In vitro fertilisation, or IVF, is a widely used fertility treatment that’s been helping individuals and couples build their families for the past 50 years.
IVF can support individuals or couples experiencing infertility, same‑sex couples, single people, and those with medical conditions such as blocked fallopian tubes, endometriosis, or male factor infertility.
Backed by the innovation and reproductive technology of Genea Fertility, Dr Ritu ensures you feel genuinely supported, confident, and informed with clear, personalised guidance as you embark on your journey to parenthood.
On average, around 20,000 babies are born through ART treatments in Australia and New Zealand annually. Success rates vary and are influenced by factors such as:
The process normally involves six steps and is conducted at Dr Ritu’s rooms and the Genea Fertility lab. One cycle spans about 4-6 weeks from the start of ovarian stimulation to the pregnancy test after embryo transfer.
IVF usually begins with hormone medications, typically self-administered by injection, to encourage the ovaries to produce multiple eggs. You’ll be closely monitored with blood tests and ultrasounds so your treatment can be carefully tracked and timed.
Once the eggs are ready, they are collected from the ovaries in a minor procedure, usually performed under general anaesthesia. Recovery takes a day or two, with some women reporting mild bloating or cramping for a few days afterwards.
At Genea’s laboratory, the eggs are combined with sperm from your partner or a donor in a carefully controlled environment by expert embryologists. If male infertility is a factor and the sperm does not perform optimally, ICSI can be used, where a single sperm is injected directly into a healthy egg.
The fertilised eggs develop into embryos over several days. The Genea embryology team will track their growth and quality day by day in the lead-up to transfer.
When ready, the healthiest embryo is selected and transferred into your uterus. If you would like to consider PGT, each embryo will have a small number of cells biopsied for genetic analysis once they reach day 5-6 of development to help inform the selection. The embryo transfer procedure is quick, does not require surgery, and is often described as feeling similar to a pap smear/cervical screening test.
Once transferred, the embryo may take 1-2 days to implant into the uterine lining, and your body may begin producing pregnancy hormones. After approximately 12-14 days, a blood test is taken for the most reliable result. This wait can be stressful for some people, but Dr Ritu will be a steady source of support through this time.
While generally considered safe, like any medical procedure, IVF does carry some physical, emotional, and financial risks.
Physical risks are linked to fertility medications, the egg retrieval process, and outcomes such as premature birth and low birthweight that can be more common with IVF. Requiring multiple cycles may also pose emotional and financial challenges.
Your fertility profile, carefully pieced together by Dr Ritu, will shape your IVF journey. She will guide you through every step, including what you need to do to get started and how best to prepare for IVF based on your individual needs.
This may include reviewing your medical history, discussing lifestyle factors, and suggesting adjustments that can support your overall health, such as improving nutrition and reducing or avoiding smoking and alcohol.
