The treatment process
Fertility treatment in our clinics is always based on a comprehensive investigation. In an initial interview or visit, our staff gets to know your individual situation so that the treatment can be carefully adapted to your needs.
Your first visit
The initial interview is a non-binding interview and the first step in the process. The purpose of the conversation is to clarify your situation and discuss an investigation and treatment course. We will talk about your infertility and discuss any health challenges that have an impact on fertility treatment.
Ultrasound scanning of the uterus and ovaries
If you, as a woman, are to be treated with IVF treatment, hormone-stimulated insemination or treatment with donor eggs, you will also have an ultrasound scan of the uterus and ovaries carried out. Furthermore, we will create an overview of which examinations need to be carried out in connection with an investigation in order to initiate your treatment course.
Have you had fertility treatment before?
If you have previously received fertility treatment, it will be an advantage if we receive a copy of the medical record, stimulation forms and laboratory forms, which describe the development of the eggs and any partner’s sperm quality. You are welcome to send the copies to us before the interview per post or email.
If you have not previously undergone fertility treatment, we will ask you to have an investigation carried out and submit test results for relevant hormone tests (including AMH, TSH and TPO) as well as fill in an electronic journal on our website. This is to be able to offer the most optimal treatment for you. Our fertility doctors will look at the test results and assess which course of treatment you should be offered. You will then be contacted by one of our secretaries.
Hormone treatment
To increase the chances of a successful fertility treatment, we start a hormone treatment within the first three days of menstruation. The follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) promotes follicle growth so that several eggs mature simultaneously in the ovaries. The hormone treatment is given once a day in the form of an injection and lasts 11–13 days, depending on the maturation of your eggs. You can easily give yourself the injection at home.
Our team advises you and teaches you how to do it. After approx. seven treatment days, the size of the eggs is checked with ultrasound and your hormone dose is adjusted if necessary. In addition, the examination can show the optimal time for ovulation.
Induction of ovulation
If the eggs have grown sufficiently and can be fertilized, the FSH injections and also the possible injections with GnRH analogues are terminated. Ovulation is induced with an hCG injection. You take this yourself at home following guidance from us.
Egg retrieval and artificial insemination
Approx. 36 hours after ovulation, the mature eggs can be removed from the ovaries. During pain-relieving treatment, the follicles are punctured with a fine needle that is inserted through the vagina, and the eggs are removed. You will then stay with us for a few hours for observation. The removed eggs are fertilized already the same day in our laboratories. For that purpose, we need a fresh sperm sample or frozen sperm. We monitor the fertilized eggs in our incubators (heating cabinets), where the development is filmed 24 hours a day.
On the second day after egg retrieval, the laboratory will send an email about how the fertilization and division of eggs has gone so far.
Transferring the fertilised egg
The fertilized egg is usually transferred within a few days of egg collection. It is a routine procedure that only takes a few minutes and can be performed without anaesthesia. At this stage, the fertilised egg is barely visible to the naked eye and is contained in a tiny drop of medium, and it is this tiny drop that is implanted in the uterus using a soft plastic catheter, usually without any pain.
As soon as the fertilised egg is in the uterus, it can attach itself to the uterine lining and develop further. You can go home immediately after the procedure
You should take a pregnancy test about 2 weeks after the procedure. If the result is positive, you can make an appointment with us for the first ultrasound scan about 3 weeks later. If it is negative, we will discuss the next steps.
You must be aware of this during the treatment:
Be sure to relax
Fertility treatment involves a lot of waiting time, and we know how difficult it is both physically and psychologically. However, try to continue your normal everyday life and spend time doing something good for yourself.
Sport, bathing and sexual intercourse
Especially after the laying of fertilized eggs, it is important to avoid hard sports, but regular exercise and daily life are fine. You must avoid swimming in the swimming pool or the sea on the same day as the egg laying due to the risk of infection. You can have sex without reducing the chance of pregnancy.
Medicine
You must continue with the medication that has been prescribed. If it becomes necessary to take other medication, remember to inform the doctor that you may be pregnant.
After pregnancy
If you have become pregnant after the treatment, we would like to hear from you about the rest of the pregnancy and your birth, as our results must be reported to the Danish Health Authority.
When you contact us after birth, we need to know the date of birth, sex of the newborn, weight and length – also whether the birth went without problems and whether the birth was possibly planned with a caesarean section.