As societal norms change and people choose to have children later in life, IVF is becoming an increasingly popular option for hopeful parents to be. Thanks to advancements in fertility treatment, the average IVF pregnancy rate in the UK has more than doubled in the last 30 years. So, how does IVF get you pregnant and what can you expect if you decide to choose IVF?
How does IVF work?
IVF works in the same way as natural fertilisation, only the fertilisation aspect occurs outside your body. An embryologist at your chosen fertility clinic will use the sperm of either your partner or donor to fertilise either your eggs or donor eggs in a lab. After an initial consultation, blood tests, and investigations there are 6 key stages of IVF:
Suppressing the natural cycle: Firstly, you will be given a hormone which suppresses your natural menstrual cycle. This is usually given in the form of a daily injection (which you will be taught to self-administer). The purpose of cycle suppression is to give your fertility doctor finer control over your cycle to allow for the best chance of success.
Hormone stimulation: Next, drugs will be used to stimulate your ovarian follicles, the small fluid filled sacs that are each capable of releasing an egg. This helps your ovaries produce several eggs in a cycle as opposed to the one that would be produced naturally.
Monitoring progress and maturing eggs: You will have regular ultrasound scans to check that everything is looking healthy, and you will be given what is often referred to as a ‘trigger injection’ of hormones to help make sure your eggs are ready for retrieval.
Egg retrieval: Next, comes egg retrieval. This part of the IVF process involves the insertion of a fine needle through the uterus and into the ovaries to remove the eggs. This process is guided by an ultrasound probe to identify follicles and minimise risk. You shouldn’t be in pain during this procedure but you may experience cramping and discomfort afterwards.
Fertilisation: Retrieved eggs are either injected with a single sperm or mixed with sperm for a few days to fertilise naturally. The chosen method depends on the sperm count and sperm health; if the sperm chosen are not ideal they may be injected into the egg using a technique called Intracytoplasmic Sperm Injection (ICSI).
Embryo transfer: Finally, one of the embryos is implanted back into the womb. You will need to wait a couple of weeks before taking a pregnancy test. If an embryo does successfully latch onto the lining of the womb, you will become pregnant!
Are there any risks I should be aware of?
Like most medical procedures, IVF is not completely risk-free. Perhaps the most pronounced risk of IVF is psychological stress; IVF can be physically, emotionally and financially taxing especially if you have already experienced multiple failed cycles. In addition to stress, the risks associated with IVF include:
Complications from egg retrieval: It’s possible that the needle used for egg retrieval can cause damage or infection in the ovaries, bowel, bladder, and uterus. However, as the needle is guided through the vagina with the aid of an ultrasound scan, these complications are rare.
Miscarriage: The rate of miscarriage with IVF is similar to that associated with natural fertilisation, but it should still be noted. The rate of miscarriage increases with age.
Ectopic pregnancy: An ectopic pregnancy occurs when a fertilised egg begins to develop outside the womb, usually in the fallopian tubes, where it is unable to develop into a baby. Research suggests that IVF carries a higher risk of ectopic pregnancy than natural fertilisation.
Multiple pregnancies and birth defects: IVF is associated with a higher risk of becoming pregnant with more than one baby, which leads to higher risk of early labour and delivery and certain birth defects. The average age of IVF patients in the UK was 36 in 2021. A mother over 35 is often considered an older mother, and being an older mother carries an elevated risk of birth defect.
How likely am I to get pregnant from IVF?
There are a number of factors that influence your ability to get pregnant including age, nutrition, weight, lifestyle, and medication. But don’t be alarmed; other than age, no single factor is likely to have an overriding effect on your ability to become pregnant. That being said, it will never hurt to make changes like quitting smoking, drinking less alcohol and finding ways to de-stress in the run up to an IVF cycle.
Given this, how likely are you to get pregnant from IVF? Research suggests that for women under the age of 35, there is a 33% success rate per embryo transferred. The success rate decreases for women over 35 and continues to fall the older you become. Amazingly, in the UK women as old as 48 have become pregnant from IVF! If you are looking for the best fertility clinic in London, you’ll be spoilt for choice! London is home to some of the finest fertility doctors.
Whilst it is very disheartening when IVF fails, remember that you can try IVF again in 4-6 weeks. It is advised that between IVF cycles you allow yourself one normal menstrual cycle to allow your body recovery time, and therefore you can safely try IVF up to four times in a year. Most people, however, are advised to do an average of three IVF cycles in total.
What can I expect when I go to a fertility clinic?
Overall, IVF can be a positive process when you are surrounded by supportive friends, family and caring specialists. Of course, IVF involves a financial and emotional burden; some women seeking IVF may have experienced loss, frustration and low self-esteem. Experts understand the sensitivity of the IVF process and will make every effort to ensure you are comfortable. In fact, many women have reported feeling cared for, safe and understood during the treatment itself with the biggest stressor often being the wait to take a pregnancy test afterwards.
Starting the process of IVF for the first time is a big step. Thankfully, there is no shortage of excellent fertility clinics in the Greater London area, where you will be in safe hands. You can trust your fertility doctor and embryologist to guide you along the journey whilst being sensitive to all your needs and concerns.
