In Vitro Fertilisation (IVF)
In vitro fertilisation (IVF) can be an exciting and hopeful next step when you’re ready to start or grow your family.
At Bourn Hall Fertility Clinic, we’re proud to walk alongside you through every stage of the IVF process – offering expert care, personalised treatment and a track record of proven success. Whether it’s your very first round of IVF or you’re returning after previous treatment, you can count on our confidence, compassion and unwavering support.
Page Guide
We understand that fertility treatment can be a complex and emotional journey. Our team is dedicated to providing you with all the information and support you need throughout the process.
How does it work?
IVF treatment process: how does it work?
Established in 1980 by the pioneers of IVF, Bourn Hall Fertility Clinic has been helping families grow for over four decades. We understand that starting IVF can feel like a big step, and we’re here to guide you through it. Here’s what the process looks like when you choose Bourn Hall Fertility Clinic.
Step 1 – Stimulating your ovaries
Your IVF journey begins with medication designed to gently encourage your ovaries to produce multiple eggs, rather than the single egg that naturally develops each month. This helps increase the chance of creating healthy, good-quality embryos (fertilised eggs).
You’ll visit your local Bourn Hall clinic for scans and blood tests, usually up to four times, so we can carefully monitor your progress and adjust your treatment if needed.
Step 2 – Collecting your eggs
Once your eggs are ready, we’ll invite you in for a short ultrasound-guided procedure to collect them. This is carried out under light sedation by one of our experienced clinicians and typically takes around 30 minutes. Immediately afterwards, your eggs are passed directly to our on-site embryology lab for the next stage.
Step 3 – Preparing the sperm sample
A semen sample is usually provided on the same day, most often through masturbation in a private, comfortable setting. Our embryologists then prepare the sample in the lab, selecting the healthiest sperm to maximise the chances of successful fertilisation.
Step 4 – Fertilising the eggs
The selected sperm are carefully introduced to the eggs in a controlled culture dish. Fertilisation usually occurs naturally over the following 18 hours, as the embryos begin to develop.
Next steps
Step 5 – Monitoring embryo development
Our embryologists closely monitor the fertilised eggs as they grow over the next few days. Using advanced microscopy, we assess the quality of each embryo to identify the strongest candidates for transfer. Any embryos not used in this cycle can be frozen for future treatment, giving you more options down the road.
Step 6 – Embryo transfer
One or two embryos are gently transferred into your womb using a soft, thin catheter. This quick and straightforward procedure usually doesn’t require anaesthetic. Throughout, we’ll explain each step clearly to help you feel comfortable and fully supported.
Step 7 – Taking a pregnancy test
Eighteen days after egg collection, you’ll take a pregnancy test. If it’s positive, we’ll invite you back for an early pregnancy scan about three weeks later to make sure everything is progressing well.
Is IVF right for me?
IVF might be a good option for you if:
- You have unexplained fertility challenges or your partner has male factor infertility (problems with sperm count, quality or movement) or
- Your fallopian tubes are blocked or damaged
- Other treatments, such as ovulation induction (OI) or intrauterine insemination (IUI), haven’t been successful
Sometimes, sperm need a little extra help to fertilise the egg. In these cases, we may suggest intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI), where a single, healthy sperm is carefully selected and injected directly into the egg.
IVF is usually suitable for those aged under 44 using their own eggs. If you’re 44 or older, we may recommend considering donated eggs or embryos to improve your chances.
No matter your situation, we’ll guide you through your options and work with you to create a personalised treatment plan tailored just for you.
What next?
Why choose us for your IVF treatment?
At Bourn Hall, IVF is more than just a treatment – it’s a compassionate, personalised journey supported by some of the UK’s leading fertility experts. As the world’s first IVF clinic, we’ve helped bring more than 25,000 babies into the world and continue to pioneer advancements in fertility care.
When you choose Bourn Hall for your IVF treatment, you’ll benefit from:
- Expert consultants and embryologists supporting you throughout
- Tailored treatment plans designed around your unique needs and goals
- Strong success rates across all age groups
- Convenient clinic locations throughout the East of England
- Emotional and wellbeing support, including counselling and nutrition guidance
- Clear pricing and flexible finance options
We’re dedicated to giving you the best possible chance of success – with expert care, honest advice and kindness.
Book your IVF treatment today
Taking the first step towards IVF can feel like a big decision, but you don’t have to make it alone. Our team is here to support you with expert guidance, personalised care and a clear treatment plan tailored to your needs.
Whether you’re starting your IVF journey for the first time or returning after previous treatment, we’ll help you feel confident, informed and supported throughout.
