About In Vitro Fertilisation (IVF)

In Vitro Fertilisation (IVF) Treatment in Malaysia:
The Ultimate Guide

IVF Quick Tips:

Procedure length: (Collection of eggs) 20 – 30 minutes
Preparation: Before the procedure, you must fast (no food or liquids allowed). Minimum of 6 hours of fast.
Anaesthesia: Keeps you asleep and pain-free with sedation.
Overnight/ daycare: Daycare. You will need to stay after the procedure.
Complications/Risks of Surgery: The risk is minimal. Mild abdominal discomfort and bloating may occur.
Recovery: Within 30 minutes to an hour after the procedure. For the next 48 hours, do not drive or exercise.

What is In Vitro Fertilisation (IVF)?

IVF (in vitro fertilization) is a fertility treatment that simulates the process of fertilization.

In 1978, the first IVF pregnancy was announced. It gives hope to couples around the world to have children. IVF is an ideal treatment for most causes of infertility.

IVF Treatment in Malaysia

IVF treatment is increasingly common in Malaysia as more than five million IVF babies are born worldwide. It has a patient-friendly process, where you just need to undergo day treatment instead of being warded. With cryo freezing, a single egg harvesting procedure can produce enough embryos for several pregnancies.

IVF Success Rate in Malaysia

IVF success rates has increased along with medical innovation. At reputable fertility clinics such as TMC Fertility Centre, IVF success rates are around 65% – 75%. The success rates here are among the highest in any Asian country.

Some modern technologies also improve pregnancy rates and help detect chromosomal abnormalities in embryos before implantation.

How to Get Started with IVF at TMC Fertility

Step 1: Fertility Screenings

We perform fertility screenings for both spouses to diagnose the root cause of the problem.

All results of our tests are available within 3-4 days. Our fertility specialists will then recommend a personalised treatment plan based on the results.

Step 2: Schedule an Appointment

If treatment options are available, the nurse will arrange an appointment date.

Step 3: Provide You with Advice and Administer Your Medications

Your next appointment will include hormone treatment if you have been prescribed IVF treatment. The nurse will instruct you on how to take your medication daily and provide advice on how to deal with side effects (if any). Over the coming weeks, she will advise you on what to do and what not to do.

Step 4: Attend a Follow-up Appointment

If you are an international patient, you can perform the initial hormone tests in your home country and email the results to us. After that, you can visit our specialist between Days 21 and 23 of your cycle for all tests, assessments, and treatment prescriptions. You can return to your home country within the same day or the next day. In 2-6 weeks, you’ll need to return to the clinic for scans to see how your follicles are doing.

The egg or oocyte will be collected three days after the second scan if all goes well. After another five days, the embryos will be transferred back to the mother. Before returning home, you should rest for approximately three to five days. This stay is about 12 days or more.

IVF Cost in Malaysia

A standard IVF procedure will depend on your individual needs. Do contact our Patient Careline for the latest IVF pricing and packages.

A standard IVF package will include:

  • Up to 4 specialist consultations and ultrasound scanning.
  • Anaesthetist and IVF planning fees.
  • Laboratory fees: ICSI, Blastocyst culture, and Oocyte pick-up.
  • Options for either Fresh or Frozen Embryo Transfer.

Also, you can finance your IVF treatment through the financial aid provided by EPF to reduce your financial burden.

How to Select the Best IVF Treatment in Malaysia?

Many patients choose IVF treatment in Malaysia based solely on its cost, which can hinder your dreams of becoming a parent.

IVF cost is important, but you must also take into account IVF treatment quality, success rates, the doctor’s capabilities, and overall clinic standards when selecting the best IVF treatment in Malaysia.

TMC Fertility in Malaysia is one of the pioneers of IVF treatments in Malaysia with a team of experienced fertility specialists & embryologists, superior patient support services, affordable packages, and world-class IVF facilities.

IVF Procedure

IVF, or In Vitro Fertilization, is a type of Assisted Reproductive Technology (ART) that helps people conceive by fertilizing an egg with sperm outside the body.

Here’s a simplified breakdown of the IVF process:

  1. Ovulation Stimulation: Fertility medications are used to stimulate the ovaries and encourage the development of multiple eggs instead of the usual single egg released during a natural cycle.
  2. Egg Retrieval: Through a minimally invasive procedure with ultrasound guidance, a thin needle is inserted to collect mature eggs from the ovaries.
  3. Sperm Collection: A semen sample is collected from the male partner.
  4. Fertilization: In a lab dish, sperm and eggs are combined. In some cases, a procedure called Intracytoplasmic Sperm Injection (ICSI) might be used, where a single sperm is directly injected into an egg.
  5. Embryo Development: The fertilized eggs (embryos) are monitored for cell division and development over several days in a controlled laboratory environment.
  6. Embryo Transfer: One or more healthy embryos are chosen and carefully inserted into the woman’s uterus through a thin catheter.
  7. Implantation and Pregnancy: If implantation occurs, meaning the embryo attaches to the uterine lining, a pregnancy can develop.
  8. Pregnancy Test: After a waiting period, a pregnancy test is performed to confirm if the IVF cycle was successful.

The entire IVF process typically takes 4-6 weeks for one cycle, but the overall journey, including consultations, testing, and potentially multiple cycles, can take several months. It’s important to note that this is a general overview, and specific details may vary depending on your individual situation and the fertility clinic’s protocol.

The History of Assisted Conception and In Vitro Fertilisation (IVF)

It was Robert Edwards and Patrick Steptoe, colleagues at King’s College, London, who first used in vitro fertilisation (IVF) in the 1960s. At the time, scientists had already experimented with animal fertilisation outside the body with promising results. Edwards and Steptoe realised that IVF would be of great benefit to couples who were unable to conceive.

