A yellow and pink shape representing an embryo

IVF treatment

IVF, also known as in vitro fertilisation, is a procedure that can help couples and individuals who are experiencing fertility issues achieve pregnancy and start or expand their families. At Newlife IVF in Melbourne, we offer personalised fertility care tailored to your needs.

How does IVF treatment work?

IVF is designed to overcome infertility by starting a pregnancy outside the womb (i.e. in vitro). Nowadays, it is also commonly used to help single women, unmarried couples and same-sex couples embark on their own journey to parenthood.

For a pregnancy to occur, an egg must be fertilised by a sperm. Naturally, this occurs following unprotected sexual intercourse. However, there are a number of medical conditions and factors that may prevent successful fertilisation.

IVF treatment sidesteps these barriers by fertilising the egg with sperm in a laboratory dish – ‘in vitro’ in Latin means ‘within the glass’. The newly-formed embryo (fertilised egg) is then grown and transferred back into the woman’s uterus (womb), where it will develop for the remainder of the pregnancy.

How do we know if IVF treatment is right for you?

Our fertility specialists will assess your individual circumstances before advising if IVF treatment may help improve your chances of a successful pregnancy. It is important that both partners (where relevant) undergo a formal fertility assessment, so our fertility specialists can determine if IVF is the most appropriate fertility treatment for you.

The IVF process

Egg retrieval

The first step in the IVF process is egg retrieval. Normally, one egg is released from a woman’s ovaries approximately every month. However, for IVF to increase the chances of a successful pregnancy, it helps to collect a number of eggs at one time. This requires stimulation of the ovaries with self-administered hormonal injections for 8–14 days (the ‘stimulation phase’). Towards the end of this phase, we will monitor you more closely so we can time a ‘trigger’ injection to encourage your ovaries to release the eggs it has produced, ready for collection. Egg collection is done in surgery, under sedation. The procedure generally takes 20–30 minutes. On average, 8–12 eggs are collected, depending on a variety of factors, including age and medical conditions.

Sperm preparation

At the same time as the eggs are retrieved, sperm must be collected from the male partner. ‘Fresh’ sperm is self-collected on the day of egg retrieval. Frozen sperm can also be used for the next part of the IVF treatment process, once it has been successfully thawed.

Insemination

Following egg collection and sperm retrieval, egg and sperm are combined ‘in vitro’ in a laboratory dish. This can occur in one of two ways. Normally, we utilise standard insemination — the egg, which sits in a laboratory dish, is exposed to thousands of sperm. The fittest sperm will fertilise the egg and in this sense, the process is ‘natural’. However, if sperm counts are low or there are abnormalities of the sperm, an additional procedure called ICSI (intracytoplasmic sperm injection) may be used. As the name suggests, this procedure involves direct injection of a sperm into the egg with the aim of fertilisation. It is important to note that not all eggs will be successfully fertilised.

Embryo development

If fertilisation is successful, the resulting embryos are grown in an incubator designed to mimic the conditions of the female body. In this incubator, the embryo will divide over the next 5 days, and will then be ready for transfer into the woman’s uterus (this procedure is called an ‘embryo transfer’). Unfortunately, not all embryos will survive to this point. Embryos that successfully reach this stage can be used fresh or they can be frozen for use in a future IVF cycle.

Embryo transfer

Embryo transfer is a simple procedure. Under ultrasound guidance, the embryo is released into the uterus in the hope that it will ‘stick’ and result in a pregnancy. Generally, only one embryo is transferred at a time. Embryo transfer is performed using a long, thin instrument placed through the woman’s vagina and cervix. The process of embryo transfer feels similar to a pap test. There’s no use of anaesthetic, and the woman can promptly resume her day following the procedure.

Blood test

Blood tests allow our fertility specialists to determine if the IVF cycle has been successful and a pregnancy has been achieved. The first pregnancy test is done ten days after the embryo transfer.

What to expect before starting IVF treatment

Prior to commencing IVF treatment with us, there are a number of steps you need to take.

1. Obtain a referral

If you’re concerned about your fertility and would like to seek advice from a fertility specialist, you will need a referral from your GP to attend one of our Melbourne clinics.

