Fertility treatments, IVF & conception care
Building a family doesn’t always come easy. Whether your fertility challenges are straightforward or complex, together we’ll figure out a plan that feels right for you.
In vitro fertilization (IVF)
In vitro fertilization (IVF) is a highly advanced technique and the most commonly performed assisted reproductive technology. Initially developed to help with tubal infertility, IVF is now recommended in a variety of situations when simpler treatment options such as timed intercourse and IUI didn’t lead to pregnancy.
Minimal Ovarian Stimulation IVF (Mini-IVF)
Our team is experienced in providing Mini-IVF, which may be recommended for women with lower ovarian reserve. Mini-IVF can result in greater egg yields than conventional In Vitro Fertilization (IVF), and requires less medication and lower medication costs.
Intrauterine insemination (IUI)
IUI or artificial insemination is a procedure that involves the insertion of sperm into the uterus or cervix to achieve pregnancy.
IUI using a partner’s sperm may be recommended to you if you’re experiencing mild male factor infertility, mild endometriosis, or difficulty conceiving even after ovarian stimulation.
IUI using a donor’s sperm can be explored for single women, same-sex female or FAAB couples, couples in which a partner has severed male factor infertility, and in certain cases where a partner has certain genetic disorders in their family history.
In the case that donor sperm might be recommended to you, rest assured that all donors are rigorously inspected and that donor sperm samples are obtained by a Health Canada-authorized distributor.
How IUI works
Preparing the sperm
On the day of the procedure, the partner or donor sperm sample is collected or thawed, then washed to obtain a concentrate of high-quality sperm.
Insemination
The doctor uses a small, flexible catheter to rapidly insert the washed sperm into your uterus or cervix. We do recommend that patients coming in for an IUI procedure arrive with a full bladder. The process is quick and painless, so you can resume your daily activities. It’s not unusual to experience blood spotting for a few days afterwards.
Blood pregnancy test
After a few weeks, you’ll get a blood pregnancy test to determine whether the procedure was successful.
Ovarian induction
Ovarian induction, also known as superovulation or ovarian stimulation, is a non-invasive technique to produce the maturation of two to three follicles, each containing a mature egg. It consists of hormonal therapy and might be recommended to you if you’ve had trouble conceiving and no obvious fertility challenges have been identified.
Before undergoing ovarian stimulation, the patient’s blood work is done to assess hormone levels, and endovaginal ultrasounds are conducted to examine the ovaries and endometrial lining. These tests are then repeated to monitor progress.
Using an ovulation predictor kit
An ovulation predictor kit helps you track your ovulation progression by detecting the level of luteinizing hormone (LH) in the urine, similar to a urinary pregnancy test. An increased level of LH indicates upcoming ovulation, which is the optimal time to do the IUI procedure.
