ART
& IVF

At MIGYNAE, we are dedicated to supporting couples and individuals on their journey to parenthood, offering a range of advanced treatments tailored to diverse needs.

Assisted Reproductive Technology (ART) and In Vitro Fertilisation (IVF) are among the most effective treatments available for overcoming fertility challenges. Our experienced team is here to provide personalised, compassionate care, using the latest technologies to help you achieve your dream of having a baby.

What is Assisted Reproductive Technology (ART)?

Assisted Reproductive Technology encompasses various medical procedures used to address infertility. These techniques assist in the fertilisation of eggs, implantation, and ultimately, pregnancy.

ART includes methods such as IVF, intrauterine insemination (IUI), and other advanced reproductive techniques.

IUI involves placing prepared sperm directly into the uterus during ovulation, increasing the chances of fertilisation.

  • Who Benefits? Individuals or couples with mild male factor infertility, unexplained infertility, or those using donor sperm.
  • Process: Timed ovulation monitoring, sperm preparation, and placement in the uterus through a catheter.

Donor insemination uses sperm from a donor to achieve pregnancy. It is a valuable option for:

  • Single individuals or same-sex couples.
  • Couples where male infertility prevents the use of partner sperm.
  • Those looking to avoid genetic conditions.

In Vitro Fertilisation is one of the most common and effective forms of ART. IVF involves combining eggs and sperm outside the body in a laboratory dish to create embryos. The embryos are then transferred to the uterus with the hope of achieving a successful pregnancy.

The IVF Proces

  1. Ovarian Stimulation:
    • Overview: Fertility medications are prescribed to stimulate the ovaries to produce multiple eggs.
    • Procedure: Regular monitoring through blood tests and ultrasounds ensures optimal follicle development.
  2. Egg Retrieval:
    • Overview: Once the eggs are mature, a minor surgical procedure is performed to retrieve them.
    • Procedure: Under sedation, a thin needle is used to collect the eggs from the ovaries.
  3. Fertilisation:
    • Overview: The retrieved eggs are combined with sperm in a laboratory.
    • Procedure: Fertilisation occurs either through conventional insemination or intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI), where a single sperm is injected directly into an egg.
  4. Embryo Culture:
    • Overview: Fertilised eggs develop into embryos over the next few days.
    • Procedure: Embryologists monitor the embryos for optimal growth and development.
  5. Embryo Transfer:
    • Overview: The best-quality embryos are selected for transfer into the uterus.
    • Procedure: A thin catheter is used to place the embryos into the uterine cavity, typically without the need for anaesthesia.
  6. Pregnancy Test:
    • Overview: About two weeks after the embryo transfer, a blood test is performed to determine if pregnancy has been achieved.

Who Can Benefit from IVF?

IVF is recommended for a variety of fertility issues, including:

  • Tubal Factor Infertility: Blocked or damaged fallopian tubes.
  • Male Factor Infertility: Low sperm count or poor sperm motility.
  • Endometriosis: Endometrial tissue growth outside the uterus affecting fertility.
  • Unexplained Infertility: When the cause of infertility is unknown.
  • Ovulation Disorders: Problems with ovulation, such as polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS).
  • Age-Related Infertility: Decreased fertility due to age.

Advantages of IVF

  • High Success Rates: IVF has a high success rate, particularly for women under 35.
  • Control Over Timing: Allows for precise control over the timing of fertilisation and implantation.
  • Use of Donor Eggs/Sperm: Donor eggs or sperm can be used if necessary, increasing the chances of success.
  • Genetic Screening: Preimplantation genetic testing (PGT) can screen for genetic disorders, ensuring the healthiest embryos are selected.

Third-Party Reproduction

For those requiring additional assistance to build their family, third-party reproduction includes:

Donor eggs are an option for individuals or couples who cannot use their own eggs due to medical conditions, age, or genetic concerns.
This pathway is often chosen by:

  • Women with diminished ovarian reserve or premature ovarian failure.
  • Those with a history of unsuccessful IVF cycles due to poor egg quality.
  • Individuals wishing to avoid passing on genetic conditions.

The Process:

  1. Donor Selection: Patients can choose an egg donor through a licensed donor program.
  2. Egg Retrieval and Fertilisation: The donor undergoes ovarian stimulation, and the retrieved eggs are fertilised with partner or donor sperm.
  3. Embryo Transfer: The resulting embryos are transferred into the recipient’s uterus.

 

Advantages of Donor Eggs:

  • Increases the chance of a successful pregnancy for those with limited options.
  • Allows the recipient to carry and give birth to the child.

 

Who Can Benefit?
Donor eggs are suitable for:

  • Women over 40 who may have reduced egg quality.
  • Individuals undergoing treatments (e.g., cancer therapy) that affect fertility.
  • Same-sex male couples pursuing family building.

