FERTILISATION IN A LABORATORY

The artificial fertilisation technique that helps parents overcome natural barriers to conception

1 INCREASING EGG SUPPLY

Hormones are administered which suppress the natural menstrual cycle. These are followed by fertility hormones that boost egg production by the ovaries.

2 COLLECTION AND FERTILISATION

Eggs are collected using a needle inserted into each ovary and fertilised with sperm by either mixing or directly injecting the sperm into the egg.

3 EMBRYO DEVELOPMENT

The embryo is stored in an incubator and begins to divide. Many clinics wait until the cell has divided into a blastocyst before implantation.

4 GENETIC SCREENING

DNA from a single or small number of cells is removed from the embryo and tested for abnormalities.

5 CRYOPRESERVATION

Healthy embryos that will not be implanted immediately can be frozen and stored safely for years for later implantation.

6 EMBRYO TRANSFER

The embryo is implanted in the uterus using a flexible tube called a catheter, which is carefully guided into place using an ultrasound scan.