IVF is the technique of mixing the women's eggs with sperm from her partner in small dish or test-tube in the laboratory to allow
fertilization to occur. Eggs are collected from the ovary by suction through a fine needle. The needle will be inserted into ovary through the vagina using the ultrasound picture as a guide. Patient has a choice of full general anesthesia (GA) or sedation, depending on patient current health status and medical history. This procedure hopes to obtain at least three eggs but usually larger numbers is obtained. A fresh sperm sample is needed for IVF so that the sperm are of good quality. After collection the eggs will be put in incubator for a short time. A relatively small number of sperm are then added to each eggs and then be kept in the incubator for about two days.Hospital will monitor daily and will advise when to attend for embryo replacement.

Once the eggs are fertilized (at this stage known as embryo), one or more embryos are placed into the woman's womb through the cervix. The aim is to produce multiple mature follicles to enhance the chance of fertilization and pregnancy.

After IVF further injections or peccaries may be needed to support the lining of the womb. Patient can do a pregnancy test about two weeks after egg collection in their home country. If positive, a scan will be performed in five weeks after eggs collection to confirm that is a good pregnancy and make sure a baby is growing. Miscarriages can occur in any pregnancy but there is also no increased or decreased risk after IVF. There is a small chance about seven percent that the pregnancy may stick in the tube (entopic pregnancy). If this occurs an operation is required to remove the pregnancy and possibly the tube as well.

Below is a short outline of the steps involved in IVF, these include:

• Pre-treatment evaluation
• Stimulation of the ovaries
• Monitoring of egg development
• Egg collection
• Sperm preparation
• Fertilization
• Embryo transfer
• Pregnancy test and scan

Who are suitable candidates for IVF?

• Patient who has failed other treatment
• Patient who has bilateral blocked tubes
• Patient who has unknown factors
• Patient who has all types of sub fertility

Pros for IVF:

• Higher success rate between 30-37%

Cons for IVF:

• Costly
• Complicated procedure
• Daily injections
• Time consuming