IVF Treatment
In Vitro Fertilisation (IVF) is one type of Assisted Reproductive Technology (ART) used to treat infertility. At Adora Fertility, every IVF cycle is personalised based on your specific medical needs and your body’s response.
What is IVF?
In simplest terms, IVF is the process where eggs and sperm are combined in a culture dish in a laboratory, before an embryo is transferred into the uterus with the aim of achieving a pregnancy. The IVF process works by supporting several steps of the natural reproductive process, including egg development, sperm preparation, and embryo growth.
IVF treatment is recommended to individuals or couples who have had trouble conceiving naturally. This could be due to fertility issues such as blocked fallopian tubes, low sperm quality, age-related infertility, PMOS, endometriosis or unexplained infertility to name a few.
IVF treatment differs from other fertility treatments such as IUI and ICSI with the main difference related to how the egg is fertilised. With IVF (sometimes referred to as standard IVF), the collected egg and sperm are placed together in a petri dish in the lab. Here the sperm compete to fertilise the egg which mimics natural selection inside the fallopian tubes. There are other methods of fertilisation which include ICSI treatment, also undertaken in a lab, where a single sperm is selected and injected directly into an egg. There is also IUI treatment, where prepared sperm is placed directly into the uterus around the time of ovulation. This places the sperm closer to your fallopian tubes and makes it easier for the sperm to reach an egg because it cuts down on the time and distance it has to travel. This increases your chance of becoming pregnant. Your fertility specialist will work with you to determine the treatment option that suits you best.
At Adora Fertility, we bulk bill the majority of Medicare-eligible expenses for IVF treatment, helping make specialist-led fertility care more affordable for everyone.
The IVF Process Step by Step
At Adora Fertility, the IVF process is supported by our team of fertility specialists, nurses, embryologists, scientists and patient support staff who are here to guide you throughout each step. While treatment plans and timings will differ from person to person, the core steps in the IVF process will remain the same.
Step 1. Ovarian Stimulation
The first step involves the use of medication injections such as follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) to stimulate growth and development of multiple follicles within the ovaries. This step aims to develop more follicles (which contain the eggs) so that we can optimise the number of eggs for collection. This means there is more chance of achieving a healthy embryo to transfer back into the uterus.
Step 2. Monitoring
Throughout ovarian stimulation, regular ultrasounds and blood tests are undertaken to monitor the response of the ovaries. Your response will be closely monitored and your fertility specialist may adjust your medications to control the size and amount of follicles. Once your follicles are ready, you will be advised to take your trigger injection to prepare for egg collection.
Step 3. Egg and Sperm Collection
Egg collection takes place around 36 hours after the trigger injection and will be performed by one of our fertility specialists. At Adora Fertility, this egg collection procedure will take place under heavy sedation in the presence of an anaesthesist with the aim of collecting as many mature eggs from the ovaries as possible. A fine needle is passed through the vaginal wall and into the follicles within the ovary to aspirate the follicular fluid, which may contain an egg. The number of eggs collected will vary and depends on several factors including age, ovarian reserve and your response to ovarian stimulation.
A sperm sample will also be collected, or thawed if using frozen sperm, and prepared.
Step 4. Fertilisation
Eggs and sperm are brought together in a petri dish in the laboratory. The inseminated eggs are then placed in an incubator for 16-18 hours before they are checked for signs of fertilisation.
Step 5. Embryo Culture
Fertilised eggs (now embryos) are kept in the incubator for five days until they reach the blastocyst stage. Their development during this time helps determine which embryo is suitable for transfer.
Step 6. Embryo Transfer
The embryo transfer involves placing the selected embryo into the uterus. This is done using a thin plastic tube called a transfer catheter which is placed through the cervix and into the uterine cavity before gently placing the embryo in the uterus. This is a simple procedure, similar to a pap smear and does not require an anaesthetic. Any other suitable embryos can be frozen for use in subsequent frozen embryo transfer cycles.
Step 7. Pregnancy Test
A blood test is performed approximately 11 days after embryo transfer to determine whether you are pregnant. Many people find this wait the most difficult time to endure. While it can be filled with hope and excitement, it can also be filled with anxiety. We encourage you to keep busy, eat well and stay hydrated. We will let you know when to have the pregnancy blood test and will talk you through the result and next steps.
How Long Does the IVF Process Take?
The IVF process usually takes around four to six weeks per IVF cycle, depending on your treatment plan and whether you're having a fresh or frozen embryo transfer.
