IVF (in vitro fertilisation) is one of the most widely used assisted reproduction treatments. In this fertility technique, the egg is retrieved from the ovary and fertilised with sperm in a laboratory before the embryo is transferred to the uterus.
In vitro fertilisation is one of the most popular assisted reproduction treatments.
TREATMENTS
The following types of in vitro fertilisation treatments are available.
The first and third options require the patient’s partner to be involved in part of the process, as a semen sample will be required for fertilisation.
This is the most common option when there are no serious issues with egg or sperm quality. It is indicated in cases of unexplained infertility, mild alterations, or after previous unsuccessful treatments.
This option is recommended when male factor infertility prevents fertilisation with the partner’s sperm. In these cases, the patient’s eggs are used together with sperm from a previously selected donor, increasing the chances of fertilisation in the laboratory.
This option is used when the quality or quantity of the eggs does not allow the use of the patient’s own eggs. It is common in women with low ovarian reserve, advanced reproductive age, or certain medical conditions. The eggs come from a donor and are fertilised with the partner’s sperm.
Double donation is indicated when it is not possible to use either the patient’s eggs or the partner’s sperm. In this case, both gametes come from selected donors, providing a treatment option in cases of complex infertility or when there are genetic risks.
The success rates of in vitro fertilisation can vary depending on several factors, such as the patient’s age, the quality of the eggs and sperm, as well as the technique used in the laboratory. In IVF treatment, IVF-Life has success rates of over 94%, meaning that nine out of ten patients achieve pregnancy. These results improve when IVF is combined with preimplantation genetic testing (PGT), increasing the success rate to 99%.
The purpose of genetic testing is to detect and prevent the transmission of severe genetic or chromosomal diseases to the future baby. For this reason, it is essential to carry out a personalised evaluation of each case in order to determine the most appropriate strategy and optimise the chances of treatment success.
The cost of in vitro fertilisation may vary depending on each patient’s medical needs, as there is no single fixed cost. Factors such as the type of technique recommended, the required medication, preliminary tests, or the use of additional techniques influence the final price of the treatment.
At IVF-Life, we know that every case is unique, which is why the most suitable assisted reproduction treatment will always depend on a personalised medical assessment. Our team of specialists will carefully assess your individual circumstances to recommend the most appropriate option, with an honest, clear, and transparent approach.
Once the study has been completed, we will provide you with a detailed estimate of the cost of in vitro fertilisation, so you have all the necessary information before making a decision. Find out more about our financing options.
In vitro fertilisation (IVF) is an assisted reproduction treatment indicated for women and couples who experience difficulties conceiving naturally or simpler techniques. It is especially recommended in the following cases:
The decision to recommend in vitro fertilisation should always be made after an individualised medical assessment by a specialist, taking into account each patient’s or couple’s cause of infertility, age and reproductive history.
During conventional IVF treatment, the eggs are incubated with the prepared sperm sample in a culture dish so that a sperm cell can fertilise it naturally. This technique is used when the semen sample is of high quality.
With ICSI in vitro fertilisation, the embryologist selects a sperm cell with the best fertilisation capacity and microinjects it into each egg to be fertilised. This technique is used when the semen sample is of poor quality.
Sometimes, when there is a sufficient number of good-quality eggs, embryologists use the split IVF/ICSI technique, in which half of the eggs are fertilised by conventional IVF and the other half by ICSI.
IVF PROCESS
At IVF-Life, ovarian stimulation is carried out following personalised protocols to obtain a sufficient number of eggs that can be successfully fertilised and give rise to an adequate number of embryos to increase the chances of pregnancy.
The stimulation lasts between 8 and 14 days, during which ultrasound scans and blood tests are carried out to check that the patient is responding appropriately to the prescribed medication. Thanks to the medication, the patient's follicles grow progressively until they reach the optimal size for egg retrieval.
When the follicles are of optimal size, ultrasound-guided egg retrieval is performed. It is a minor procedure performed in the operating theatre under light sedation, to minimise discomfort. A few hours after the operation, the patient is able to resume normal daily activities.
During this process, the sperm with the highest fertilisation potential are selected.
The fertilisation of the eggs during IVF treatment is carried out in the IVF-Life laboratory following the guidelines of our team of embryologists, highly experienced professionals. The success of IVF is largely dependent on the quality of the laboratory. That is why we closely monitor embryo culture in the IVF-Life laboratory.
