FAQs- IVF & ICSI

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

IVF/ICSI Treatment

What is the difference between IVF and ICSI?

IVF (In Vitro Fertilization) involves placing eggs and sperm together in a laboratory dish and allowing fertilization to occur naturally. ICSI (Intracytoplasmic Sperm Injection) involves injecting a single sperm directly into each egg under a microscope. ICSI is recommended when there is male factor infertility, low sperm count, poor motility, abnormal morphology, or previous fertilization failure with standard IVF.

How much does IVF treatment cost in Dubai?

IVF treatment at Best Life Fertility Centre costs between USD 6,500 and USD 8,000 per cycle. This depends on your individual protocol and whether additional procedures such as ICSI, embryo freezing, or genetic testing (PGT-A) are required. Medications are an additional cost and vary based on your response to stimulation. We offer transparent pricing and package options — visit our Packages page for details.

How long does one IVF cycle take?

A full IVF cycle takes approximately 2 to 3 weeks from the start of ovarian stimulation to the embryo transfer. The stimulation phase lasts 10–12 days, followed by egg retrieval, fertilization, and a 5–6 day embryo culture period before transfer. A frozen embryo transfer (FET) in a subsequent cycle takes approximately 2 additional weeks.

How many eggs do I need for a successful IVF cycle?

There is no fixed number, but retrieving 8–15 mature eggs is generally considered a good response. After fertilization and culture, not all eggs become viable embryos — on average, around 50–70% of mature eggs will fertilize, and 30–50% will develop to the blastocyst stage suitable for transfer or freezing.

Is the egg retrieval procedure painful?

Egg retrieval is performed under sedation or light anaesthesia, so you will not feel pain during the procedure. Some patients experience mild cramping or bloating in the hours following retrieval, which typically resolves within 1–2 days. The procedure itself takes approximately 20–30 minutes.

How many embryos will be transferred?

At Best Life Fertility Centre, we follow evidence-based guidelines and typically recommend single embryo transfer (SET) for most patients, particularly those under 35 with good-quality embryos. This reduces the risk of multiple pregnancies while maintaining high success rates. In some cases, transferring two embryos may be appropriate based on your clinical profile.

What happens to unused embryos after IVF?

Unused viable embryos can be frozen (cryopreserved) for future use. Frozen embryo transfer (FET) cycles are less intensive than a full IVF cycle and can be used for subsequent pregnancies or if the first transfer is unsuccessful. Our clinic will discuss your embryo storage options fully before and after your cycle.