{"id":312,"date":"2026-01-13T15:22:00","date_gmt":"2026-01-13T15:22:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/services.nhslothian.scot\/edinburghfertilitycentre\/treatments-and-services\/in-vitro-fertilisation-ivf\/"},"modified":"2026-01-13T15:24:29","modified_gmt":"2026-01-13T15:24:29","slug":"in-vitro-fertilisation-ivf","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/services.nhslothian.scot\/edinburghfertilitycentre\/treatments-and-services\/in-vitro-fertilisation-ivf\/","title":{"rendered":"In Vitro Fertilisation (IVF)"},"content":{"rendered":"<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"alignleft size-full is-resized\"><div class=\"wpcp-wp-lightbox-host wpcp-advanced-image-lightbox-icon-hover\"><a class=\"wpcp-wp-lightbox-image-link\" href=\"https:\/\/services.nhslothian.scot\/edinburghfertilitycentre\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/48\/2022\/06\/Fertilised-Egg.png\" data-wpcp-wp-lb-image=\"1\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"345\" height=\"289\" src=\"https:\/\/services.nhslothian.scot\/edinburghfertilitycentre\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/48\/2022\/06\/Fertilised-Egg.png\" alt=\"Fertilised Egg\" class=\"wp-image-582\" style=\"width:300px;height:289px\" srcset=\"https:\/\/services.nhslothian.scot\/edinburghfertilitycentre\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/48\/2022\/06\/Fertilised-Egg.png 345w, https:\/\/services.nhslothian.scot\/edinburghfertilitycentre\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/48\/2022\/06\/Fertilised-Egg-300x251.png 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 345px) 100vw, 345px\" \/><\/a><a href=\"https:\/\/services.nhslothian.scot\/edinburghfertilitycentre\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/48\/2022\/06\/Fertilised-Egg.png\" data-fancybox=\"wpcp-wp-img-582\" class=\"wpcp-lightbox-trigger wpcp-advanced-image-lightbox-icon wpcp-position-top-right wpcp-advanced-image-lightbox-icon-hover wpcp-global-lightbox-icon wpcp-lightbox-icon--global wpcp-lb-icon-style-default\" data-wpcp-lb-icon-source=\"global\" aria-label=\"Open image in lightbox\" data-thumb-src=\"https:\/\/services.nhslothian.scot\/edinburghfertilitycentre\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/48\/2022\/06\/Fertilised-Egg-300x251.png\" data-wpcp-lb-single=\"1\"><span class=\"wpcp-icon-container\"><svg viewBox=\"0 0 20 20\"><path d=\"M17.6585 16.025L14.2437 12.6198C15.1716 11.3338 15.6121 9.7613 15.4871 8.1819C15.362 6.60251 14.6795 5.11847 13.5607 3.99351C12.936 3.36206 12.1916 2.86066 11.3709 2.51845C10.5502 2.17623 9.66952 2 8.77995 2C7.89039 2 7.00969 2.17623 6.18899 2.51845C5.36829 2.86066 4.62395 3.36206 3.99919 3.99351C3.36594 4.61649 2.86312 5.35871 2.51992 6.17708C2.17673 6.99545 2 7.87365 2 8.76068C2 9.64772 2.17673 10.5259 2.51992 11.3443C2.86312 12.1627 3.36594 12.9049 3.99919 13.5279C5.11957 14.6901 6.62279 15.4103 8.23285 15.5562C9.84291 15.7022 11.4517 15.2641 12.7639 14.3224L16.1788 17.7275C16.3849 17.9034 16.6473 18 16.9186 18C17.1899 18 17.4523 17.9034 17.6585 17.7275C18.1138 17.16 18.1138 16.5925 17.6585 16.025ZM5.59278 12.0523C5.16258 11.6298 4.82094 11.1263 4.58774 10.5709C4.35455 10.0156 4.23446 9.41951 4.23446 8.81744C4.23446 8.21536 4.35455 7.6193 4.58774 7.06394C4.82094 6.50859 5.16258 6.00503 5.59278 5.58257C6.01644 5.15359 6.52144 4.81292 7.07838 4.58039C7.63532 4.34786 8.23308 4.22811 8.83687 4.22811C9.44066 4.22811 10.0384 4.34786 10.5954 4.58039C11.1523 4.81292 11.6573 5.15359 12.081 5.58257C12.5112 6.00503 12.8528 6.50859 13.086 7.06394C13.3192 7.6193 13.4393 8.21536 13.4393 8.81744C13.4393 9.41951 13.3192 10.0156 13.086 10.5709C12.8528 11.1263 12.5112 11.6298 12.081 12.0523C11.6573 12.4813 11.1523 12.822 10.5954 13.0545C10.0384 13.287 9.44066 13.4068 8.83687 13.4068C8.23308 13.4068 7.63532 13.287 7.07838 13.0545C6.52144 12.822 6.01644 12.4813 5.59278 12.0523Z\" \/><\/svg><\/span><\/a><\/div><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">In vitro fertilization (IVF) is a process by which an egg can be fertilised outside the body and it is now used widely as a fertility treatment when the sperm sample is normal. Following stimulation of the woman\u2019s ovaries with hormones, eggs are collected and placed in a dish inside an incubator before sperm are added about 4 hours later. Around 65% of the mature eggs will successfully be fertilised with a sperm to create an embryo (see image). The embryos are then cultured in the incubator for up to 5 days before being transferred into the uterus.