In Vitro Fertilization (IVF)
Our goal is to provide timely and effective IVF treatment with attentive care in a supportive environment.
What is IVF?
IVF is a complex process that involves several stages. It begins with the female partner taking medication to stimulate her ovaries to produce more eggs than usual. These eggs are then carefully monitored through blood tests and ultrasounds before being collected.
Once collected, the eggs are placed in a petri dish with sperm from the partner to allow natural fertilization, creating embryos. After fertilization, the egg is closely monitored for healthy cell division.
When the embryo develops into a blastocyst, usually within 3 to 5 days, it can either be transferred back into the woman’s uterus or frozen for future use. The blastocyst is the stage when it would naturally enter the uterus during pregnancy.
If multiple viable embryos are produced, you have the option to freeze them for potential future cycles. This means that even if the first cycle is not successful, you may still have viable embryos for future attempts.
In the IVF Laboratory
Intracytoplasmic Sperm Injection (ICSI)
It may be performed as an additional part of an IVF treatment cycle. In this method, a single sperm is directly injected into an egg using precise micromanipulation equipment immediately after egg collection.
Intracytoplasmic Morphologically-Selected Sperm Injection (IMSI)
Men with very low sperm quality, including problems with the size and shape of sperm, have a higher chance of miscarriage and lower chances of getting their partner pregnant, even when using ICSI treatment.
IMSI is then used to improve the chances of fertilisation. This method enlarges sperm images more than six times better than regular ICSI, allowing doctors to see the sperm in detail—over 1,200 times its actual size, compared to 200 to 400 times for standard ICSI.
Using these enlarged images, the embryologist can choose the best sperm based on size and shape to inject into the egg.
Assisted Hatching
The technique uses a laser to thin the egg’s outer shell to help implantation. If the embryo can ‘hatch’ out of the shell easily, it may have a better chance of implanting inside the uterus.
Step-by-step process
Below is a typical patient journey through IVF(SG)
Time commitment
If you are ready to undergo IVF, you and your partner should be prepared to prioritize this treatment above all other commitments. While a single cycle may take 4-6 weeks, you might need to undergo several cycles before you successfully get pregnant. Plus, it would help to have adequate time to rest after each IVF cycle to optimize the chances of conception.
Preparing yourself mentally and emotionally for IVF
Emotional well-being plays a key role in your fertility, so starting IVF with a positive attitude is important. Lean on your partner, friends, or family for support, and don’t hesitate to ask for help.
Staying realistic is essential—IVF success may not come in the first cycle. Understand that you and your partner might handle emotional stress differently; it doesn’t mean they aren’t supportive if they seem less responsive. Honest communication helps maintain a strong relationship.
If your partner finds it challenging to cope with the emotion or keep up with clinic appointments, always have a friend or family who can step in and be there for you.
Finally, avoid setting a personal timeline for IVF success, as this can add unnecessary stress. Focus on each step and remember that even if your first cycle doesn’t succeed, both you and your doctor will learn valuable information to adjust future treatments.
