An IVF treatment at the Carl von Linné Clinic is performed in an efficient, easy, safe manner to give each couple the highest chance of conceiving a child. Each IVF treatment must be individual according to the couple’s individual circumstances.

During each menstrual cycle, normally one egg is ovulated. A regulatory system choses this egg from a group of several eggs starting to mature during that cycle.

In order for an IVF treatment to have a high chance of pregnancy, it is preferable to obtain several eggs since not all eggs become fertilized nor do all fertilized eggs develop properly.

Hormones can be given to help the eggs reach full maturation. Normally, several eggs begin maturing but only one is allowed to reach full maturation. By giving  hormones in a little higher levels than are normally found in a menstrual cycle, one can “trick” the body’s regulatory system that normally only allows one egg to reach full maturation into allowing several eggs to mature completely. This is the foundation of IVF.

There are two methods to begin IVF treatment. With the “long” protocol, a woman begins treatment with a nasal spray (Suprecur or Synarela) a week before her expected period. This spray will temporarily turn off the regulatory mechanisms. After about two weeks, she will then begin daily injections (Bemfola, Fostimon, Gonal-F, Menopur or Puregon) which will stimulate the continued development of the follicles and eggs.

The other method to begin an IVF treatment is the ”short” protocol. The patient begins directly with the injection one of the first days of her period. To prevent spontaneous ovulation, a second injection is given (Cetrotide or Orgalutran) after several days. We recommend that both the first and second injection are take in the evening.

The patient takes the injections herself under the skin (subcutaneously). We will be happy to instruct you how to do this. The injection phase of the treatment is usually 8-12 days. During this time, there will be one to three ultrasound examinations. Patients with a long travel distance can often do these examinations at a local gynecologist affiliated with our clinic.

When the follicles appear to be mature and the estrogen levels in the blood are appropriate, the patient will take an ovulation injection (Ovitrell or Pregnyl) in the evening at an exact time specified. It is essential to take the injection at the exact time because the ovulation process begins after the injection. You will be given a time between 8:30 pm – 11:30 pm. The egg removal will be one and a half day later.

Sometimes, if there is a high risk for ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome (OHSS), we will decide NOT to give an ovulation injection. It is then important that you DO NOT take Ovitrelle. If you are on a short protocol, we may instead let you use a nose spray (Synarela or Suprecur) at a given time about 1 1/2 days before the egg retreival. Using spray for ovulation induction can affect the lining of the uterus, so often no fresh embryo is transferred. Instead, alla good quality embryos are frozen and transfer is done in a coming natural or stimulated cycle.

Anne looks for eggsWhen the eggs are mature, they will be retrieved using the vaginal ultrasound. The patient is given a combination of pain killer, sedative and local anaesthetics.

The couple will only need to stay a few hours at the clinic in connection with the egg removal. The woman should not return to work that day. She will not be allowed drive a car for the remainder of the day.

Marina counts the number of spermThe same day the eggs are remove, the man will leave a sperm sample. This can be done at the clinic in a special, private room. If the transport time between home and the clinic is under two hours, it is fine to bring a fresh sample from home with you. We recommend an abstinence period of two to seven days.

The sperm test will be prepared to obtain the most vital sperm. Then, the egg and sperm will be put together in a petri dish (standard IVF). If the sperm count is low or quality poor, microinjection technique (ICSI) will be used to help one sperm into each egg. In uncertain cases, the eggs can be divided into two groups and and standard IVF used in one group and ICSI for the other.

Egg surrounded by cumulus cellsThe eggs are cultured in an incubator. They are placed in a nutritional solution, (medium). The incubator has a temperature, pH and mixture of gases similar to conditions in the fallopian tubes. After 24 hours, the egg is examined to determine if it has been fertilized. Often, dependent on the number fertilized, we will culture the embryos two to five days.

After two days, the embryo will be chosen for transfer if it is to be transferred on day 2. The remainer will either be chosen for cryopreserved day 2 or further cultured three more days to blastocyst for possible cryopreservation (freezing) then. How we determine which embryos are chosen can be found under Science and Results. Please see addition information under blastocyst.

A good quality embryo with four cellsThe embryo(s) chosen to be transferred are drawn up in a thin catheter which is then placed in the womb. Then, the embryo(s) is/are placed in the womb.

If one or two can be transferred is determined by the Carl von Linné’s unique scoring model, which shows which embryo(s) will optimized the chance to become a normally healthy child. (Please read more under Science and Results).

Please plan to be at the clinic for up to an hour on the day of transfer. No painkiller or sedation is needed for this procedure so the woman can return to work and there are no further restrictions afterwords.

After the woman had had one or two embryos transferred to her womb, she will take the final hormone medication as either a daily gel (Crinone) or vaginal suppository (Lutinus) for a couple of weeks. The reason this is given is because progesterone levels are low due to the spray or the ovulation inhibitor injections. Other than this medication, no restrictions are given and the woman can resume life as usual.

Show or get pdf (in Swedish) showing a long (with spray) or short stimulation schedule (with ovulation inhibitor injections). Please click here

Anne demonstrates microinjection technique (ICSI) with spermIVF treatment needs only a few examinations. One can live and work as usual and it is only in connection with the egg retreival that one needs to take a day off work.

Detailed oral and written information will be given when planning your treatment. We treat each couple individually regarding the planning of treatment, dosage, etc. Also, each couple will receive an individual prognosis of their chance of success in IVF.