If pregnancy does not occur despite fertility treatment or if certain medical conditions are present, artificial insemination using IVF (in vitro fertilisation) or ICSI (intracytoplasmic sperm injection) can increase the chances of pregnancy.
Which method is best suited for you depends, among other things, on your age, your egg reserve, sperm quality, and the cause of the unfulfilled wish to have children. At Kopelli Clinic, we advise you individually and select the appropriate treatment for your situation together with you.
At the beginning of the treatment, the ovaries are stimulated with hormones. Hormone injections, usually containing FSH (follicle-stimulating hormone), are administered over several days. The goal is for several egg follicles (follicles) to mature simultaneously. We work with AI-optimized stimulation protocols.
During the stimulation phase, we regularly monitor the growth of the follicles using ultrasound. This allows us to individually adapt the treatment to your response to the stimulation.
Once the follicles have reached the appropriate size, the final maturation of the eggs is triggered with a hormone injection.
Approximately 36 hours later, the eggs are retrieved by puncturing the follicles. The procedure is performed under ultrasound guidance and can be carried out with a short anesthetic or appropriate pain medication.
The retrieved eggs are fertilised on the same day in our IVF laboratory in Pfäffikon SZ. Depending on the initial situation, two procedures are possible:
IVF – In vitro fertilization:
In IVF, prepared spermatozoa are placed together with the oocyte in a culture dish. Fertilization then occurs independently by one of the spermatozoa.
ICSI – Intracytoplasmic sperm injection:
In cases of significantly impaired sperm quality, ICSI may be advisable. Here, a single, highly motile and morphologically optimal spermatozoon is injected directly into the oocyte under a microscope.
Already on the following day, we can determine which eggs have been successfully fertilised.
The fertilised eggs are cultured under controlled conditions in special incubators and their development is observed.
After about five days, the embryos may have developed to the so-called blastocyst stage. A blastocyst already consists of numerous cells and has a characteristic, fluid-filled cavity.
A suitable blastocyst can then be transferred into the uterine cavity with a very thin catheter. The embryo transfer takes only a few minutes and is usually painless.
To keep the risk of multiple pregnancies as low as possible, a single embryo is preferably transferred in many situations today. A maximum of two embryos are transferred at our clinic.
If further suitable embryos are available, they can be frozen (cryopreserved) and stored for a later embryo transfer.
ICSI is not inherently more successful than IVF. The decisive factor is which method suits the couple’s individual situation.
With good sperm quality, classic IVF may be sufficient. If the number, motility, or quality of sperm is significantly impaired, or after previous fertilisation problems, ICSI can increase the probability of successful fertilisation. If genetic testing of the embryos is planned, fertilisation must be performed using ICSI.
We will discuss which method we recommend with you in detail before starting the treatment.
The chances of success with artificial insemination vary greatly individually. One of the most important factors is the woman’s age, as both the number and quality of eggs decrease with increasing age, and chromosomal changes in the eggs become more frequent.
Other factors that can influence the probability of pregnancy include egg reserve, sperm quality, endometriosis, uterine diseases, chronic diseases, severe obesity, and smoking.
Therefore, a general percentage is only of limited significance. In a personal consultation, we can assess your individual starting situation and give you a realistic estimate of your chances of success.
Our doctors have many years of experience in reproductive medicine. Diagnostics, hormonal stimulation, and further care are individually tailored to your personal situation.
We perform IVF and ICSI treatments at our IVF center in Pfäffikon SZ. Our modern IVF laboratory operates according to high quality standards and is regularly monitored.
It is important to us that you understand every step of your treatment and feel well cared for. We will explain in detail which treatment options are available to you, what costs will be incurred, and how your personal chances of success can be assessed.
We would be happy to advise you personally and plan the next steps with you on your path to your desired child.
In IVF (in vitro fertilization), after hormonal stimulation, several oocytes are retrieved from the ovaries and brought together with spermatozoa in the laboratory. Fertilization takes place outside the body. If a suitable embryo develops, it is transferred into the uterus after a few days.
In classic IVF, oocytes and spermatozoa are brought together in the laboratory, and fertilization occurs independently. In ICSI (intracytoplasmic sperm injection), however, a single spermatozoon is specifically injected directly into an oocyte. ICSI is particularly considered in cases of significantly impaired sperm quality or after previous fertilization problems.
IVF or ICSI may be advisable, for example, in cases of blocked or damaged fallopian tubes, impaired sperm quality, endometriosis, long-standing unfulfilled desire for children, or after unsuccessful simpler fertility treatments. The appropriate method depends on your individual situation and will be decided with you after a thorough assessment.
Initially, the ovaries are hormonally stimulated so that several oocytes mature simultaneously. The development of the follicles is monitored by ultrasound and, if necessary, hormone level determinations. Once the oocytes are sufficiently mature, they are retrieved during a short puncture and subsequently fertilized in the IVF laboratory. After a few days, a suitable embryo is usually transferred into the uterus. Further suitable embryos can be frozen under appropriate conditions.
Oocyte retrieval is performed either under short anesthesia or with stronger pain medication while conscious and usually takes only a few minutes. This generally makes the procedure well-tolerated. Afterwards, mild lower abdominal pain or a feeling of tension may temporarily occur.
From the start of hormonal stimulation to oocyte retrieval, usually about two weeks pass. A few days after oocyte retrieval, embryo transfer can take place, provided there is no hyperstimulation. The exact procedure and duration may vary depending on the chosen treatment protocol and the individual ovarian response.
The chances of success depend on various factors. Particularly important are the woman’s age, the number and quality of the retrieved oocytes and embryos, and the cause of the unfulfilled desire for children. Sperm quality and individual medical factors also play a role. Therefore, we discuss your personal chances of success individually and as realistically as possible with you after the assessment.
IVF and ICSI are established procedures in reproductive medicine. Possible risks include, among others, side effects of hormonal stimulation, an overreaction of the ovaries, and very rarely, complications associated with oocyte retrieval. Through individually adapted stimulation protocols and regular controls, we try to keep these risks as low as possible.
Yes. Suitable embryos can be cryopreserved, i.e., frozen, and stored for a later treatment. This often allows for a repeat treatment attempt without renewed hormonal stimulation and oocyte retrieval.
In a cryo-transfer, a previously frozen embryo is thawed and transferred into the uterus. The uterine lining is prepared for embryo transfer beforehand, either in a natural cycle or with hormonal support.
After embryo transfer, 10 days must be awaited before a pregnancy can be reliably detected. We will arrange with you the appropriate time for the determination of the pregnancy hormone hCG in the blood.
In Switzerland, the costs of IVF or ICSI treatment are currently generally not covered by mandatory health insurance. However, certain preceding investigations and treatments may be covered by basic insurance. Before starting an IVF or ICSI treatment, we inform you transparently about the expected costs.
IVF and ICSI treatments involving oocyte retrieval, fertilization, and embryo culture are performed at our Pfäffikon SZ location. Fertility investigations, as well as certain preliminary examinations and ultrasound controls, can also be carried out at our Zurich location.