2. Attend an appointment

During your initial consultation, we work hard to understand the reasons for your fertility issues and tailor advice specific to your individual situation. This process involves taking a thorough medical history from you, performing relevant examinations and ordering appropriate tests. Our fertility specialists will discuss all available treatment options with you, so you can make an informed decision about whether in vitro fertilisation (IVF) is right for you.
Note: In vitro fertilisation is not always necessary. In some circumstances, improving your chances of falling pregnant could be as straightforward as tracking your ovulation or making some changes to your lifestyle.

3. Start the IVF process (if appropriate)

If it is decided that IVF treatment is appropriate, your fertility specialist will register you with Newlife IVF. At this stage, mandatory tests, such as screening for infectious diseases, will be conducted (if these have not been done previously).

4. Attend required meetings

A compulsory session with one of our counsellors is required before starting IVF treatment. Both partners (if applicable) must attend this meeting. We will also schedule a finance meeting with you to make sure you understand all the costs associated with your treatment. You will also meet with one of our fertility nurses to ensure that you understand the IVF treatment process. Your fertility nurse will take you through all the logistical details of your treatment, including all medications and procedures, such as how to self-administer the hormonal injections required during an IVF cycle. During these meetings, you will have ample opportunity to ask questions. Our fertility nurses have a wealth of experience in IVF and will work with you as an individual or couple to address any concerns you might have about the various procedures involved at different times throughout your IVF cycle. Many women find the idea of injections daunting, so your fertility nurse will pay special attention to helping you feel comfortable with this part of the process.

5. Start IVF treatment

Once all of the above steps have been completed, you’re ready to commence your IVF treatment cycle. The start date of your IVF cycle will coincide with the first day of your next period. Every woman’s monthly cycle is different – your fertility nurse will help you identify your Day 1. This is when you will start to administer your injections to encourage your ovaries to produce more eggs (this is called the stimulation phase).

What happens after your pregnancy is confirmed?

Your fertility specialist will care for you throughout the first 10 weeks of your pregnancy. However, if your fertility specialist also practises obstetrics, you can choose to remain under their care for the duration of your pregnancy. If your fertility specialist does not practise obstetrics, they will arrange a referral to the obstetrician of your choice for ongoing pregnancy care.

Where will I undergo my IVF treatment?

You will self-administer your injections at home. Our state-of-the-art IVF laboratory is located in Box Hill, so any egg collections and embryo transfers will take place here. Your fertility nurse and counselling appointments, as well as cycle monitoring, can also take place at Box Hill or, if you prefer, you can attend one of our satellite service centres in Clayton and East Melbourne for these aspects of your treatment instead. If you have questions at any time throughout your IVF cycle, you can contact us on (03) 8080 8933 or email [email protected].

What is the cost of IVF treatment?

The cost of a standard IVF cycle ranges between $3,900.25 to $5,056.00.* Please visit our IVF fees page for more detailed information.

*Fees correct as of 1 January 2024. Fees quoted represent out-of-pocket costs once Medicare rebate applied.

Frequently asked questions

How long is an IVF cycle?

The length of an IVF cycle is dependent on an individual’s ovulatory pattern and response to the fertility medications used. Generally speaking, one IVF cycle can take anywhere between four to six weeks, encompassing the first day you begin taking IVF medication through to a pregnancy blood test. However, each person’s ovulatory pattern is unique, and this timeframe can be longer.
What are the stages of IVF?
IVF treatment involves:
- Pre-treatment preparation and appointments: This includes consultation with a fertility specialist, counsellor, nurse, and finance teams. Screening tests are completed and consent forms are discussed and completed prior to commencing any treatment.
- Egg retrieval: You are given hormone injections to stimulate your ovaries to produce more eggs than usual. When your eggs are ready for collection, your doctor will provide a trigger injection to encourage the eggs that your ovaries have produced to mature. We then collect your eggs at our purpose-built day surgery in Box Hill, Melbourne. The process takes 15–20 minutes and occurs while you are under light sedation.
- Sperm preparation: If you are using your partner’s sperm to fertilise your egg, a ‘fresh’ semen collection will take place on the same day as egg retrieval. Frozen sperm can also be used once it has been thawed. This includes donor sperm.
- Insemination: The egg is placed in a laboratory dish along with thousands of sperm, where it can be fertilised. However, if sperm testing suggests fertilisation is unlikely to result from natural insemination (or previous cycles were unsuccessful at this step), your doctor may recommend a procedure called ICSI (intracytoplasmic sperm injection) instead. This is where a single sperm is directly injected into the egg, overcoming some barriers to fertilisation.
- Embryo development: The fertilised egg – now an embryo – is placed in a specialised incubator that mimics the conditions of the uterus. Whilst there, it will grow and divide over the next five days.
- Embryo transfer: Following sufficient growth, the best-quality embryo is transferred into the uterus. Embryo transfer is a simple procedure that feels similar to a pap test. Any remaining embryos may be frozen and stored for future use.
- Pregnancy test: A blood test is performed 10–12 days after the embryo transfer to confirm if the IVF cycle has been successful.
What are the success rates of IVF?

