Home Treatments
IVF, ICSI and IUI treatment
We look after couples from the first tests to the pregnancy test. Here is what each treatment involves, in plain words. Your doctor will explain what fits your situation.
Fertility tests
Both partners are seen at the first consultation, because fertility problems can come from either side.
- For her: an ultrasound scan to look at the womb and ovaries. Blood tests such as AMH and FSH may be advised to check egg supply and hormone levels.
- For him: a semen analysis to check the number, movement and shape of the sperm.
The consultation, the scan and the semen analysis are free.
IUI (intrauterine insemination)
Sperm is washed and concentrated in the laboratory, then placed in the womb through a thin, soft tube around the time of ovulation. It takes a few minutes and does not need anaesthetic.
IUI is simpler than IVF. It is usually suggested when the fallopian tubes are open and the sperm is healthy.
IVF (in vitro fertilisation)
In Pakistan, IVF is often called test tube baby treatment. Eggs are collected and fertilised with sperm in our laboratory, and embryos are then placed in the womb.
In Pakistan, IVF costs Rs 80,000 from consultation to embryo transfer, with medicines charged separately. For families from the UK, USA, Europe and Hong Kong it costs £800, including medicines and embryo freezing. See costs.
Medicines to grow eggs
Treatment usually starts on the second day of the period, with about ten days of hormone injections. Ultrasound scans check how the eggs are growing.
Egg collection
A fine needle guided by ultrasound collects the eggs. After a short rest you can go home the same day.
Fertilisation
In the laboratory, the eggs are placed with sperm, or injected with sperm by ICSI.
Embryo transfer
Three to five days later, one or more embryos are placed in the womb through a thin tube. This does not usually need anaesthetic.
Pregnancy test
About 10 to 14 days after the transfer.
Transferring more than one embryo raises the chance of twins or triplets, which carries higher risks for mother and babies. Your doctor will talk to you about how many embryos to transfer.
ICSI (intracytoplasmic sperm injection)
In ICSI, an embryologist injects a single sperm into each egg. The rest of the treatment is the same as IVF.
It is often used when the sperm count or movement is low, or when eggs did not fertilise in an earlier cycle. ICSI costs the same as IVF.
Freezing
Embryos, eggs and sperm can be frozen in our laboratory and used later.
Embryos
Good embryos that are not transferred can be frozen and used later, without another egg collection. A frozen embryo transfer, including freezing and thawing, costs Rs 10,000.
Eggs
Eggs can be frozen for later use.
Sperm
Sperm can be frozen for later use. Sperm freezing is free.
Our laboratory
IVF, ICSI and freezing take place in our own embryology laboratory at the hospital, run by senior embryologists.
Video consultations
You can begin with a video consultation with our team, wherever you live, and come to Mirpur for tests and treatment.
Support during treatment
Fertility treatment can be hard on both partners. Our trained staff guide and counsel couples through each step, and Dr Anjum sees couples with complex or difficult cases himself.
What we do not offer
- Donor eggs, donor sperm or surrogacy. Treatment uses only the couple’s own eggs and sperm.
- Genetic testing of embryos.
- Pregnancy care after treatment. Your pregnancy is looked after by your own gynaecologist, and delivery can be arranged through our partner hospitals.
When to get help after treatment
These can be signs of ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome (OHSS), a reaction to fertility medicines, or of an ectopic pregnancy.
Get emergency help now
Call 1122 in Pakistan or 999 in the UK, or go to an emergency department, if you have difficulty breathing, pain in your chest, severe pain in your tummy, pain in the tip of your shoulder, fainting, or you are passing much less urine than usual.
Contact us straight away
Call or WhatsApp us on +92 348 335 6595 (answered until 8pm) if you have tummy pain or bloating, feel sick or are vomiting, or have vaginal bleeding after treatment. After 8pm, or if you cannot reach us, go to an emergency department. In the UK you can also call NHS 111.
Sources for the general medical information on this page
These organisations do not regulate or endorse MCI.