IVF - Dr Danielle Robson

In Vitro Fertilisation (IVF) is a common form of assisted reproductive technologies whereby eggs and sperm are combined in a laboratory to create an embryo.

Prior to starting IVF

Starting IVF can be an overwhelming process and daunting for some patients at first. However, most of the time patients handle an IVF cycle really well and it is all about being prepared.

01

It will start with an initial consultation with a fertility specialist where a full history, examination and assessment of your specific circumstances will be undertaken.

02

Often some preliminary tests will need to be  arranged and this can include a pelvic ultrasound, blood tests, genetic tests and sperm analysis.

03

Should IVF be the appropriate pathway for your circumstances, a treatment plan will be submitted and a nursing appointment will be made where they will teach you how to use the hormone injections and discuss the frequency and nature of the monitoring.

Did you know?

Louise Brown was the first ever IVF baby was born, in 1978. Since that time there have been millions of babies born via IVF around the world.

What’s involved in the IVF?

Grow the eggs

The actual process of IVF typically involves a daily hormone injection, called follicle stimulating hormone.
This injection helps grow the follicles on your ovaries, which hopefully contain eggs.
You then need to take a second medication that prevents ovulation, this is referred to as an agonist or antagonist. This is often also an injection.
Whilst on these medication we will monitor the progress of the cycle with regular blood tests and pelvic ultrasounds.
During a cycle you will get regular updates from your nursing team regarding the progress of your hormones and how your follicles are growing.

Collecting the eggs

The egg collection involves a 15-20min procedure. This can be performed with a patient awake with some pain relief or with light sedation.
You will need someone to drop you off and take you home and you go home the same day as the procedure.
To collect the eggs, we utilise a transvaginal ultrasound with a small needle on the end of the ultrasound probe.
This needle is inserted into the vagina, through the ovary and each of the follicles that has been grown is drained.
This follicular fluid is then examined under a microscope by a scientist and the eggs are identified and collected.

IVF Fertilisation & Implantation

Once eggs have been collected they are combined with the sperm in the lab with either traditional IVF or intra-cytoplasmic sperm injection.
You will receive an update on your embryo development on day 1, 3 and 5.
We transfer a day 5 fresh embryo if you are suitable for implantation that month.
If there are additional embryos or a transfer is not appropriate, embryos will be frozen on day 5 or biopsied for genetic testing prior to being frozen.

Book an appointment

Dr Danielle Robson, Fertility Specialist, consults at three locations across Sydney: the CBD, Chatswood, and Manly. A referral from a General Practitioner is required for all initial appointments.

Book today by calling 1300 330 279 or click the button below.

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What is IVF treatment?