Fertility Services

Fertility Checks and Assessment

We practice clinical medicine at St. Ives, thus we do not just throw up possible solutions without identifying problems. We provide thorough fertility assessment checks for both men and women as the starting process in our fertility treatment operations.

Our assessments procedures are conducted under the most discreet and professional conditions to help us identify the best and easiest way forward in your quest for having your own babies. It is better when couples know what really the problem is.

We are open minded and thorough yet not obsessive over endless tests and assessments that drain our patients both emotionally and financially. This way, we adopt an efficient process that helps identify possible problems as quickest as possible, thus allowing us focus on getting you your heart’s desire, by matching you with the best options regarding your circumstances.

Do get in touch with us today for our fertility specialists to start you on an effective assessment process.

Ovulation Induction

This involves using hormonal medications (usually drugs) to stimulate the ovulation process in those women in whom ovulation does not occur naturally or those with some form of ovulatory dysfunctions such as irregular or absent menses (Anovulation).

The need for ovulation induction or controlled stimulation can only be ascertained after a hormonal assessment procedure using Ultrasound Scans.

However, this method requires professional monitoring through other techniques such as vagina probes. For more on ovulation induction and how it might relate to you and your needs, get in touch with us on any of our platforms.

SURGICAL SPERM ASPIRATION: (TESA/PESA)

This is a procedure performed on men. Some men have a condition called azoospermia, i.e. an absence of sperm in the ejaculate due to blockage preventing sperm from entering the semen (obstructive azoospermia) or due to a failure of sperm production by the testicles i.e. non-obstructive azoospermia. In this case, sperm is retrieved from the vasdeferens, epididymis or testis via a minor surgical procedure called Sperm Aspiration or retrieval.

Azoospermia is not easily detected without clinical tests and assessments; and the blockage or failure could be a result of number of factors such as previous vasectomy or failed reversal, infections such as chlamydia, gonorrhea, or some previous injuries.

Sperm Aspiration technique could be either PESA Percutaneous Sperm Aspiration, where a fine needle is inserted through the scrotum into the epididymis and sperm obtained by gentle suction, or TESA (Testicular Sperm Aspiration, which involves insertion of fine needle into the testis and tissue samples are obtained by gentle suction.

For more on this fertility technique and the azoospermia condition, feel free to book an appointment by filling a form on this site or contact any of our fertility specialists via the various channels available or better visit one of our clinics in Ikoyi, Ikeja and Abeokuta.

In Vitro Fertilization

In Vitro Fertilization is the process of fertilizing eggs with sperm in the laboratory (instead of inside the fallopian tube) and allowing it grow over two to five days before moving the fertilized embryo into the woman’s uterus through a simple procedure called embryo transfer.

This explains the hitherto popular term, “test tube baby” as reference to babies conceived via this method. It should be noted that though IVF is the most popular, it is not the only fertility solutions there is. It is only one of many other effective options. And it is not for everyone.

When IVF is an option

IVF becomes an option in the following situations:

-Woman with blocked or damaged fallopian tubes.
-Woman with inoperable tubes or where the tubes have been removed due to ectopic pregnancy.  —-
-Women with endometriosis.
-Men with mild to moderate male factor infertility.
-Couples with unexplainable infertility.
-Couples with repeated failure to conceive after 5-6 cycles of Intra Uterine Insemination (IUI).

IVF Procedure

IVF treatments are customized for each individual or couple as it involves a set of protocols usually developed to fit the characteristics of the particular client as determined by the findings from the assessments, physical examination and other medical investigations.

IVF treatment therefore involves a set of carefully managed processes including:

-The administration of fertility drugs to induce ovulation
-Monitoring of the cycle
-Collection of eggs
-Then mixing of egg and sperm together outside the woman’s body in a culture dish or test tube.
-After that, any resulting embryos are left to grow and the best 2 or 3 embryos are then transferred
into the woman’s womb. While any remaining embryo of good quality may be frozen for future use.

For an in-depth expose on the step by step procedures entailed in In Vitro Fertilization, kindly visit our blog page and read more on the subject. Better still contact us on via any of our channels today or book an appointment to see any of our fertility specialists.

Intra-Uterine Insemination (IUI)

IUI is the measured insertion of sperm into a woman’s uterus during ovulation with the ultimate goal of inducing fertilization by increasing the number of sperms that reach the fallopian tubes.

This procedure can be performed using the husband’s sperm or donor sperm; and is suitable for couples with unexplained infertility, minimal male factor infertility, and women with cervical mucus problems.

