The treatments: IVF
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In vitro fertilisation (IVF)
Suitable for: Women for whom superovulation and IUI haven't worked; blocked tubes; severe male factor infertility.
What happens: First you'll be given drugs to put you in a temporary menopause, followed by superovulatory drugs. The development of your eggs will be tracked by ultrasound and blood tests, then when the time is right, an injection of HCG is given to ripen the eggs. The eggs are collected under heavy sedation or anaesthetic.
Meanwhile, your partner will have produced a semen sample. The eggs and sperm are placed in a special fluid and checked to see if they've fertilised. Two to five days after fertilisation, up to two of the healthiest embryos will be replaced in a procedure similar to IUI. Any suitable remaining embryos may be frozen.
Private cost: About £3,000 to £4,000; with the cost of drugs on top (these can cost up to £1,000).
By Vicky Woollaston
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