THE FAMILY YOU’VE ALWAYS DREAMED OF
IN VITRO FERTILIZATION
In Vitro Fertilization (IVF) is the most common and effective treatment in reproductive medicine. It involves fertilizing eggs with sperm outside the woman’s body. The resulting embryos are then transferred to the mother’s uterus to encourage implantation and initiate pregnancy. This process includes several meticulously coordinated steps. At fivclínic+, we tailor the treatment to your specific needs. The success of our approach lies in the excellence and dedication of our expert team, combined with state-of-the-art technology.
INFERTILITY STUDY AND DIAGNOSIS
Every patient is unique, and so is every treatment at fivclínic+. Our goal is to identify the cause of infertility in the couple and create the most suitable IVF treatment plan. Schedule a consultation today, with no obligation.
ADVANTAGES OF IVF
IVF offers higher pregnancy rates compared to natural conception. It is the most widely used treatment in reproductive medicine and involves fertilizing eggs with sperm outside the woman’s body, followed by the transfer of embryos to promote implantation.
HIGHLY VERSATILE PROCEDURE
IVF is extremely versatile. The eggs can come from the patient herself or from an anonymous donor, while the sperm can be from the partner or a donor.
SINGLE MOTHERHOOD
Advances in IVF have made it possible for women to become mothers without a partner, using assisted reproduction techniques in a safe and effective way.
ROBA METHOD
Same-sex female couples can now share motherhood through the ROBA method, where one woman provides the genetic material, and the other carries the pregnancy.
PREIMPLANTATION GENETIC DIAGNOSIS (PGD)
IVF allows for Preimplantation Genetic Diagnosis (PGD), helping to reduce the risk of passing on genetic diseases to offspring.
HIGH SUCCESS RATES
IVF success rates are consistently higher than those of natural conception, regardless of whether the eggs are from the patient or a donor.
CRYOPRESERVATION
There is scientific evidence that in certain patients it is more convenient to postpone their transfer to a later cycle to promote gestational implantation.
WHEN IS IVF RECOMMENDED?
• After failed artificial inseminations
• In cases of blocked or damaged fallopian tubes
• For older patients
• In the presence of advanced endometriosis
• For severe male infertility (low sperm quality)
• For long-term unexplained infertility
INFERTILITY STUDY AND DIAGNOSIS
At fivclínic+, we conduct personalized infertility evaluations, including the study of recurrent miscarriages, to tailor treatments and optimize outcomes. From your first visit, our goal is clear: to achieve pregnancy.
WHAT IS THE IVF PROCESS?
1. CONTROLLED OVARIAN STIMULATION
To maximize pregnancy chances, we aim to increase the number of mature oocytes and obtain a sufficient number of embryos, allowing us to select the highest quality ones for transfer.
Ovarian stimulation involves hormonal treatment to promote the growth of multiple follicles, ensuring that the oocytes inside them mature. We monitor the process through ultrasound scans and hormone level tests. There are different stimulation protocols, and choosing the right one depends on factors like the woman’s age, ovarian reserve, and medical history.
2. EGG RETRIEVAL (OVARIAN PUNCTURE)
Once the oocytes are mature, they are retrieved vaginally under ultrasound guidance. The procedure is painless, performed under local anesthesia and mild sedation. It takes about 15 minutes and does not require hospitalization, stitches, or general anesthesia.
The retrieved oocytes are kept in an incubator under optimal conditions until they are ready for fertilization.
3. SPERM PREPARATION
On the same day as the egg retrieval, a semen sample is required from the male partner. Alternatively, a previously cryopreserved sample or a sample from a sperm bank can be used.
Regardless of the source, the semen is processed in the laboratory to optimize the sperm’s fertilizing potential.
4. LABORATORY FERTILIZATION
In the embryology laboratory, fertilization occurs by combining the oocyte with the sperm sample, either through conventional IVF or using Intracytoplasmic Sperm Injection (ICSI). ICSI involves selecting a single sperm and injecting it directly into the oocyte using a fine needle, a technique that is especially beneficial in cases of male infertility.
ICSI is commonly used in most treatments to optimize fertilization outcomes. Approximately 70% to 80% of mature oocytes are successfully fertilized in either procedure.
5. EMBRYO CULTURE
Following fertilization, the developing embryos are cultured in incubators with a specialized medium that provides the necessary nutrients for their growth. After 17-20 hours, the embryos are evaluated, and any abnormal fertilizations are excluded.
Patients are updated on the fertilization results, and if appropriate, the embryo transfer is scheduled. This transfer typically occurs between two and five days after the oocyte retrieval.
6. EMBRYO TRANSFER
Embryo transfer is a critical step in the IVF process. It involves placing one or more selected embryos into the mother’s uterus under ultrasound guidance. The culture medium containing the embryo is gently deposited inside the uterus. This is a short, painless procedure.
