In-Vitro fertilisation (IVF) stands as a beacon of hope for couples facing infertility challenges. It’s an assisted reproductive technique (ART) designed to overcome various fertility obstacles. Unlike natural conception, IVF treatment involves fertilizing the egg outside the body, paving the way for successful embryo implantation.

Step 1: Egg Stimulation

• Initiate ovarian stimulation through hormone injections to produce multiple eggs simultaneously.
• Home-administered injections commence from Day 2 of the menstrual cycle, spanning 10-12 days.

Step 2: Egg Retrieval

• An ultrasound assessment is conducted around Day 8/9 to evaluate egg maturity.
• Egg extraction under anaesthesia is performed as a day surgery procedure, typically taking 20-30 minutes.

Step 3: Fertilization and Embryo Cultivation

• Fertilize collected eggs with sperm in the IVF laboratory.
• Monitor embryo development for 3 to 5 days, discarding abnormal ones.
• Optimal embryos undergo freezing for future transfer into the woman’s womb.

Step 4: Embryo Transfer

• Transfer healthy embryos back into the woman’s womb in a straightforward procedure.

Step 5: Pregnancy Confirmation

• Conduct a pregnancy (blood) test 2 weeks post-embryo transfer to confirm conception.

While IVF success rates typically range between 50-60%, advancements like embryo freezing have bolstered success rates. Age plays a crucial role, yet IVF isn’t exclusive to older women. Younger individuals facing fertility challenges can benefit from IVF’s accelerated conception process.

IVF necessitates emotional resilience and lifestyle modifications. Both partners should emotionally support each other, especially considering the procedure’s emotional toll. Lifestyle adjustments, including diet improvements and stress reduction, contribute to optimal IVF outcomes.

Financial planning is integral to IVF treatment. While costs vary, the average IVF cycle in Singapore falls between $13,000 to $15,000. Singaporeans can utilize Medisave for IVF expenses, subject to withdrawal limits.