The Newlife IVF success rates represented in this graph combined fresh and frozen embryo transfers, resulting in clinical pregnancy and live birth outcomes.
When is IVF treatment recommended?

IVF treatment may be recommended for couples or individuals who have been unable to conceive naturally or with other fertility treatments. It is commonly used for various fertility issues, including blocked fallopian tubes, male factor infertility, ovulation disorders, endometriosis and unexplained infertility.

At Newlife IVF, we believe in providing patients with tailored care. It is best to speak with one of our experienced fertility specialists for customised advice.
What are the risks and side effects of IVF treatment?

Although most IVF cycles proceed without complications, there are risks involved. These risks and side effects may include ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome (OHSS), ectopic pregnancy, discomfort or bleeding after egg retrieval, mild bruising and soreness from prescribed injections, and rare complications related to anaesthesia or the IVF procedure.
How many IVF cycles are typically needed to achieve pregnancy?

The number of IVF cycles needed to achieve pregnancy varies depending on factors such as the cause of infertility, the woman’s age and the quality of embryos produced. It is best to speak with one of our experienced fertility specialists to receive customised advice.
What is the process for embryo transfer during IVF treatment?

Embryo transfer during IVF treatment involves carefully placing an embryo into the woman’s uterus using a thin catheter. The procedure is typically performed a few days after fertilisation (where egg and sperm are combined in a laboratory dish). The transfer is performed under ultrasound guidance and is relatively quick and painless.
Is IVF treatment suitable for everyone with fertility issues?

IVF treatment is suitable for everyone, and other fertility treatments or options may be more appropriate depending on individual circumstances. It’s essential to consult a fertility specialist to discuss your treatment options and determine the most suitable approach for achieving pregnancy.
Does Newlife IVF offer frozen embryo transfers as part of the IVF process?

Yes, Newlife IVF in Melbourne offers both fresh and frozen embryo transfers, and our success rates exceed the national average at every age interval.
Can I drive after my egg collection or embryo transfer procedure?

Egg collection is a day procedure performed with light sedation (anaesthesia). Recovery from anaesthesia is usually quick, allowing you to leave the clinic comfortably. However, driving yourself home is not permitted. Therefore, we recommend bringing a support person with you. As with any sedation, it’s advised to avoid driving for 24 hours after the procedure to ensure the medication has fully worn off.

Embryo transfer, on the other hand, does not require anaesthesia. This simple procedure, similar to a pap smear, takes about 5 minutes while you are awake. You can resume your normal daily activities, including driving, immediately following an embryo transfer.

Get in touch

For more information or to book an appointment with one of our fertility doctors, please call (03) 8080 8933 or email [email protected]. Fertility appointments can also be booked via our online booking page.

Our three Melbourne clinics are based in Box Hill, Clayton and East Melbourne and are open Monday–Friday: 8:00am–5:00pm. We welcome patients from all over Victoria, as well as those seeking care interstate or internationally. All fertility treatment requiring day surgery or lab access (e.g. egg collection, embryo transfer) will take place at our state-of-the-art treatment centre in Box Hill. Fertility consultations and IVF cycle monitoring can be arranged at all three Melbourne clinics.

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