Ovulation Induction
Fertility drugs trigger egg production. This is called ovulation induction and different drugs are used to overcome the different conditions which can cause the failure of the ovaries to produce eggs.The most common groupings include drugs which work on the brain, drugs which stimulate the pituitary gland and those which act directly on the ovaries themselves. Other drugs are used to give your consultant greater control on the treatment cycle, such as those which stop the menstrual cycle and those which help to maintain pregnancy.
Intra-Uterine Insemination (IUI)
IUI is a simple fertility treatment with a good track record of success with women whose tubes are healthy and fertile sperm. The chances of conception taking place are increased - by inserting specially washed sperm into the womb around the time the ovaries release an egg. It is usually employed in conjunction with the woman taking fertility drugs. The man's sperm is prepared so that the healthiest specimens can be selected.In Vitro Fertilisation (IVF)
In the UK alone, some 8,000 babies are born every year as a result of this treatment. In Vitro literally means 'in glass' and it explains why these children have come to be known as test tube babies. The woman takes fertility drugs to increase the number of her eggs. Ovarian Stimulation - The purpose of ovarian stimulation is to encourage the ovaries to produce more eggs than usual in a normal monthly cycle. In many treatments this is necessary to maximise success of treatment. There are a number of drugs and combinations of drugs that can be used for this purpose and yours will be selected very specifically for your exact requirements.Before stimulating drugs are used however, you'll be given an injection or nasal spray that allows us to manage your egg production cycle to avoid premature ovulation. Monitoring - You will be closely monitored throughout the period following the administration of ovary stimulating drugs. You will have vaginal ultrasound scans and sometimes blood tests as well, to check the rising levels of oestrogen caused by the developing eggs.
Egg Sharing
This is a way of offering reduced cost IVF treatment to women who are able
to share eggs. This programme is licensed by the Government's Regulartory
Authority.
Intra-Cytoplasmic Sperm Injection (ICSI)
This technique represented a huge step forward in the treatment of male infertility when it was first used in 1992. It is used in a wide variety of situations:- where the sperm count is low; sperm motility is poor ; there is a high percentage of abnormally shaped sperm. It is also used for cases where sperm has been surgically collected from the man eg. because of an obstruction or failed vasectomy reversal. In ICSI a single sperm is injected directly into the centre or cytoplasm of an egg and the embryo is then placed in the womb in exactly the same way as in the IVF treatment. Over 2000 babies a year are now born because of this treatment.Surgical Sperm Recovery
In certain conditions sperm are not present in the ejaculate due to absence or blockage of the tube carrying the sperm from the testes. In these cases, minor surgery can be performed to obtain sperm from the reproductive tract, which is then used for ICSI.Blastocyst Transfer
Recent research has suggested that where embryos are transferred to the womb at the Blastocyst stage (4 to 6 days after insemination, rather than 2 or 3 days after insemination as with conventional IVF), pregnancy rates may be improved. This procedure involves allowing the embryos to develop in the laboratory to the blastocyst stage before placing them in the womb.Assisted Hatching
Assisted Hatching is often used where the woman's eggs have tougher shells than usual. The technique involves making a tiny hole in the shell, before the embryo is placed into the womb.MERC (Multiple Ejaculation Resuspension and Centrifugation test)
This technique has been developed at CARE in order to concentrate small numbers of sperm from multiple semen samples. This procedure may be particularly useful for men with only occasional sperm, and as a trial before embarking on surgical sperm recovery.Reproductive Immunity
The most common reason that IVF doesn't work is the failure of an embryo to implant. We are working with the University of Chicago medical School and other pioneering institutions to identify couples with an immunological reason for recurrent miscarriage or failure to achieve a pregnancy. This work is in its early stages but we are very encouraged that live births are resulting from research undertaken by CARE.Egg Freezing
CARE is one of a few teams in the UK to hold a licence for freezing and thawing human eggs. This may be of benefit to any woman who is facing either the total loss or significant decline in ovarian function, which may have a direct impact on her future fertility potential.Embryo Freezing
Embryos not transferred to the womb may be frozen (cryo-preserved), according to the wishes of the couple. If appropriate, these embryos might be suitable for transfer at a later stage.Sperm Freezing
Sperm can be preserved by freezing and used for treatment at a later time. Sperm can also be frozen prior to vasectomy if required.Egg and Sperm Donation/Embryo Donation
All of the above procedures may be performed using donated eggs or sperm. If necessary embryo donation can be offered. We operate a very successful egg donation programme with specially trained co-ordinators in each centre. CARE have a continuous, proactive approach to recruiting donors.*Whilst we provide all of these treatments within the CARE organisation, some procedures require highly specialised facilities which are only available at certain CARE centres.