During that time, Edwards and Steptoe struggled to get their research recognised, let alone funded since the practice was considered controversial. In 1978, they successfully delivered the first IVF baby girl, Louise Brown, in Oldham, United Kingdom. The following year, they delivered the first IVF baby boy, Alaistair Macdonald.

A Look Back in Time

During those days, women who underwent IVF treatment were kept secret for their safety since the procedure was still deemed to be too extreme by the general public. After the success stories spread through the medical world in 1980 and 1981, other hospitals across Australia and the United States soon hopped on. However, treatment was incredibly expensive, and not everyone could afford it.

Despite all efforts, the success rate stood at 12%. Therefore, several IVF attempts were necessary before achieving a successful pregnancy. After egg harvesting, women had to be hospitalised for two weeks so doctors could monitor their hormone levels through urine tests and adopt awkward physical positions. There was an enormous amount of interest, and couples with a burning desire to have children were expected to wait a long time.

Increased Success Rates in IVF

As medical technologies have advanced, success rates have risen as well. Success rates at recognised fertility centres, such as TMC Fertility Centre, have risen to 65% – 75%. As well as enabling couples to improve their pregnancy chances, utilizing highly sophisticated technologies such as Pre implantation Genetic Testing (PGT) can also help prevent the passing of chromosomal abnormalities such as Down’s Syndrome (Trisomy 21), Patau Syndrome and others.

IVF – FAQs

What is infertility?

When a woman cannot achieve pregnancy after having sex without protection for at least a year, she is said to be infertile. You may need to seek medical advice if you experience this to determine the underlying cause and plan the appropriate treatment.

What causes infertility?

Among the major causes of infertility are women cannot ovulate regularly, have blocked or damaged fallopian tubes, and have known medical conditions like endometriosis or PCOS.

Poor-quality semen is the most common reason for men to be subfertile.

How does IVF work?

The most common assisted reproduction technology (ART) method is in vitro fertilisation (IVF).

An IVF procedure involves surgically removing an egg from the woman’s body and then fertilising it in a laboratory using her partner’s sperm. An embryo is then surgically transferred into the woman’s womb after the fertilised egg reaches a specific growth called the blastocyst.

Is IVF right for me?

Several factors determine a patient’s suitability for IVF treatment. Generally, couples with the following symptoms qualify for the treatment:

  • Low sperm counts
  • Endometriosis
  • Fallopian tube or uterus problems
  • Ovulation disorders
  • The cervical mucus is incapable of penetrating or sustaining sperm
  • Other health or reproductive issues that are unexplained

Consult with TMC Fertility to find out if in vitro fertilisation (IVF) is the best option for you.

Which IVF clinic has the highest success rate in Malaysia?

TMC Fertility is one of the most renowned fertility centres in Malaysia and has some of the highest success rates (65%) in not only Asia but also beating the averages of the UK and Australia.

Aside from age, success rates with IVF also depend on a person’s weight, infertility diagnosis, sperm count, and reproductive history, including the previous number of pregnancies, miscarriages, and births.

What is the length of the IVF process?

An IVF cycle takes about 4 to 6 weeks, according to your treatment plan and how your body responds to the medication.

How much does an IVF cost in Malaysia?

The average cost of IVF in Malaysia is around RM14,000.00 to RM16,000.00, depending on the woman’s age, hormonal balance, BMI, and medications required. The cost of IVF treatment is fairly low if you consult an experienced fertility centre early on.

We offer affordable packages and pricing as well as financial aid such as instalment plans to ease the financial burden of our patients.

*The above pricing was accurate at the time of writing; however, it may change at the time of treatment. Patients are encouraged to follow the updated pricing at the time of IVF treatment.

Can you tell me how I will feel during my IVF treatment?

You may feel tired due to increased estrogen levels caused by the additional eggs you produce when you take hormone medicines to stimulate your ovaries. You may experience slight mood swings, breast tenderness, and bloating. You may continue with your daily routine but stay away from heavy exercise and high-impact sports.

What are the risks associated with IVF?

In general, IVF is a relatively safe process. An abnormal response of the ovaries to a woman’s stimulation can cause them to enlarge and may result in Ovarian Hyper-Stimulation Syndrome (OHSS). While this can happen to about 3% of women who undergo IVF/ICSI, it is usually minimal and is easy to manage. In most cases, it can also be predicted and prevented.

Is the IVF technique harmful to my ovaries?

Research does not seem to suggest that ultrasound egg retrieval adversely affects the ovaries. There are no signs of cancer, menopause, or sexual dysfunction after ultrasound egg retrieval.

Is IVF treatment going to require me to take leave?

After egg collection and embryo transfer, you will usually be given a few days of medical leave. By taking bed rest, you do not increase your chances of becoming pregnant after IVF or ICSI. However, to be safe, you should rest for 48 hours after transferring the embryos back into your womb.

Do I need to follow a strict diet or lifestyle during fertility treatment?

The period before conception may be an excellent time to prepare for a healthy pregnancy.

Make sure you eat a healthy diet, increase vitamin and mineral intake, and stay hydrated. Avoid alcohol, caffeine, and other harmful substances. You should stop smoking if you plan to do IVF, as studies have shown that smoking can damage your eggs and sperm. You may be able to improve your chances of success if you keep a positive attitude towards the process.

Payment Terms

Payment is done on a progressive basis with the completion of each stage of the treatment. Payment can be made via cash or major credit cards.

International Care Line No.

TMC Fertility has a team of committed multilingual Patient Services liaisons to assist you during every step of your journey with us

+6018 2111 088