In vitro fertilization (IVF) is a process by which an egg is fertilized by sperm outside the body. It literally means “fertilization in glass”. Once fertilized, the embryos are monitored and transferred back into the uterus at the correct time. IVF is generally considered when there is:

• longstanding infertility

• blocked fallopian tubes

• evidence of endometriosis

• unexplained infertility

IVF fertility treatment is divided into the following stages:

• Investigation and assessment

• Ovarian stimulation

• Egg collection

• Fertilization

• Embryology and embryo transfer