In vitro fertilisation
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How IVF is performed
The IVF technique was developed in the 1970s. It may differ slightly from clinic to clinic but a typical treatment is as follows.
For women
Step one: suppressing the natural monthly cycle
You are given a drug that will suppress your natural menstrual cycle. This is given either as a daily injection (which you’ll be taught to give yourself) or as a nasal spray. You continue this for about two weeks.
Step two: boosting the egg supply
Once your natural cycle is suppressed, you take a fertility hormone called FSH (follicle stimulating hormone). These fertility hormones are known as gonadotrophins. This is another daily injection that you give yourself, usually for about 12 days, but it can vary depending on your response.
FSH increases the number of eggs your ovaries produce. This means that more eggs can be collected and fertilised. With more fertilised eggs, the clinic has a greater choice of embryos to use in your treatment.
Step three: checking on progre...
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