For more on the conditions necessitating this approach ad more on the methods and techniques of infertility treatments, please feel free to connect with us and let us work with you in reaching your goals.

Intra-Cytoplasmic Sperm Injection (ICSI)

ICSI is the procedure where single sperms are injected into the cytoplasm of each egg using a needle. It is a modern technique effective in the treatment of male factor infertility, and is especially applicable for men with Azoospermia or abnormal sperm parameters.

The ICSI processes for couples are similar to those of IVF but the major difference lies the fact that ICSI does not increase the incidence of multiple pregnancy.

We are proficient in conducting this delicate procedure and you can be rest assured if you chose to give us a try.

ENDOSCOPY SURGERY: HYSTEROSCOPY & LAPAROSCOPY

Endoscopy surgeries are “minimally invasive” surgeries deployed to see inside the human body in order to examine a hollow organ or cavity; and sometimes, these are the appropriate interventions required in diagnosing and treatment of infertility challenges in women, especially the two endoscopy techniques used are called hysteroscopy and laparoscopy.

Hysteroscopy involves passing of a telescope through the vagina and cervix into the uterine cavity so as to assess the conditions of the inside of the uterus. This procedure is effective for the removal of fibroids, polyps and breakdown of uterine adhesions i.e. Asherman’s syndrome.

In Laparoscopy however, the telescope is passed through a tiny incision just below the navel to assess the pelvic organs. This helps in the diagnosis of the presence or absence of adhesions, endometriosis or other pelvic abnormalities.

Endoscopic surgeries allow for quick recoveries because they are minimally invasive, with significantly reduced probabilities of post-operative complications and infections.

Take advantage of our reliable expertise and effective top of range endoscopy theatres at our Fertility centers. Kindly reach us or any of our specialists via any of our channels today and let us start you on a process that leads you to your heart’s ultimate desire. 

Laser Assisted Hatching (LAH)

Assisted hatching is technique used to help the embryo hatch from its protective outer shell, the zona pellucida, and promote implantation in the uterine wall after embryo transfer.

LAH is often required for older women seeking assisted reproductive interventions because the egg covering becomes thicker with age. However, it is a handy technique for women with history of repeated IVF failures or those using cryopreserved embryos among others.

For more on this method and other important information, we are available to serve you at your convenience.

Cryopreservation

-Sperm bank
-Embryo freezing

We offer cryopreservation services. This include semen bank facilities for the collection and storage of human sperms or eggs, as well as for embryo freezing.

This sperm bank/embryo offering is essential for women seeking donor-provided sperms in achieving pregnancy. Also, it provides a useful opportunity for younger women who for some reasons, wish to push forward their child-bearing capability for later years when their eggs might not as strong as the present.

It is equally a veritable tool for couples undergoing assisted reproduction to preserve some embryos developed during fertilization stage to be used in the future.

For more about this offering and how it might be suitable for you, do reach out to us via any of our contact options.

EGG/EMBRYO DONOR PROGRAM

Sometimes the chances of getting pregnant naturally for some women is no longer a possibility, due to one or a combination of natural or medical conditions. Our fertility operation offers an Egg/Embryo donation program that delivers more than hope to such women but gives them joy to hold and to cherish.

At St. Ives, we painstakingly leave no stones unturned in ensuring every aspect is done to the letter. From carefully conducting the selection process following requisite criteria, and properly counselling both donor and recipient parties on all moral, psychological and legal implications, to performing thorough screening exercises to identify potential red flags.

Candidates for Egg/Embryo Donor Program

-Women who were born without functioning ovaries (i.e. Turner’s syndrome).
-Women who have their ovaries removed as part of a treatment for  cancer, pelvic infections
or endometriosis.
-Women whose ovaries are damaged as a consequence of radiotherapy  and/or chemotherapy.
-Women with recurrent IVF failures that is linked to poor egg quality.
-Women with recurrent pregnancy losses due to chromosomal abnormalities.
-Women whose normal eggs have failed to fertilize repeatedly.
-Women who have a uterus but whose ovaries do not produce eggs due to premature menopause (usually
before the age of 40).
-Women whose ovaries are resistant to stimulation by fertility drugs.

Our egg/embryo donation programis both extensive and effective. If you wish to know more or you feel it might provide succor for you in your search for the fruit of the womb, do get in touch with us and we will be delighted to start you on a journey to new bouncing possibilities.