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><\/p>\n\n\n<style>.wp-block-kadence-spacer.kt-block-spacer-312_711095-77 .kt-block-spacer{height:60px;}.wp-block-kadence-spacer.kt-block-spacer-312_711095-77 .kt-divider{border-top-width:15px;height:1px;border-top-color:#002A00;width:80%;border-top-style:dotted;}<\/style>\n<div class=\"wp-block-kadence-spacer aligncenter kt-block-spacer-312_711095-77\"><div class=\"kt-block-spacer kt-block-spacer-halign-center\"><hr class=\"kt-divider\" \/><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"alignright size-full is-resized\"><div class=\"wpcp-wp-lightbox-host wpcp-advanced-image-lightbox-icon-hover\"><a class=\"wpcp-wp-lightbox-image-link\" href=\"https:\/\/services.nhslothian.scot\/edinburghfertilitycentre\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/48\/2022\/06\/Embryo-Culture-and-Transfer.png\" data-wpcp-wp-lb-image=\"1\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"296\" height=\"157\" src=\"https:\/\/services.nhslothian.scot\/edinburghfertilitycentre\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/48\/2022\/06\/Embryo-Culture-and-Transfer.png\" alt=\"Embryo Culture and Transfer\" class=\"wp-image-583\" style=\"aspect-ratio:1.8853892520587485;width:321px;height:auto\" \/><\/a><a href=\"https:\/\/services.nhslothian.scot\/edinburghfertilitycentre\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/48\/2022\/06\/Embryo-Culture-and-Transfer.png\" data-fancybox=\"wpcp-wp-img-583\" class=\"wpcp-lightbox-trigger wpcp-advanced-image-lightbox-icon wpcp-position-top-right wpcp-advanced-image-lightbox-icon-hover wpcp-global-lightbox-icon wpcp-lightbox-icon--global wpcp-lb-icon-style-default\" data-wpcp-lb-icon-source=\"global\" aria-label=\"Open image in lightbox\" data-thumb-src=\"https:\/\/services.nhslothian.scot\/edinburghfertilitycentre\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/48\/2022\/06\/Embryo-Culture-and-Transfer.png\" data-wpcp-lb-single=\"1\"><span class=\"wpcp-icon-container\"><svg viewBox=\"0 0 20 20\"><path d=\"M17.6585 16.025L14.2437 12.6198C15.1716 11.3338 15.6121 9.7613 15.4871 8.1819C15.362 6.60251 14.6795 5.11847 13.5607 3.99351C12.936 3.36206 12.1916 2.86066 11.3709 2.51845C10.5502 2.17623 9.66952 2 8.77995 2C7.89039 2 7.00969 2.17623 6.18899 2.51845C5.36829 2.86066 4.62395 3.36206 3.99919 3.99351C3.36594 4.61649 2.86312 5.35871 2.51992 6.17708C2.17673 6.99545 2 7.87365 2 8.76068C2 9.64772 2.17673 10.5259 2.51992 11.3443C2.86312 12.1627 3.36594 12.9049 3.99919 13.5279C5.11957 14.6901 6.62279 15.4103 8.23285 15.5562C9.84291 15.7022 11.4517 15.2641 12.7639 14.3224L16.1788 17.7275C16.3849 17.9034 16.6473 18 16.9186 18C17.1899 18 17.4523 17.9034 17.6585 17.7275C18.1138 17.16 18.1138 16.5925 17.6585 16.025ZM5.59278 12.0523C5.16258 11.6298 4.82094 11.1263 4.58774 10.5709C4.35455 10.0156 4.23446 9.41951 4.23446 8.81744C4.23446 8.21536 4.35455 7.6193 4.58774 7.06394C4.82094 6.50859 5.16258 6.00503 5.59278 5.58257C6.01644 5.15359 6.52144 4.81292 7.07838 4.58039C7.63532 4.34786 8.23308 4.22811 8.83687 4.22811C9.44066 4.22811 10.0384 4.34786 10.5954 4.58039C11.1523 4.81292 11.6573 5.15359 12.081 5.58257C12.5112 6.00503 12.8528 6.50859 13.086 7.06394C13.3192 7.6193 13.4393 8.21536 13.4393 8.81744C13.4393 9.41951 13.3192 10.0156 13.086 10.5709C12.8528 11.1263 12.5112 11.6298 12.081 12.0523C11.6573 12.4813 11.1523 12.822 10.5954 13.0545C10.0384 13.287 9.44066 13.4068 8.83687 13.4068C8.23308 13.4068 7.63532 13.287 7.07838 13.0545C6.52144 12.822 6.01644 12.4813 5.59278 12.0523Z\" \/><\/svg><\/span><\/a><\/div><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Embryo culture and transfer<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Once embryos have been created in the laboratory, they will be cultured in small dishes in an incubator where they will undergo cell division. Embryos will be monitored whilst in culture. Embryo transfer is usually performed on day 5 at the blastocyst stage. Around half of human embryos stop developing before they reach the compaction stage (approximately day 4), so one major advantage of culturing embryos for longer is that we can select the embryos that continue to develop and therefore have greater potential to develop into a pregnancy. As the blastocyst is a more complex structure, we can identify top quality embryos more reliably, as well as identify those which develop abnormally and have little chance of implanting.