IVF and ICSI Treatment

In vitro fertilisation (IVF) and intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) techniques offer many couples or individuals their best chance of pregnancy. We may recommend these treatments to tackle a range of fertility issues, including sperm abnormality, a range of gynaecological conditions such as endometriosis, damage to the fallopian tubes, unsuccessful ovulation induction and unexplained infertility.

TasIVF is behind 1 in 23 births in Tasmania, the majority conceived via IVF or ICSI.

Enquire Today

What is IVF?

In Vitro Fertilisation (IVF) involves placing eggs removed from the ovary by egg collection, with many sperm to facilitate fertilisation and embryo development in the laboratory.

Egg collection refers to the process by which eggs are collected from the ovaries. For Hobart patients undergoing Standard IVF, the process requires around 30 minutes of day surgery under anaesthetic, and you’ll need someone to drive you home afterwards – don’t plan to work the rest of the day.

On the morning of your egg collection, your partner will need to provide a fresh semen (sperm) sample (unless using frozen sperm) so we can bring the egg and sperm together for fertilisation.

What is ICSI?

Intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) involves a TasIVF embryologist injecting a single sperm into an egg, initiating the fertilisation process and enabling an embryo to develop before being transferred to the uterus.

What is the cost of IVF?

For more information on costs involved, visit our Fees page.

Embryo Development

The fertilised embryos then develop in the laboratory over two to six days. TasIVF will tailor your treatment to suit your individual needs. In some instances Day 2 or Day 3 (cleavage) embryos will be transferred. In some instances Day 5 or Day 6 (blastocyst) embryos are transferred.

Embryo Transfer

Embryo Transfer is a simple procedure where we return the embryo to the uterus, passing a very fine tube containing the embryo through the cervix and into the uterine cavity. It’s a procedure similar to a pap smear, performed by one of our fertility specialists. It doesn’t normally require an anaesthetic.

Usually one embryo at a time is transferred with additional embryos stored by freezing for use in subsequent treatment cycles if necessary.

Getting IVF underway with TasIVF

To begin your uniquely tailored program of IVF, you’ll require a referral from your GP or gynaecologist.

At first, it might seem like an overwhelming barrage of information, appointments, dates and things happening. But part of the TasIVF service is to help you manage the process, especially when there are lots of things on your mind.

Informed every step of the way

TasIVF will keep you fully up to date throughout your treatment, with information and explanations from your treating fertility specialist and our excellent team of nurses, scientists and counsellors. TasIVF staff will talk you through everything and provide written details for you to refer back to later. 

If IVF treatment is recommended as the best approach to pregnancy, your fertility specialist will talk you through the processes involved in IVF, and all aspects of your individual treatment including a full explanation of the risks involved and typical success rates. A second consultation will focus on the finer points of your treatment plan. 

After your initial consultation with your fertility specialist an appointment is made for an information session with the clinic nursing staff. This covers the day-to-day aspects of your treatment, such as pre-treatment blood tests, semen analysis, IVF cycle management, medications, and procedural information. This is your chance to meet the experts who will guide and support you throughout your treatment, ask any questions, and sign the required consent forms.

Before we begin IVF, though, there are some simple tests we must complete, which include:

  • Blood tests:
    • Male – for HIV, Hepatitis B and C. If using ICSI, we also do a Karotype test.
    • Female – for HIV, Hepatitis B and C, blood group, syphilis, rubella and varicella
  • Semen analysis and immunobead testing.

Next steps

If you have any questions regarding the IVF & ICSI process with a TasIVF, please contact us.

Learn more about the IVF journey at TasIVF with the Big Miracles documentary.