IVF

In vitro fertilisation means that the fertilisation process takes place outside the womans body. The oocytes are aspirated from the ovaries with ultrasound guidance. A thin needle is inserted into the follicles whereafter the follicle fluid is aspirated and the oocytes fertilised in the laboratory. Some days later, the embryos are transferred back into the uterus.

IVF is undertaken when a woman's fallopian tubes have been damaged (often as a result of pelvic infection) or if she has previously had pregnancies outside the womb (ectopic pregnancies) and has subsequently been unable to become pregnant. We also perform IVF treatment in women who have not become pregnant after 3-6 prior insemination (IUI) treatments.

For women approaching the age of 40 it may be best to start IVF treatment immediately to increase the chance of a pregnancy.

During IVF treatment, mature eggs are aspirated from the ovary and fertilised in the laboratory. Two or three days after fertilisation, one or two of the fertilised eggs (embryos) are transferred to the uterus. If there are several good embryos, they may be frozen for later use (see treatment using frozen embryos).

Where the sperm quality is seriously reduced, it is often necessary to inject the sperm cell directly into the egg to ensure fertilisation of the egg. This is called intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI).

Frozen embryos may be used if you cannot become pregnant with the fresh embryos, and they thus increase the overall pregnancy rate. They also mean that we can reduce the number of hormone stimulations and egg recoveries.

On the day when the fresh embryos are returned to the uterus, the embryologist will assess all embryos. Only embryos of good quality can be frozen and thawed. If there are embryos suitable for freezing, you must complete a declaration concerning the freezing and thawing of embryos. According to Danish law, embryos may be frozen for a maximum of five years or until the womans 46^th birthday.