you may have whilst you wait for the pregnancy test.
Who can I contact if I have any questions during the process?
The medical and nursing team is available to answer any questions or address any concerns you may have throughout your treatment. Please do not hesitate to ask if you have any questions.