IVF Glossary

Understand treatment terms in plain language

We've brought together the key concepts you'll come across in consultations and reports throughout your IVF journey, explained simply by our specialists. Type the term you're looking for or filter by category.

16 terms
Hormones AMH (Anti-Müllerian Hormone) The hormone that reflects your ovarian reserve. It is one of the most important indicators for shaping your treatment plan and medication dosage. Learn more Procedures & Treatments Insemination (IUI) Placing prepared sperm directly into the uterus around the time of ovulation. A simpler, first-step treatment compared with IVF. Learn more Hormones Beta hCG The pregnancy hormone. It is measured in the blood around 10-12 days after embryo transfer; a pregnancy test refers to this measurement. Learn more Embryology Blastocyst The advanced embryo stage reached on days 5-6 after fertilisation. Blastocyst transfer generally offers a higher chance of implantation. Learn more Procedures & Treatments Embryo Transfer Placing the embryo developed in the laboratory into the uterus through a thin catheter. It is painless and requires no anaesthesia. Learn more Embryology Embryoscopy Technology that lets embryos be monitored continuously by camera without leaving the incubator. It makes selecting the healthiest embryo easier. Learn more Anatomy & General Follicle The fluid-filled sac in the ovaries that holds an egg cell. Its number and size are tracked by ultrasound during treatment. Learn more Procedures & Treatments ICSI (Microinjection) Injecting a single sperm directly into the egg under a microscope. It is the standard fertilisation method in modern IVF treatment. Learn more Embryology Implantation The embryo attaching to the lining of the uterus. It happens within a few days of transfer and marks the beginning of pregnancy. Learn more Procedures & Treatments Egg Collection (OPU) Collecting mature eggs with a fine needle under light anaesthesia, guided by ultrasound. It takes around 15-20 minutes. Learn more Procedures & Treatments Ovarian Stimulation Stimulating the ovaries with hormone medication so that several eggs develop at once. It usually takes 8-12 days. Learn more Genetics PGT (Genetic Testing) Examining embryos for chromosomal health before transfer. It supports healthy embryo selection and is recommended with advanced age and recurrent pregnancy loss. Learn more Hormones Progesterone The hormone that prepares the uterus for pregnancy. After transfer it is given as support in injection, gel or tablet form. Learn more Procedures & Treatments Tandem Cycle Using both your own eggs and donor eggs within the same treatment cycle. It maximises your chances when reserve is low. Learn more Procedures & Treatments TESA / MESA / PESA Methods that obtain sperm from the testis or epididymis with a fine needle, without an incision, in obstructive azoospermia. Learn more Procedures & Treatments TESE / Micro TESE Obtaining sperm surgically from testicular tissue when there is no sperm in the semen. In Micro TESE the procedure is performed under a microscope. Learn more Embryology Vitrification Storing eggs and embryos with a rapid-freezing technique. It provides survival rates of up to 99% after thawing. Learn more
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