Book a consultation today, and let’s begin this journey together.
Flexible Pricing Options
To help make your treatment affordable and achievable, we offer fixed price treatment package options and a variety of finance solutions for patients looking to spread all or part of the cost of their treatment.
Explore our prices
Discover our prices and finance options, making treatments more accessible for you.
Book a 15 minute Discovery call
Schedule a Discovery call to find out which tests and treatments are right for you.
Fertility funding partners we work with:
We’re incredibly proud of our success rates
At Bourn Hall, you can be assured of the best chances of having a baby within the shortest possible time. If you are under 35, you have a 73%* chance of falling pregnant within one year.
*Data from 2021
Younger than 35
If you are under 35, you have a 73% chance of falling pregnant within one year.
35 to 39 years old
If you are 35-37 years old and you continue treatment with Bourn Hall, you have a 63% (50% for 38-39 year olds) chance of getting pregnant (pregnancy seen on scan) within one year.
40+ years old
If you are a female aged over 40 and you continue treatment with Bourn Hall, you have about a 25% chance of getting pregnant within one year.
We provide world-class support throughout the fertility journey.
As one of the UK’s top fertility treatment centres, our values ensure we put our patients first.
Passion
Adaptability
Commitment
Teamwork and Collaboration
Our excellence in fertility treatment
1978
The world's first IVF baby
1980
Year founded by IVF pioneers
25000
Babies born through Bourn Hall
Patient reviews you can trust
Genuine experiences from real patients. See why so many trust us with their fertility care.
“We went to an open evening at Bourn Hall Wickford and came away feeling really positive about the place. The staff were really friendly and the presentation was clear about the statistics regarding success rates and live birth rates; their data was very transparent. We came away feeling like we would really be looked after.”
Katy and Leigh are parents to Charlie after IVF
Patient 2023
“We chose to make an appointment at Bourn Hall Wickford because of the favourable reviews. When we got there and met the staff they were just so lovely, making us feel welcome and explaining to us what tests would need to be done and what our options were; we just thought ‘yes, let’s get the ball rolling!”
Jess and Fran are mums to Nathan after IVF with donor sperm
Patient 2023
Your Stories
Our patients are at the heart of everything we do, and we are always inspired by the success stories they have to share. Hear directly from our previous patients as they share their unique journeys to parenthood.
Shared Motherhood Journey: Jessica & Orlagh
Jessica and Orlagh’s path to becoming parents wasn’t straightforward, but through treatment at Bourn Hall, their dream…
Rebecca and Tadeusz’s journey to parenthood was long and challenging
Rebecca and Tadeusz’s journey to parenthood was long and challenging. After seven attempts and multiple chemical miscarriages,…
It is not your fault. Be kind to yourself
At Bourn Hall, we often say that every family’s path to parenthood is unique, and some are…
Our Fertility Events
Join our experts at a range of events including support groups, webinars and open evenings.
Learn more about the options available to you, from fertility tests to treatments, and find answers to any questions you might have.
Related Content
If you qualify for NHS-funded fertility treatment under the NHS Norfolk and Waveney Integrated Care Board, our fertility diagnostic pathway is the same as the services offered by your local NHS hospital but with much shorter waiting times and in an environment dedicated to fertility services.
Our male couples fertility testing package includes semen analysis tests for you both, a free 30-minute consultation with our fertility nutritionist and a private consultation.
We offer fertility health and wellbeing packages at our clinics in Cambridge, Norwich, Wickford, or at home. Our male package includes a semen analysis, a free 30-minute consultation with our fertility nutritionist, and personalised doctor-written report explaining your results.
Our female couples fertility testing package includes options to provide you both with results on your fertility. These include AMH blood tests for ovarian reserve; TSH to assess your thyroid stimulating hormone; an ultrasound scan; and personalised doctor-written report explaining your results.
Our female package includes the option of AMH blood tests for ovarian reserve; TSH to assess your thyroid stimulating hormone, an ultrasound scan; and personalised doctor-written report explaining your results. Additionally, we include a free 30-minute consultation with our fertility nutritionist to provide you with nutrition and lifestyle advice.
For heterosexual couples, our female and male fertility testing package includes the option of semen analysis; AMH blood tests for ovarian reserve; TSH to assess your thyroid stimulating hormone; ultrasound scan; and personalised doctor-written report explaining your results.
Once you’ve made the decision to extend your family, even thinking that you might have a fertility issue can be stressful. And for a man, the thought that your sperm might not be in tip-top condition is definitely a cause for concern.
Frequently asked questions
Your questions answered. Find clarity on every step of your fertility journey.