Understand your options.
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01 / FERTILITY ASSESSMENT

Understanding infertility

Infertility is generally defined as not achieving a pregnancy after at least 12 months of regular unprotected intercourse. It may involve female factors, male factors, a combination, or an unexplained cause. Difficulty conceiving after a previous pregnancy is also a reason to seek advice.

Possible factors include ovulation problems, blocked fallopian tubes, conditions affecting the uterus, and difficulties with sperm production or function. Assessment considers both partners where relevant.

What may an assessment involve?

Your clinician may review menstrual and reproductive history, previous treatments and general health, then recommend appropriate tests. These may include semen analysis, ultrasound, selected hormone tests and assessment of the fallopian tubes. The right investigations depend on your history.

02 / IN VITRO FERTILISATION

IVF, explained

IVF involves collecting eggs and fertilising them with sperm in a laboratory. An embryo may then be transferred into the uterus. It may be considered for blocked tubes, some sperm-related difficulties or other circumstances following assessment.

1. Planning and assessmentReview investigations, treatment suitability, risks and costs.
2. Ovarian stimulationMedication and monitoring support egg development.
3. Egg collection and fertilisationEggs are collected and fertilisation is attempted in the laboratory.
4. Embryo development and transferEmbryos are assessed and a suitable transfer plan is discussed.
5. Pregnancy test and follow-upTest on the date advised by your clinical team.

Plans vary; some involve freezing embryos before a later transfer. IVF does not guarantee pregnancy or a live birth. Age, diagnosis and other clinical factors influence outcomes. Risks include ovarian hyperstimulation, multiple pregnancy and ectopic pregnancy; your team should explain these before treatment.

03 / A FERTILISATION TECHNIQUE WITHIN IVF

What is ICSI?

Intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) involves injecting a single sperm directly into an egg in the laboratory. It can be considered for some sperm-related fertility difficulties, surgically retrieved sperm or previous poor fertilisation.

ICSI is not automatically better than conventional IVF for everyone. It does not guarantee fertilisation, embryo development or pregnancy. Your clinician and embryology team can explain why it may or may not be appropriate for you.

04 / OTHER OPTIONS TO DISCUSS

Treatment depends on your needs.

Ovulation treatment

When ovulation is irregular or absent, an assessment can help identify the cause. Your clinician may discuss appropriate treatment and monitoring.

Intrauterine insemination (IUI)

IUI places prepared sperm into the uterus around the time of ovulation. It is suitable for selected circumstances and is different from IVF: fertilisation takes place inside the body. Your clinician will assess whether it is appropriate.

Fertility preservation

Egg or sperm freezing may be considered for future reproductive plans or before treatments that could affect fertility. Egg freezing involves stimulation, egg collection and storage. Later use requires fertility treatment, and freezing does not guarantee a future baby.

Donor treatment

Donor eggs or sperm may be discussed in selected situations. Decisions require careful consideration of screening, consent, counselling and applicable requirements.

Embryo genetic testing

Different tests address different questions. PGT-A assesses embryo chromosome number; it does not screen for every genetic condition or guarantee a healthy baby. PGT-M relates to specific inherited conditions. Discuss limitations, risks, costs and the evidence for any proposed test.

These sections explain treatment options, rather than confirm availability of every procedure at Lilyfields. Please ask the team about current services and suitability for your circumstances.