IVF(In-Vitro Fertilisation) Treatment in Singapore – Costs and Packages

What is In-Vitro Fertilization (IVF)?

IVF stands for ‘in-vitro fertilisation’, ‘in-vitro’ means outside the body and fertilisation is the meeting of the egg and sperm. This is an assisted reproductive technology (ART) used to assist conception in couples with a large range of fertility issues. An IVF treatment involves a combination of fertility medications to stimulate multiple follicles (fluid filled sacs in the ovaries containing the eggs) followed by a small surgical procedures to help extract the eggs from the follicles, fertilize them in the lab using the partner’s sperm and then transfer the resulting embryos back into your uterus.

In-Vitro-Fertilisation-(IVF) Illustration

When should I consider IVF treatment?

IVF treatment is done by people experiencing infertility problems if simpler techniques like IUI (intrauterine insemination) are deemed unsuitable or have failed. Our OBGYNS and fertility specialists have several years of experience in fertility treatment and IVF.

IVF is recommended for:

Women with blocked or damaged fallopian tubes
Women with endometriosis
Women with reduced ovarian function or reserve
Women over the age of 40 with reduced fertility
Men with low sperm count or abnormalities in sperm shape
Couples with unexplained infertility issues
Individuals with a known genetic disorder who want to prevent passing it on to their offspring

Speak to our IVF expert today!

SENIOR CONSULTANT OB-GYN, FERTILITY SPECIALIST & MEDICAL DIRECTOR OF ACRM

Dr. YEONG CHENG TOH

BOOK AN APPOINTMENT NOW

Call Us

Email Us

What is the step by step process for IVF Treatment in Singapore?

There are six steps involved in IVF:

Step 1: Stimulation

The IVF process requires multiple eggs being extracted from a woman, as multiple eggs increase the chance of developing into an embryo. As women usually produce one egg during each menstrual cycle, we try to increase the number of eggs produced through fertility drugs. This is achieved by giving the woman daily injections of fertility hormones. There are 2 sets of hormonal injections – one to help multiple eggs develop and another set to prevent these eggs from ovulating. Different women will respond differently to the medications and so there is no one type or dose of medications suitable for every woman. During this phase we need to perform blood tests and ultrasound scans to monitor the response and make dose adjustments if needed.

Step 2: Egg collection or Oocyte Retrieval

Once follicles reach a size of more than 17-18mm, they are deemed mature and after a final trigger shot, the eggs are retrieved. This process is done under general anaesthesia and involves doing a transvaginal scan and using a thin needle vaginally to suction out the eggs from the follicles.

Step 3: Insemination

On the same days as the egg collection, the male partner produces a semen sample, which is then used to fertilize the mature eggs. Sometimes the sperm are injected into the egg- a process called ICSI – intracytoplasmic sperm injection.

Step 4: Embryo culture and assessment

The embryos are cultured in very controlled conditions in the laboratory for 3- 5 days, and daily updates are given to the patients regarding the progress. Not all eggs are mature and not all mature eggs fertilize. All fertilized eggs do not continue to develop into good quality embryos.

Step 5: Embryo transfer

The good quality embryos are then either transferred in the same cycle or more commonly frozen and transferred into the woman’s uterus 1-2 months later. The frozen cycle transfer can be done in a natural cycle – for women for have regular cycles and ovulate by themselves. In others medications are used to prepare the endometrium for the embryo transfer. These medications are continued till the pregnancy test. Usually we recommend transfer of only 1 embryo at a time to minimize the risk of multiple pregnancy and its risks. The surplus embryos are kept frozen and can be used at a later date, hence avoiding the need for another stimulation.

Step 6: Pregnancy test

A blood test is done about 2 weeks after the transfer to determine if pregnancy is successful.

Is IVF legal in Singapore?

Yes, IVF is legal in Singapore, and there is no age limit for women who wish to undergo IVF treatments. However, they must be assessed by their doctor and certified fit to go through 9 months of pregnancy before going ahead with the treatment.

Couples who wish to undergo IVF must be assessed by a fertility specialist to determine their overall reproductive health. We will also conduct tests to identify any underlying causes that may be contributing to your infertility. For women, these tests include blood tests and ultrasound scans. For men, these tests include a semen analysis.

What is the success rate of IVF in Singapore?

The success rate of IVF treatment is dependent on several factors especially the woman’s age:

Age group	Success rate per cycle
<30	50-60%
30-35	30-50%
35-37	20-25%
>40	15% or lower

Conditions such as endometriosis, fibroids, low ovarian reserve or severe semen abnormalities can reduce the success rate of IVF cycles. Some couples may need more than 1 IVF cycle, to fulfil their dream of parenthood.

Are there any side effects of IVF Treatment?

IVF, as with any medical procedure, has its own set of risks and complications. They include:

Multiple pregnancies, which increases the risk of premature birth
Miscarriage
Ectopic pregnancy — this happens when the eggs implant outside the uterus
Ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome (OHSS), a dangerous but rare condition in which the ovaries are over sensitive and respond excessively to the hormones, causing them to enlarge, become painful and result in water retention in the abdomen and rarely in the lungs.
Infection in the pelvis or damage to the bowels and bladder, but this is extremely rare

What is the difference between IVF and surrogacy?

In IVF, the female partner carries the child throughout pregnancy but in surrogacy, a surrogate (another woman) is artificially impregnated to carry the child throughout pregnancy for the couple. This usually happens because the female partner is unable to carry the child due to health reasons or inability to conceive despite ART treatments.

However, the provision of surrogacy services in Singapore is illegal.

If you are having trouble conceiving, you should consult our experienced fertility specialists, who will then order a comprehensive set of tests to determine the exact cause of infertility. Once the cause is known, it will be easier to develop a treatment plan that can help you achieve your dream of becoming parents.