We have technology that continuously monitors embryo development on their development and cell division. They are monitored in incubators with optimal conditions until embryo transfer. This information is vital for selecting the embryo with the highest implantation potential. At IVF-Life we understand the importance of our patients knowing what is happening on a day-to-day basis during their treatment.
We therefore maintain regular communication and they are always informed of the development of their embryos and the steps to be taken during their treatment.
The endometrium is the lining of the uterus that lines the inside of the uterus and its thickness changes during the menstrual cycle.
When it thickens, it is preparing for embryo implantation and this limited period of time is known as the implantation window. Its preparation is a fundamental step in the treatment and may involve hormone treatment to increase its thickness and support successful embryo implantation.
The embryo transfer is a very special moment for patients because it is the moment when the embryo is transferred to the uterus after starting treatment. It is a quick and painless process in which the doctor inserts a cannula through the cervix to deposit the embryo into the patient's uterus. It is performed under ultrasound guidance, so that the procedure can be monitored at all times.
The medical team, together with the patient, will decide how many embryos will be transferred and, where applicable, how many will be thawed on the day of the embryo transfer.
Although the Spanish Fertility Society limits the maximum number of embryos per transfer to three, thanks to our technology, we recommend transferring just one embryo. This helps to reduce the risks associated with multiple pregnancy.
Twelve to fourteen days after the embryo transfer, a blood test will be carried out to determine whether the patient is pregnant. The test will measure the beta-hCG hormone, the levels of which can indicate whether pregnancy has occurred.
A follow-up ultrasound scan will be performed to check that the pregnancy is progressing as expected approximately two weeks after the positive pregnancy test result.
The remaining good-quality embryos are vitrified so that they can be used in a subsequent cycle without the need to repeat ovarian stimulation and follicular puncture.
FIND ANSWERS TO YOUR QUESTIONS
In vitro fertilisation treatment lasts about two months. However, depending on whether additional tests such as endometrial biopsy or preimplantation genetic testing for aneuploidy PGT-A are performed on the embryos, the duration of treatment may vary.
There is no single fixed number of IVF attempts that is appropriate for every patient. The advisability of another cycle depends on factors such as age, ovarian reserve, previous response to stimulation, embryo development, medical history and the results of earlier treatments.
After repeated unsuccessful cycles, the medical team may recommend further investigation or discuss alternatives such as egg donation or embryo donation.
The success rates of in vitro fertilisation (IVF) depend on several factors, particularly the woman’s age, the cause of infertility and the quality of the embryos. At IVF-Life, we achieve success rates of over 94%. When IVF is combined with preimplantation genetic testing (PGT), the success rate can reach up to 99%.
Each patient is a unique case with specific medical needs, which is why the most appropriate assisted reproduction treatment will always depend on a personalised medical evaluation. Our assisted reproduction specialists carefully analyse each situation to recommend the best option, always with an honest and transparent approach.
Once the assessment has been completed, we provide a detailed estimate of the in vitro fertilisation price, so you have all the necessary information before making a decision.
First, the menstrual period must arrive, and a baseline ultrasound should be performed along with the monitoring of baseline hormones (FSH, LH, oestradiol and progesterone).
Depending on the test results, the fertility specialist will determine when the patient should begin ovarian stimulation.
The general recommendation is to avoid intense exercise or high-impact physical activities, especially during ovarian stimulation and after the transfer. However, moderate exercise, such as walking, is generally considered appropriate.
This depends on several factors, such as:
Usually, only one embryo is transferred to avoid multiple pregnancies. In certain cases, two embryos may be transferred if the medical professional deems it necessary.
At IVF-Life we carry out additional tests beyond those required by Spanish legislation in order to select sperm and egg donors to ensure the highest possible safety standards.
Spanish legislation, which allows anonymous egg donation as well as sperm donation, establishes that the donor’s identity must remain anonymous, just as the donor cannot know the identity of the child born as a result of the donation.
IVF-Life is committed to going beyond the minimum requirements of the study and acceptance of donors as established by Spanish legislation, and performs additional tests with the purpose of using donor eggs and sperm to ensure the highest possible level of safety.
PATIENTS
WHAT OUR PATIENTS SAY