What is IVF, how does it work and can the treatment be done on the NHS?
The process can use eggs and sperm from the couple themselves, or these can be sourced from a donor
ONE OF the techniques used to help couples with fertility problems who are struggling to have a baby is in vitro fertilisation (IVF).
But what does process involve and who qualifies for the treatment on the NHS? We've got the details you need...
What is IVF?
The process involves removing an egg from a woman’s ovaries and fertilising them using sperm in a laboratory.
The fertilised egg, also known as an embryo, is transferred back into a woman’s womb to grow.
The process can use eggs and sperm from the couple themselves, or these can be sourced from a donor.
How does IVF work?
There are six main stages of IVF:
- Firstly the menstrual cycle will be suppressed with medication
- You will be given further medication to encourage your ovaries to produce more eggs
- Ultrasound scans will be given to check the development of your eggs and medication can be used to help the maturing process
- The eggs will be collected by a needle being inserted into the ovaries via the vagina
- Eggs are mixed with sperm for a few days so they can be fertilised
- One or two of the fertilised embryos will be placed back into the womb. Women need to wait two weeks before taking a pregnancy test to see if the process has been successful.
Who can have IVF?
The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) recommends in its fertility guidelines that IVF should be offered to:
- women under 43 years of age who have been trying to get pregnant through regular unprotected sex for two years
- women who have had 12 cycles of artificial insemination
Those who have been recommended by NICE for NHS-funded IVF in England will then have to be approved by local Clinical Commissioning Groups (CCGs) who can have stricter criteria.
These requirements can include:
- not having any children already, from both your current and any previous relationships
- being a healthy weight
- not smoking
- falling into a certain age range (for example, some CCGs only fund treatment for women under 35)
If a woman doesn’t qualify for IVF on the NHS, treatment is available at a private clinic.
How much does IVF cost?
Costs can vary depending on the clinic, but one cycle can be up to £5,000 or more.
There may be additional costs for medicines, consultations and tests.
You can contact some private clinics without seeing your GP first, but some require a referral.
What's the success rate for in vitro fertilisation?
The success rate can depend on a number of factors, including the age of the woman and the cause of their infertility (if it has been determined).
The younger the woman, the more likely it is that IVF will be successful, and factors such as avoiding alcohol, caffeine and smoking can improve your chances too.
In 2010, the percentage of women who had IVF and later had a live birth were:
- 32.2 per cent for women under 35
- 27.7 per cent for women aged 35-37
- 20.8 per cent for women aged 38-39
- 13.6 per cent for women aged 40-42
- 5 per cent for women aged 43-44
- 1.9 per cent for women aged over 44
But the method doesn’t always guarantee results, with a woman in Russia admitting she swapped her husband’s sperm for her lover’s.
Yana Anokhina admitted she swapped the sperm of her husband, Maxim Anokhin, for that of a ‘man she loved’.
The 38-year-old allegedly did it with help of staff from the clinic in Moscow.
The treatment resulted in a son, Timofey, who Maxim believed was his biological son after paying for IVF treatment.
Maxim sued the clinic and was awarded £4,600 compensation.
Can you freeze your eggs?
Some women freeze their eggs for later use because they have a medical condition or need to undergo treatment that may affect their fertility.
Freezing eggs can preserve fertility by making sure healthy, younger eggs are available for IVF treatment when required.
What are the risks of IVF?
Going through the process of IVF can be both physically and emotionally draining for couples, and often counselling is advised to help provide support.
Some women experience side effects like headaches and hot flushes from medication using during the treatment.
In a number of cases, women can end up having twins or triplets due to IVF, which can be dangerous for the mother and babies.
There is also the risk of ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome (OHSS), where too many eggs develop in the ovaries.
Ectopic pregnancies can happen too, which is when the embryo develops in the fallopian tubes instead of the womb.
Can you have sex after having IVF?
A study from a leading fertility centre found over two thirds of women confessed they completely stopped having sex after embryo insertion due to being scared that sexual activity could harm their chances of a successful pregnancy.
The study of 200 couples at IVF Cube found 63 per cent experiencing a drop in the quality of their sex lives and intimacy in their relationship.
The centre's fertility expert Dr Hana Visnova is calling on couples to ignore "old wives tale" advice to avoid sex after embryo insertion and to enjoy sex fully during the whole process of IVF treatment.
She said: “There’s still so much taboo when it comes to IVF and sex.
“It’s not hard to find online fertility forums devoted to the subject, and often filled with conflicting advice, which only serves to add to the confusion and misinformation.
“The important thing to remember is that sexual activity cannot harm an embryo.”
Meanwhile Dr Robert King, lecturer in applied psychology, suggested that the female orgasm can increase fertility by up to 15 per cent.