Stage | Approximate timing |
|---|---|
| Fertility assessments | Before treatment begins |
| Ovarian stimulation | 10 - 14 days |
| Egg collection | Once the follicles are ready |
| Fertilisation and embryo development | Up to 5 days |
| Embryo transfer | During the same cycle for a fresh transfer, or in a later cycle for a frozen transfer |
| Pregnancy blood test | Around 11 days after embryo transfer |
FAQs
IVF success rates in Australia are strong. However, they still vary from person to person and are influenced by factors such as age, ovarian reserve and egg quality. Embryo quality and sperm quality can also affect the chance of success.
The Australian and New Zealand Assisted Reproduction Database (ANZARD) data reported by UNSW found that 37% of women who started IVF for the first time between 2021 and 2022 had a baby within their first complete IVF cycle. The chance of success increases with multiple cycles, although outcomes vary considerably with female age being the single biggest factor affecting your chances of success.
Your fertility specialist will be able to provide you with the best estimate of your individual chance of success. To understand success rates in more detail, you can also view Adora Fertility’s latest success rates.
IVF costs vary depending on the clinic, your treatment plan and your Medicare eligibility.
At Adora Fertility, a fresh IVF cycle costs approximately $2,450 out of pocket for Medicare-eligible patients. This cost does not include medications or anaesthetist fees, which can vary. If you have private health insurance your costs may be reduced.
Adora bulk bills the majority of Medicare-eligible fertility treatment expenses, keeping out-of-pocket costs lower. When comparing IVF costs between clinics, it is important to check what is included in the quoted price to make a fair comparison.
You can view our current treatment costs for a full breakdown of IVF expenses.
IVF is generally considered a very safe treatment, but like any medical treatment, it carries some risks and side effects which vary from person to person.
Some symptoms and side effects of IVF treatment may include:
- Bloating or cramping during ovarian stimulation
- Spotting after egg collection
- Temporary mood changes caused by fertility medications
Less common complications may include:
- Ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome (OHSS): When the ovaries respond excessively to fertility medication.
- Bleeding, infection or injury: Although very rare, these complications can occur during egg collection.
- Cycle cancellation: In some circumstances, if your body is not responding as expected, an IVF cycle may need to be cancelled.
Your fertility specialist and clinic team will explain the risks associated with your treatment, the symptoms to look out for and who to contact if something is not right.
IVF may be recommended for individuals or couples experiencing infertility. According to Healthdirect Australia, infertility is defined as the inability to fall pregnant after 12 months of regular unprotected intercourse, affecting around one in six couples.
There are several reasons someone may have difficulty conceiving, including blocked fallopian tubes, low sperm quality, ovulation issues, PMOS or endometriosis to name a few. Reduced ovarian reserve and male factor infertility may also affect fertility. Depending on the underlying cause, your fertility specialist may recommend IVF treatment as the most appropriate option for you.
IVF treatment may also be suitable for single women or same-sex female couples using donor sperm. In other cases, IVF may be considered when treatments such as ovulation induction or IUI have not resulted in a pregnancy.
A fertility assessment can help identify possible causes of infertility and determine which treatment options are appropriate for your individual circumstances.
At Adora Fertility, the embryo transfer procedure typically takes place 5 days after egg collection for a fresh IVF or ICSI cycle. If you are using frozen embryos then the transfer takes place in a subsequent cycle of IVF and may happen much later (weeks or months) after your egg collection.
A pregnancy blood test is usually performed around 11 days after embryo transfer. This waiting period is often known as the two-week wait, even though it typically falls short of two weeks. Testing around 11 days after embryo transfer allows time for the pregnancy hormone human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) to reach detectable levels.
Testing for pregnancy earlier is not recommended as hormone levels may not yet be high enough to give an accurate result. We will let you know when to have your blood test and next steps once your result is available.
Your chance of IVF success is influenced by many factors including your age and reproductive health. Egg and embryo quality also play an important role, as does sperm quality.
During IVF treatment, following your medication instructions and attending monitoring appointments as requested, will help our team manage your IVF cycle as planned.
Anything you can do to look after your general health will also impact your reproductive health and give you the best chance of success. Lifestyle choices such as smoking, alcohol and some other lifestyle factors can affect fertility. Your fertility specialist can discuss any changes that may be appropriate for you before or during IVF treatment.
IVF can also be emotionally demanding. If you need additional support during treatment, please reach out to us, request to see one of our fertility counsellors or visit our FAQs for more information.