The number of embryos transferred depends on various factors, including the woman’s age, the cause and duration of infertility, previous pregnancies, and particularly the number and quality of the embryos. The maximum legal limit for embryo transfer is three.
7. PREGNANCY CONFIRMATION TEST
Thirteen to fourteen days after starting progesterone, we schedule a blood test to confirm pregnancy. This test measures the level of beta-hCG, a hormone produced by the embryo that is passed on to the mother.
8. FOLLOW-UP ULTRASOUND
If the pregnancy test is positive, an ultrasound is performed about two weeks later. Performing it earlier could lead to confusion or uncertainty, as early ultrasounds often yield inconclusive results.
WHEN IS EMBRYO CRYOPRESERVATION NECESSARY?
Traditionally, embryos resulting from IVF were transferred during the same stimulation cycle. However, recent scientific evidence suggests that, in certain cases, delaying the transfer to a later cycle may enhance implantation success. In such cases, embryo freezing or cryopreservation is recommended.
ADVANTAGES OF CRYOPRESERVATION
• Increased Success Rates: If pregnancy is not achieved after a fresh transfer, cryopreserved embryos offer additional opportunities for success in subsequent cycles.
• Future Pregnancies: Cryopreservation facilitates additional pregnancies without the need for repeat hormonal stimulation if the initial IVF cycle was successful and the patient seeks to expand their family.
• Flexibility: If unforeseen contraindications arise, cryopreservation allows for the preservation of embryos until the patient is ready for transfer.
THE CRYOPRESERVATION PROCESS
Embryo cryopreservation, or vitrification, is the most commonly used freezing technique in assisted reproduction. This method involves rapid freezing to prevent ice crystals from forming, which could damage the cells. Vitrification boasts high survival and viability rates for cells. However, not all embryos are suitable for cryopreservation; only those of sufficient quality are frozen.
This technique has significantly improved outcomes for embryo transfer during thawing cycles in recent years.
HOW IS THE TRANSFER OF CRYOPRESERVED EMBRYOS PERFORMED?
In the case of transferring previously frozen embryos, the first step is to thaw and evaluate them. Although there is some variability, it is estimated that around 90% of thawed embryos will be in good condition for transfer. Once rehydrated, they are placed in a culture medium until the time of transfer, which can be performed in two ways:
TRANSFER OF FROZEN EMBRYOS IN A NATURAL CYCLE
The transfer can be done during a natural cycle, timed to coincide with ovulation. The main advantage of this procedure is that it can be performed without medication, simply monitoring the woman’s natural cycle and timing the embryo transfer for the optimal moment.
TRANSFER OF FROZEN EMBRYOS IN A SUPPORTED CYCLE
The supported or “artificial” cycle involves performing the cryotransfer after optimizing endometrial receptivity (the inner lining of the uterus) through the administration of estrogen and progesterone. This approach is recommended for anovulatory patients, those with irregular cycles, or those without ovarian function. It may also be beneficial for certain normoovulatory patients.
WHY CHOOSE FIVCLÍNIC+?
PROVEN EXPERIENCE
We offer you access to a team of reproductive medicine specialists with over 30 years of experience. Our commitment to biomedical research and scientific evidence forms the foundation of our clinical excellence, driving innovation that directly benefits patients.
EXCEPTIONAL PREGNANCY RATES
Our success rates are approximately 65% with patients’ own eggs and 80% with donor eggs. Achieving these outcomes involves conducting a thorough fertility study and personalized diagnosis to tailor treatments to each individual case.
PIONEERS IN INNOVATIVE TREATMENTS
As part of Clínic Barcelona, a leading center in research, development, and innovation, we participate in cutting-edge research studies and publish our results in top scientific journals. Our clear objective is to enhance the effectiveness of reproductive techniques.
STATE-OF-THE-ART FACILITIES AND CUTTING-EDGE LABORATORY
We feature the latest technological advancements, such as ICSI and real-time embryo monitoring, allowing you to follow every step of your treatment. We work with the new reproduction laboratory of Clínic Barcelona, which is newly established and equipped with state-of-the-art technology.
PERSONALIZED AND CLOSE ATTENTION = SATISFIED PATIENTS
Every patient is unique, and our team’s involvement reflects that. We guarantee personalized and compassionate care to support you throughout your journey to motherhood, addressing any needs that arise along the way. The patient surveys we’ve conducted over the years affirm the quality of our service and the professionalism of our team. Your time, comfort, and safety are our top priorities, and we strive to meet your expectations with a high level of satisfaction.
CALL US OR, IF YOU PREFER, LEAVE US YOUR CONTACT NUMBER AND WE WILL CALL YOU
+34 93 227 57 44
