In Vitro Fertilisation (IVF) is a way to treat infertility via assisted reproductive technology (ART). The process has been utilised since 1978, helping couples experiencing issues with fertility to conceive.
Used in conjunction with ICSI (intracytoplasmic sperm injection), eggs are fertilised outside of the body over several weeks. Medical complications with this procedure are rare, and in Australia, Medicare may cover some of the associated costs, making IVF a feasible option for many people.
Dr Joseph Sgroi offers IVF to his patients to help ensure a safe start to the pregnancy journey. Read on to learn more about the process to help decide if it may be suitable for your situation.
The IVF process involves the fertilisation of an egg with sperm, performed in an incubator. The highest quality embryo from this process is then placed back into the uterus to increase the chances of pregnancy.
The decision to undergo IVF should occur after specific steps are taken to avoid it. These include ovulation induction or IUI (intrauterine insemination), two treatments that may be a suitable solution depending on your fertility issue.
A fertility specialist like Dr Joseph will review previous investigations, organise tests and ask questions to outline a management plan suited to the patient’s condition before recommending IVF. Roughly 80-90% of women under the age of 35 conceive within one year of trying; for those over 35, this time frame is six months, at which point you should contact Dr Joseph if you are yet to conceive.
Infertility can also be due to:
An IVF clinic can diagnose infertility via blood tests, biopsies, ovarian reserve testing, imaging studies, laparoscopic evaluation and hysterosalpingography viewing.
Both IVF and ICSI are forms of assisted reproductive treatment (ART) used to fertilise eggs outside of the body. The primary differences between the two are:
ICSI may be recommended when there is no male cause of infertility, but this will not affect the chance of having a baby. The steps involved in IVF and ICSI treatment are similar; however, during the embryo development stage, sperm from the male is added to the eggs in IVF; with ICSI, a single sperm is injected via a microscopic needle into each egg.
Before treatment, Dr Joseph will arrange any necessary investigations to best optimise your fertility. This may include:
For females:
For males:
The steps involved in IVF and ICSI treatment are as follows:
If the test is negative and a decision is made to attempt the process again, frozen embryos can be utilised, avoiding the need to stimulate the ovaries a second time.
When managed by an experienced expert like Dr Joseph, IVF and ICSI are safe procedures that rarely experience complications. However, all medical procedures risk certain health effects that you must consider before undergoing treatment.
For IVF and ICSI, the rare but possible risks include:
It is also important to consider that IVF and ICSI are demanding physical and emotional treatments. Therefore, counselling services are available, and you will receive full support from Dr Joseph and his team to ensure the experience is as positive as possible.
If you are considering IVF or ICSI treatment or have any questions about the procedures, contact Dr Joseph Sgroi. As a well-known obstetrician and gynaecologist, Dr Joseph can assist in all aspects of infertility and IVF treatment.
The first step down the path of IVF treatment is to arrange an appointment with Dr Joseph by calling (03) 9416 1586. Dr Joseph and his team will determine the right path forward for you, supporting you every step of the way.
If you’re planning to wait, trying to conceive or preparing for pregnancy, here are six facts you need to know about fertility: 1. Have
The semen analysis provides an accurate measurement of the number of sperm, motility (proportion of sperm that can swim) and
If you would like to book a consultation, please call on (03) 9416 1586, or click below to contact us.