In vitro fertilisation (IVF) is the most well-known and effective fertility treatment available. Understanding how it works, the steps involved and realistic expectations helps you approach the process with confidence.
What is IVF?
IVF is a process where eggs are retrieved from the ovaries, fertilised with sperm in a laboratory, and the resulting embryo(s) are transferred back to the uterus. Unlike IUI, fertilisation happens outside the body, which allows specialists to overcome many barriers to natural conception — blocked tubes, severe male factor infertility, unexplained infertility and more. Since the first IVF baby was born in 1978, more than 12 million children worldwide have been born using the technique. Modern IVF includes advanced add-ons such as ICSI (direct sperm injection), genetic testing of embryos and frozen embryo transfer.
The IVF Process Step by Step
Pre-cycle workup: Blood tests, scans and infectious disease screening to plan your protocol (1-2 months)
Ovarian stimulation: 10-14 days of daily hormone injections to develop multiple eggs simultaneously
Monitoring: 4-6 ultrasound and blood test appointments to track follicle growth and adjust dosing
Trigger injection: Final injection given 36 hours before egg collection to mature the eggs
Egg retrieval: 20-30 minute procedure under sedation to collect eggs from each follicle
Fertilisation: Eggs and sperm are combined in the lab (conventional IVF) or sperm is injected into each egg (ICSI)
Embryo culture: Embryos grow in the lab for 3-5 days, monitored for development
Embryo transfer: 1-2 embryos are placed in the uterus using a thin catheter — quick and painless
Two-week wait: Hormone support (progesterone) continues until pregnancy test 10-14 days later
Who is IVF For?
Couples with blocked or damaged fallopian tubes
Male factor infertility (low count, motility or morphology) — usually combined with ICSI
Severe endometriosis affecting fertility
Unexplained infertility after other treatments have failed
Women with diminished ovarian reserve
Couples carrying genetic conditions wanting to test embryos before transfer (PGT-M)
Same-sex couples and single individuals using donor gametes
Patients with previous failed fertility treatments
IVF Success Rates by Age
Success rates vary primarily by age and underlying diagnosis. Using your own eggs, average live birth rates per embryo transfer in the UK are roughly: under 35 around 32%, age 35-37 around 25%, age 38-39 around 19%, age 40-42 around 11%, age 43-44 around 5%, and 45 and over around 2%. Donor egg cycles achieve 40-50% per transfer regardless of recipient age. Cumulative success across multiple cycles is significantly higher — roughly 60-70% by the third cycle for women under 35. Success also depends on sperm quality, embryo quality and uterine factors.
Costs and Funding
A single IVF cycle in the UK private sector typically costs £5,000-£8,000 plus medication (£800-£2,000). In the US, costs range from $12,000-$25,000 per cycle. Add-ons (ICSI, PGT, freezing) increase the cost. NHS funding is available in many UK regions but eligibility varies and is increasingly restricted. Many countries offer some form of public funding or insurance coverage. Multi-cycle packages and shared-risk programmes are available at some clinics. Always ask for a complete breakdown of costs including medication, freezing and storage.
Educational information, not medical advice. For advice about your own situation, talk to your doctor.