Treatment Details
- In Vitro Fertilisation (IVF) & associated treatments
- Intra-Uterine Insemination (IUI)
- Frozen Embryo Transfer (FET)
- Egg/Sperm and Embryo Freezing
- Donation
- Surrogacy
In Vitro Fertilisation (IVF):
- Growing, collecting and combining eggs with sperm in the laboratory to create embryos to be transfered to the womb.
- IVF drugs are taken over several weeks to stimulate egg production and prepare the womb to receive embryos
- Eggs are collected by a minor surgical procedure
- Embryos are created in the laboratory and put back in the womb
- Associated treatments.
- ICSI is when a single sperm is injected into a single egg to help fertilisation
- Blastocyst culture is when the embryos are grown for longer in the laboratory during which they undergo critical developmental changes before being returned to the womb
- Assisted hatching is weakening the egg shell to help the embryos hatch before they are put back in the womb
- Surgical sperm retrieval is a minor surgical procedure to harvest sperm from the testicles
- Electro-ejaculation is a minor theatre procedure to overcome problems of erection and ejaculation
Intra-Uterine Insemination (IUI):
- Fertilising eggs by putting prepared sperm in the womb at the time they are released from the ovary.
- IUI drugs are used to stimulate egg production and ovulation and prepare the womb to receive embryos
Frozen Embryo Transfer (FET):
- Replacing thawed frozen embryos in the womb at the optimum time for implantation.
- FET drugs are used to prepare the womb to receive embryos
- Associated treatments.
- Donated embryos are available when both eggs and sperm are required for treatment
- Blastocyst culture is when the embryos are grown for longer in the lab and undergo critical developmental changes before return to the womb
- Assisted hatching is weakening the egg shell to help them hatch before embryos are put back in the womb
Donation:
- Overcoming problem eggs and sperm.
- Thanks to the success of our innovative donation programmes and campaigns we are delighted to be able to say;
- Donated embryos are available when both eggs and sperm are required for treatment
- Donated sperm is available and can be used for IUI and IVF
- Donated eggs are available to be used for IVF
Surrogacy:
- Overcoming problems of the womb and pregnancy.
Embryos can be transferred to the womb of a host who will carry the child to delivery. We offer IVF surrogacy treatment to heterosexual and same sex couples. Surrogacy may be appropriate if you have a medical condition that makes it impossible or dangerous to get pregnant and give birth, or in the case of a same-sex couple where a surrogate host is needed. We were the first clinic to provide this treatment and the first IVF surrogacy baby was born in 1989. We can offer an experienced and supportive team to guide you in this treatment.
It is illegal to advertise for surrogates in the UK and a fertility clinic is not allowed to find a host for you. You may already have a friend or relative who has agreed to be a host and there are a number of agencies working in this area that can help. Surrogacy is a big step and needs careful consideration. Prior to undertaking treatment patients have counselling and we strongly suggest all parties involved take advice, including legal advice from one of the surrogacy support organisations. Details of these are available on the page of our website giving useful contacts.
Egg/Sperm and Embryo Freezing
- We offer comprehensive freezing programmes for eggs, sperm and embryos, which can be an appropriate option for some people, for example prior to cancer treatment or as a life style choice. This is a complex subject and we would be happy to discuss this further with you - please contact us for further information, advice and support.
