Treatments
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In Vitro Fertilization
In Vitro Fertilization (IVF) literally means:
“fertilization in a laboratory.”
This technique started in 1970 with the work of Dr. Patrick Steptoe and Professor Robert Edwards. Since the birth of the first “test-tube” baby, Louise Brown, in 1978, 1.5 million babies have been born throughout the world using in vitro fertilization. The pregnancy rate resulting from this technique has increased much over the last few years, which has increased the number of cycles carried out each year the world.
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Assisted Fertility Techniques – Intra cytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI)Just as in IVF, various transferable embryos can be produced using ICSI. However, as explained previously, due to the risk of multiple pregnancies only 2 or 3 embryos are transferred in Santa María Clinic.
The embryos that are not transferred can be cooled to very low temperatures, frozen and stored in tanks of liquid nitrogen where they can stay frozen ready for future attempts.
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Freezing of Embryos
Just as in IVF, various transferable embryos can be produced using ICSI. However, as explained previously, due to the risk of multiple pregnancies only 2 or 3 embryos are transferred in Santa María Clinic.
The embryos that are not transferred can be cooled to very low temperatures, frozen and stored in tanks of liquid nitrogen where they can stay frozen ready for future attempts.
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Artificial Insemination
This procedure consists of placing a good quantity of “suitable” spermatozoids in the uterus just before ovulation. To do this, we do ecographyc follicular screening, or in other words, transvaginal ultrasounds on specific days of the cycle to determine the best moment to carry out the insemination.
On the chosen day of the insemination, a sperm sample is requested from the partner and using a laboratory process to get the spermatozoids “swimming”, the most suitable ones are selected. More information -
Infertility surgeryIn some cases it is necessary to carry some kind of surgery in order to diagnose or treat some infertility cases. It is generally carried out using an endoscopy (laparoscopy or hysteroscopy video), through very small incisions. This is done on an out-patient basis but that does not mean that hospitalization is not required. It is carried out under general anesthetic and recuperation is quick (5-10 days). More information
We have programs that are tailored to make treatments easier for both local patients and those from abroad.
Santa María Clinic has become a reference center for Assisted Reproduction Techniques at a local and regional level.