In vitro fertilisation (IVF)

At Tambre we carry out personalised treatments adapted to the particular needs of our patients. Once we have studied the possible causes and determined the origin of the couple’s infertility, we recommend the most appropriate IVF treatment.

By using drugs, whose action is similar to that of certain hormones produced by the woman, we try to develop several follicles, which contain the eggs. In this phase, we carry out several ultrasound checks. 

When the oocytes have reached maturity, they are extracted by means of puncturing the ovaries and aspiration of the follicles, under ultrasound and vaginally. This procedure is performed on an outpatient basis under local anaesthesia and mild sedation. The eggs obtained are prepared and sorted in the laboratory.

Semen capacitation

After collecting the semen sample from the male, it is taken to the Tambre laboratory for preparation. If the sample comes from our own sperm donor bank or was cryopreserved, it is similarly processed and prepared for fertilisation of the eggs in the Andrology laboratory.

Fertilisation in the laboratory: IVF/ICSI

In the laboratory, fertilisation is facilitated by joining the oocyte to the sperm, either in a conventional IVF cycle – more natural and spontaneous – or using the ICSI technique, which consists of selecting a spermatozoon that is deposited directly inside the oocyte.

16-18 hours after IVF or ICSI the number of fertilised eggs will be determined and we will see how many embryos we have. These will be left in the incubator for observation during the following days of culture with special media. Thanks to the Time Lapse system, we can assess the evolution and quality of the embryos, which continue to develop without the need to manipulate them.

At Tambre, we culture the embryos until day 5/6 (D5/6), after which they are transferred or frozen, as appropriate.

Embryo transfer is a simple and painless procedure performed with the aid of abdominal ultrasound. It consists of depositing the embryos in the uterine cavity, using a very fine cannula. In order to favour embryo implantation,hormonal treatment is also prescribed so that the endometrium is in the best condition at the time of the transfer.

The embryo transfer is performed at the blastocyst stage (D5/6). The day of the transfer depends on personal circumstances.

The Spanish Assisted Reproduction Law allows a maximum number of 3 embryos to be transferred. This is to avoid multiple pregnancies and their possible risks. At Tambre we transfer a single embryo, SET (single embryo transfer), this can be individualised for each patient.

Beta-waiting
This is the period between the transfer and the pregnancy test.

The pregnancy test is performed 10 to 11 days after the embryo transfer using a blood test to determine the values of a hormone that is only produced by the embryo, beta hCG. Depending on the level of this hormone in the blood we can confirm the pregnancy and its evolution.

If the beta hCG hormone test is positive, we must wait two more weeks before we carry out the first ultrasound scan to check the development of the embryo. It is not advisable to do it before this time as in many cases it can create confusion and uncertainty. If all is well, the patient will be discharged from assisted reproduction.