Donor sperm is a family-building option for individuals and couples who are unable to conceive using partner sperm or for those who do not have a male partner. This option is often chosen by:

  • Single women or same-sex female couples.
  • Heterosexual couples with male factor infertility or genetic concerns.

The Process:

  1. Donor Selection: Patients can choose a sperm donor through a licensed donor program or sperm bank. Donors undergo thorough medical and genetic screening to ensure safety.
  2. Insemination or Fertilisation: Donor sperm can be used for intrauterine insemination (IUI) or in vitro fertilisation (IVF) depending on the individual’s circumstances.
  3. Pregnancy Monitoring: After successful insemination or embryo transfer, routine prenatal care continues.

 

Advantages of Donor Sperm:

  • Offers an option for conception in a variety of family structures.
  • Helps bypass male factor infertility or prevent transmission of genetic conditions.

 

Who Can Benefit?
Donor sperm is suitable for:

  • Single women wishing to conceive.
  • Same-sex female couples.
  • Couples where the male partner has severe infertility or genetic risks.

Surrogacy provides an option for individuals or couples who are unable to carry a pregnancy themselves due to medical or anatomical reasons. It involves a gestational carrier who carries and delivers a baby conceived through ART for the intended parents.

The Process:

  1. Legal and Counselling Requirements: Surrogacy arrangements require legal agreements and psychological counselling to ensure all parties understand their roles and rights.
  2. Embryo Creation: Embryos are created using the intended parents’ gametes (or donor eggs/sperm if needed) through IVF.
  3. Embryo Transfer: The embryo is transferred to the gestational carrier’s uterus.
  4. Pregnancy and Birth: The gestational carrier undergoes routine prenatal care until delivery, after which the baby is cared for by the intended parents.

 

Advantages of Surrogacy:

  • Allows individuals and couples to become parents even when carrying a pregnancy is not possible.
  • Utilizes the intended parents’ genetic material whenever possible, preserving genetic links.

 

Who Can Benefit?
Surrogacy is an option for:

  • Women with uterine abnormalities or medical conditions preventing pregnancy.
  • Same-sex male couples wishing to build their family.
  • Individuals who cannot safely carry a pregnancy due to health concerns.

Inclusive Care For All

At MIGYNAE, we understand the emotional and physical challenges of infertility and the diverse pathways to parenthood. Families come in all forms, and whether you are a single individual, a same-sex couple, or part of a heterosexual couple, our ART and IVF services are tailored to meet your unique needs and goals.

We are proud to partner with Genea Fertility, a leader in advanced reproductive technologies, to offer world-class care and support. Together, our team and Genea’s specialists provide access to cutting-edge treatments in a supportive and nurturing environment. By combining MIGYNAE’s expertise in gynaecological care with Genea’s proven excellence in fertility solutions, we are committed to helping you achieve your dream of parenthood.

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Get in touch with our friendly team.

We are a general gynaecology clinic based in Melbourne, dedicated to the latest Minimally Invasive (MI) gynaecological diagnostic and surgical techniques. We are leaders in laparoscopic and cutting-edge robotic “keyhole” surgery.

If you have a question about a condition or treatment, or would like to book an appointment, please get in touch.

Get In Touch

(03) 9500 1828

Request an appointment

Hours

Mon ~ Thurs 9am to 5pm

Fri 9am to 4:30pm

Expertise

Diagnostic & Surgical

Information

At MIGYNAE, we provide care to all individuals with gynaecological and reproductive health needs, including those with female reproductive organs, regardless of gender identity or assignment at birth. We also welcome trans women and others seeking our specialist expertise.

We acknowledge the Traditional Owners of the land on which we work and live, the Wurundjeri Woi-wurrung and Bunurong peoples of the East Kulin Nations. We pay our respects to their Elders past, present, and emerging, and celebrate their rich stories, cultures, and traditions.

Copyright © 2024, MIGYNAE

Holiday Notice

Our practice will be closed for the holiday season from 25th December 2024 and reopen on Tuesday 7th January 2025 @ 9.00am.

During this period, emails and incoming referrals will not be answered or monitored.  All correspondence will be processed upon our return on 7th January 2025.

In case of an emergency, please visit your nearest Emergency Department or call 000 for immediate assistance.

If you have had surgery within the last three  weeks, and require urgent medical attention over the holiday closure period, please call the paging service on 9387-1000 to contact your surgeon or attend the nearest  Emergency Department.

On behalf of the entire team at MIGYNAE, we wish you a happy, safe holiday season and a prosperous NEW YEAR.

We look forward to welcoming you back in 2025!