Fertility Health
Fertility Treatments
Ovulation induction with timed intercourse
(With or without fertility drugs)
Treatment to establish follicle development before couples are advised to have 'timed intercourse'. Can be achieved using oral Fertility Tablets or low dosage FSH injectable hormones.
ICI
(Intra-cervical Insemination)
Couples or individuals opt for "home (self) insemination" using sperm sourced either through a co-parenting agreement or from a "known donor".
has its own implications and some risks
Natural IUI
(Intrauterine Insemination)
Suitable treatment in cases of patent fallopian tubes & normospermia.
Performed in a Licenced Fertility Centre via follicular monitoring with trans-vaginal ultrasound scans, following spontaneous Ovulation (predicted via a reputable Ovulation test kit), partner sperm or sperm from an anonymous donor is prepared and inseminated through cervical Os, directly into the uterine cavity to achieve a pregnancy.
Stimulated IUI
(Intrauterine Insemination)
After a course of FSH injectable hormones, the woman's ovary will develop a dominant follicle.
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At the most optimised phase of the monitored cycle, HCg (trigger) injection is timely administered before the insemination of the prepared sperm.
IVF
(Invitro-Fertilisation)
The most popular form of "assisted conception" & often referred to as "test-tube" baby treatment. ​The female undergoes a cycle of ovarian stimulation using FSH injectable hormones. At the point of adequate follicular growth, HCg (trigger) injection is administered to prepare the maturing Oocytes (eggs) for aspiration (egg retrieval).
IVF
(Invitro-Fertilisation)
The collected Oocytes (eggs) are then placed in a petri dish with approximately 100,000 sperm to achieve natural fertilisation. The fertilised gametes (eggs/sperm) are known as embryos. The embryos are carefully observed for normal embryonic development (3-5 days), in a special incubator (artificial womb) until one or two are ready for transfer into the uterus.​
ICSI
(Intracytoplasmic Sperm Injection)
Advised in cases of mild/severe Male Factor infertility (as with the IVF process, up to the point of fertilisation).
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In circumstances where ICSI is required, collected Oocytes (eggs) are examined for their "maturity".
only mature Oocytes (eggs) can be injected
FET
(Frozen Embryo Transfer)
If the outcome for the couple is negative, they have the option to use previously stored frozen embryos in a subsequent cycle.
Couples can also use their stored embryos in the future, after a successful birth.
Surrogacy
Surrogacy is an option for women who cannot safely carry their own pregnancy without a risk to their own health or the health of their baby (Medical Surrogacy). Medical Surrogacy is a fertility option, both for heterosexual couples, single women or a same-sex couple (SSC), using a donor egg or sperm donor.
There are two types of Surrogacy arrangements:
Traditional Surrogacy:
Surrogate uses her own egg, fertilised with the sperm of male Intended Parent (IP) to produce an embryo.
Host Surrogacy: (gestational surrogacy)
Surrogate carries the fertilised embryo (usually following an IVF cycle) to full term.
Surrogacy Treatment Pathway involves lengthy discussions relating to implications, legal parenthood considerations, counselling and investigations before embarking on treatment. Intended Parents (IP’s) and Surrogates (S) are encouraged to build strong relationships over a period of time before undergoing their very carefully planned treatment programme.
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It is strongly advised to seek legal advice from someone familiar with Family Law before a Surrogacy Arrangement is confirmed
NGA Law: Natalie Gamble is a well known international legal service supporting couples with expert guidance in Surrogacy law, as well as various aspects of Fertility Legal Parenthood issues.
COTS: (Childhood Overcome Through Surrogacy) is one of the leading reputable Surrogacy Agencies in the UK, of which I am delighted to be associated with as a Medical Advocate.
Precious Babies
An ITV Documentary
​This fly-on-the-wall documentary, produced by ITV, was filmed almost 16 years ago however the devotion and dedication to supporting the emotional wellbeing of each individual is still with me to this day.
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This shows the truly emotive impact of infertility, not always seen by staff once the patient leaves.
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Click on the link below to watch the commitment of myself and the Surrogacy Team at The Leeds General Infirmary helping couples through their journey.