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><br>Single embryo transfer<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">As top-quality blastocysts have a high chance of implanting, we would always aim to transfer only a single good quality blastocyst, to reduce the chance of a multiple pregnancy. This increases the chances of a safe and healthy pregnancy for both mother and child. We therefore encourage all of our patients to have an elective single embryo transfer as it is much safer to have a single baby rather than twins. The risk of twins is more than 20% of all pregnancies if two good quality embryos are transferred, so it is important to take this into account during discussions with your doctor. We would typically only offer a double embryo transfer in exceptional circumstances.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><br>Embryo freezing<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Any good quality embryos which have developed but are not replaced can be frozen for use later with your consent. This is an efficient process and the pregnancy rate using frozen-thawed embryos is very good. This is especially important when discussing issues around single embryo transfer.<br><br>You will be given detailed information on all aspects of your treatment before your treatment.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>In vitro fertilization (IVF) is a process by which an egg can be fertilised outside the body and it is now used widely as a fertility treatment when the sperm sample is normal. Following stimulation of the woman&rsquo;s ovaries with hormones, eggs are collected and placed in a dish inside an incubator before sperm are<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":0,"parent":310,"menu_order":7,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"_gspb_post_css":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[],"class_list":["post-312","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"rttpg_featured_image_url":null,"rttpg_author":{"display_name":"NHS Lothian","author_link":"https:\/\/services.nhslothian.scot\/edinburghfertilitycentre\/author\/nhs-lothian\/"},"rttpg_comment":0,"rttpg_category":false,"rttpg_excerpt":"In vitro fertilization (IVF) is a process by which an egg can be fertilised outside the body and it is now used widely as a fertility treatment when the sperm sample is normal. Following stimulation of the woman&rsquo;s ovaries with hormones, eggs are collected and placed in a dish inside an incubator before sperm are","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/services.nhslothian.scot\/edinburghfertilitycentre\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/312","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/services.nhslothian.scot\/edinburghfertilitycentre\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/services.nhslothian.scot\/edinburghfertilitycentre\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/services.nhslothian.scot\/edinburghfertilitycentre\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/services.nhslothian.scot\/edinburghfertilitycentre\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=312"}],"version-history":[{"count":2,"href":"https:\/\/services.nhslothian.scot\/edinburghfertilitycentre\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/312\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2557,"href":"https:\/\/services.nhslothian.scot\/edinburghfertilitycentre\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/312\/revisions\/2557"}],"up":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/services.nhslothian.scot\/edinburghfertilitycentre\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/310"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/services.nhslothian.scot\/edinburghfertilitycentre\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=312"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/services.nhslothian.scot\/edinburghfertilitycentre\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=312"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}