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In vitro fertilization – IVF

With in vitro fertilization (artificial fertilization), the follicle maturation is stimulated with hormones, then the vagina is punctured and egg cells are extracted under short-term anesthesia. These egg cells are then brought together with the sperm cells in a Petri dish in our embryology lab. In order for fertilization to occur, a sperm cell must independently penetrate the egg cell.

This is checked on the following day. All fertilized egg cells are cultivated in a special nutrient solution in an incubator, and an embryo is painlessly transferred to the uterus (embryo transfer) after three to five days. If implantation is successful, you will be able to celebrate a positive pregnancy test 14 days later.

Intracytoplasmic sperm injection – ICSI

ICSI is a special form of in vitro fertilization that is always used when there are significant restrictions in the quantity, shape, and motility of the sperm cells. A single sperm cell is injected into a mature egg cell under a microscope in our embryology laboratory.

How many egg cells have been fertilized is then evaluated on the following day. All fertilized egg cells are cultivated in a special nutrient solution in an incubator, and an embryo is painlessly transferred to the uterus (embryo transfer) after three to five days. If implantation is successful, you will be able to celebrate a positive pregnancy test 14 days later.

In special cases (e.g. azoospermia – the complete absence of sperm cells in the ejaculate), it is necessary to extract the sperm cells directly from the testes tissue via TESE in order to carry out the ICSI.

Natural cycle IVF

This form of treatment involves in vitro fertilization during the natural, unstimulated cycle of the woman. It is best suited for women whose fertility is restricted by a reduced ovarian reserve. In this case, the egg cell maturation either requires no assistance or only a minimal administration of hormones.

The egg cells are extracted via the vagina, and this procedure generally does not even require anesthesia. Whether the egg cell is fertilized is then checked on the following day. It is cultivated in a special nutrient solution in an incubator, and an embryo is painlessly transferred to the uterus (embryo transfer) after three to five days. If implantation is successful, you will be able to celebrate a positive pregnancy test after 14 days.

What additional measures can increase the chances of pregnancy?

Our Fertility Center offers a variety of additional services for you:

Assisted Hatching

Embryos and blastocysts are contained within a protective sheath called the embryonic membrane. Five to six days after fertilization, the embryo/blastocysts vacate this sheath (hatching) to implant in the endometrium.

Sometimes this membrane is so thick that hatching is difficult. A procedure called assisted hatching can be helpful here. On the day of the embryo transfer, the embryonic membrane is scratched with a medical laser under a microscope to create a predetermined breaking point. This should then facilitate the hatching.

EmbryoGlue®

Adhesion of the embryo to the endometrium is necessary for a pregnancy to begin. To increase the likelihood of implantation, a special medium can be used during the embryo transfer that acts like a glue (EmbryoGlue®). This sticky medium protectively surrounds the embryo and facilitates contact between the embryo and the endometrium.

Preimplantation diagnostics

Preimplanatation diagnostics (PID) refers to a method of genetically analyzing viable cells before they are transferred to the uterus. This is done to identify inheritable diseases and deviations from normal chromosomal numbers, and it is subject to strict legal regulations.

Our Fertility Center currently offers procedures known as polar body diagnosis (PBD) and trophectoderm biopsy (TOBI).

We would be happy to advise you on whether either of these methods is appropriate for you!

Scratching (implantation assistance)

Sometimes it can be helpful to scratch the endometrium in order to stimulate implantation. It is also possible at this time to take a biopsy of the endometrium for a histological examination.

Immunoglobulin infusion

If an abnormality is identified during an immunological investigation, it may be possible to improve the immunological situation by administering immunoglobulin from human plasma. We would be happy to advise you on the benefits and costs.

Relaxation package before embryo transfer

To ensure that you can relax into your much anticipated journey with your embryo, we offer you a unique package of acupuncture, meditation, and calming aromatic oils as you prepare for the embryo transfer. Naturally, these services can also be taken advantage of individually as well.