In vitro fertilisation (IVF) is the most effective treatment for many forms of infertility. During IVF, eggs are fertilised outside the body in a laboratory setting, after which the embryo is transferred to the uterus. IVF is suitable for both couples and single women, regardless of the cause of infertility.
At Ovumia, you have fast access to treatment—no referral required and no waiting times.
In in vitro fertilisation (IVF), eggs are fertilised with sperm in the laboratory instead of inside the body.
The fertilised eggs are cultured into embryos in an incubator for 2–5 days. One embryo is then transferred to the uterus, where pregnancy can develop.
The method was developed in the 1970s to treat infertility caused by damaged fallopian tubes, but today it is also successfully used in cases of endometriosis, reduced sperm quality, and unexplained infertility.
In a natural cycle, usually only one egg matures.
With IVF, the ovaries are stimulated with hormones so that several follicles develop and the eggs mature at the same time.
Hormone treatment is individually tailored and lasts for about two weeks.
During this period, the treatment is monitored with ultrasound and sometimes blood tests.
You can continue your everyday life as usual—work, exercise, and carry on with normal activities.
💬 Did you know…
IVF can also be performed using donated reproductive cells.
When the eggs are mature, they are collected from the ovaries using a thin needle under ultrasound guidance through the vagina.
The procedure takes about 30 minutes and is performed with local anaesthesia and pain relief.
Typically, around ten eggs are retrieved, although the number varies between patients.
Afterwards, you rest at the clinic for a couple of hours. Because of the pain medication, you should not drive the same day.
The collected eggs are placed together with sperm in a culture dish under carefully controlled laboratory conditions that mimic the body’s natural environment.
Fertilisation and embryo development are closely monitored.
Normally, about 70% of the eggs are fertilised, and 30–50% of these develop into high-quality embryos.
In some cases, microinjection—ICSI (Intracytoplasmic Sperm Injection)—is used.
With ICSI, a single sperm is injected directly into the egg using a very thin pipette under a microscope.
This method is mainly used in cases of male infertility, such as low sperm count or reduced motility.
It may also be used if fertilisation did not occur in previous IVF attempts.
ICSI follows the same basic steps as IVF: hormone stimulation, egg retrieval, and fertilisation in the laboratory.
The results are comparable to those of conventional IVF.
Fertilisation is checked 16–20 hours after eggs and sperm are combined.
Embryos are usually cultured for 5 days until they reach the blastocyst stage, but in some cases transfer is performed after 2–3 days.
The culture strategy is always planned individually based on previous treatments and the patient’s background.
After culture, the highest-quality embryo is selected for transfer to the uterus.
The transfer is performed 2–5 days after fertilisation using a thin catheter under ultrasound guidance.
The procedure is quick and usually painless. To reduce the risk of multiple pregnancy, only one embryo is usually transferred at a time.
Any remaining good-quality embryos are frozen for future treatments or sibling attempts.
The chance of pregnancy after a fresh transfer varies with age, but on average is around 30–40% per attempt.
After the transfer, you receive hormonal support to help the embryo implant in the uterine lining.
A pregnancy test is performed two weeks later, and if positive, an ultrasound is carried out about five weeks after fertilisation—either at Ovumia or at your local clinic.
If you are considering IVF, the first step is to book an initial consultation.
Treatment always begins with a fertility assessment, where we review your background, plan any necessary examinations, and create an individual treatment plan tailored to you.
The price of an IVF treatment starts from SEK 45,000.
Our price list shows current fees and what is included.
If you have questions about costs or reimbursement, you are always welcome to contact your nearest clinic.
The outcomes of infertility treatments and the well-being of children born from these treatments are monitored worldwide. Studies have shown that children conceived through fertility treatments have a higher chance of structural abnormalities compared to those conceived spontaneously. The best-known risks are related to severe male infertility, which may increase the likelihood of cryptorchidism (undescended testes) and urethral structural abnormalities in male offspring. However, when comparing these findings with children conceived without treatment after a long period of trying due to reduced fertility, no similar differences have been observed. Therefore, the slightly increased risks appear to be associated more with the underlying infertility itself rather than with the fertility treatments.
If pregnancy hasn’t occurred after six months of regular trying, it’s a good idea to schedule fertility testing.
Treatment duration depends on many factors and the woman/couple’s
prognosis. After the initial evaluation, we do our best to give a realistic
estimate on how many rounds of treatments may be necessary. Especially
with the light treatment methods (ovulation induction and
insemination), it’s important to understand that the treatment typically may need to be
repeated. With IVF, it may also take several cycles or embryo transfers
before a successful pregnancy is achieved.
In Finland, there is no legal age limit for fertility treatments. At Ovumia clinics in Finland, we treat women under the age of 47. At
our Ovumia Nova Vita clinic in Tallinn, we treat women under the age of 51.
Up to 80–85% of our patients receive help from our fertility treatments. The success rate varies and depends mainly on the woman’s age. Our doctors choose treatment options based on your individual needs to maximize your chances of having a child.
Your doctor will determine the most suitable treatment method after a thorough consultation. During the initial consultation, we
assess possible factors for infertility and perform thorough a medical examination and ultrasound. For men, we recommend a semen analysis if one has never been performed or it has been done over a year ago.
Complications during IVF treatment are very rare. Ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome (OHSS) is a possible complication and occurs in patients who respond strongly to hormone stimulation. Our experienced team closely monitors each patient to minimize the risk of OHSS. If you experience symptoms of overstimulation, such as abdominal swelling or shortness of breath, please contact us immediately for support and further care.
Work
There are no restrictions on working while undergoing IVF treatment. However, we recommend taking the day off on the day of egg retrieval.
Exercise
Light physical activity after egg retrieval or embryo transfer is beneficial. However, we recommend avoiding heavy lifting and high-impact exercise involving jumping or jolting movements.
Sex
We recommend abstaining from sexual intercourse the day before the ovulation trigger injection and for two weeks after egg retrieval, as there is a risk of infection.
Bathing
You are advised to avoid bathing for up to two weeks after egg retrieval due to the risk of infection.
After egg retrieval and hormonal stimulation, the ovaries need time to rest and recover. From a medical perspective, a new treatment cycle should not be started with the first bleeding after treatment. Instead, it is recommended to wait until the next menstrual period. In addition to physical recovery, it is also important to be mentally prepared for another IVF cycle, as each treatment brings new expectations.
Various medications are used during IVF treatment. Your attending physician will prescribe the appropriate medications for you.
Medications may be administered as injections, nasal sprays, tablets, or vaginal suppositories. One of our midwives will provide you with detailed instructions on how to use your prescribed medications.
When you choose us for IVF or any of our other treatments, you can feel confident you are in safe hands. We have extensive experience in fertility treatment and are a leading IVF clinic in Stockholm, Sweden, and Northern Europe. Our staff continually update their training, and we always work with the latest and most advanced technology.
Do you have questions about how we can support you on your journey toward pregnancy? Welcome to contact us — we are a leading IVF clinic in Stockholm.
In Ovumia, we are always ready to help you!