Referral to reproductive centre 

The Reproductive Centre at Uppsala University Hospital carries out investigations into involuntary childlessness. We also perform most types of fertility treatment, such as ovulation stimulation, inseminations, IVF treatments and egg and sperm donation treatments. We also accept patients who need fertility preservation measures.

In case of urgent need for fertility preservation measures, telephone contact must be made and a referral sent electronically or faxed as soon as possible.

Telephone to the laboratory: 018-611 57 73 
Secretary: 018-617 24 38 
Fax: 018-55 12 41

Publicly funded IVF treatment

According to the national guidelines, which also apply in Uppsala County, publicly funded IVF treatment can be offered to couples who:

• have been in a stable relationship for at least 2 years and are registered at the same address.
• do not have children in common.
• where the woman is under 40 and the man is under 56.

Publicly funded IVF treatment can be offered to single women who:

• are not married or cohabiting.
• do not have previous children.
• are under 40 years old at the time of treatment.

Public funding can be provided for a maximum of three IVF treatments with fresh retrieval, or six inseminations with donated sperm. As obesity negatively affects treatment and is a risk during pregnancy and labour, it is desirable that women reduce their weight before treatment, where appropriate. The BMI of the woman should ideally be below 28 and must not exceed 35.

Referral information

We accept referrals where a complete or partial infertility investigation has been carried out. In order for us to assess the referrals and choose the appropriate treatment or additional investigation, we would be grateful if as much relevant information as possible is noted on the referral, such as:

• That the basic requirements are met
• Partner's social security number, if applicable
• Infection control samples
• Results of thyroid tests
• Results of any HSSG

Copies of medical records and laboratory results may be attached to the referral.

Contact us

Fatma Gülen Yaldir 
Head of Department

Stavros Iliadis 
Consultant, Medical Director

Long and successful tradition

Women's Health Care at Uppsala University Hospital has a long and successful tradition of treating infertility. Back in the 1950s, Professor Carl Gemzell began to develop the hormone therapy that is now the basis of most treatments, including In vitro fertilisation. Over the years methods have been improved and new ones developed. Today, we can treat almost all causes of infertility, including cases where donor eggs or sperm need to be used. In addition, we can offer fertility preservation treatment, in the form of freezing of sperm, fertilised or unfertilised eggs, before starting treatment for cancer or other diseases with chemotherapy or radiation.

Our services

The unit includes a clinic, laboratory and care unit. Our doctors, midwives, biomedical analysts, nurses, secretaries and our counsellor have years of experience working with childless couples.

We are committed to providing patients with a personalised service in a relaxed and stress-free environment, and our aim is for patients to feel involved in their assessment and treatment. Development and research are part of the Reproductive Centre's activities and we ensure that our treatment methods are constantly evolving in line with new findings.

Quality work

Active research and development is carried out and the Reproduction Centre's management system is certified to ISO9001 and we are audited annually by DNV-GL. We report treatments and results to the Q-IVF quality register annually. The fertility laboratory is a tissue establishment and is therefore audited by the IVO.

Quality and development work helps to ensure that our treatment methods are constantly evolving in line with new findings. We have good results and are in the top tier for open comparisons and quality measurements.

You can read more about current research on the Uppsala University website: Department of Women's and Children's Health (uu.se).

Our laboratory

The laboratory employs embryologists who take care of all aspects of laboratory services.

The work includes:

• IVF/ICSI treatments
• Freezing and thawing of embryos
• Semen analyses at assessment and after vasectomy
• Sperm preparation for insemination
• Fertility preservation measures for men and women
• Work with sperm donor bank
• Research, development, training for doctors, midwives and BMAs
• Quality work according to ISO standards

The work requires the utmost care because eggs and sperm are very sensitive and must be grown in body-safe conditions in specialised heating cabinets. They are also very small (about 1/10 mm in diameter) and are only visible under a microscope. 

The cultivation system

Eggs and embryos are cultured under controlled conditions in heat cabinets that maintain a physiological environment. Our heating cabinets have an around the clock monitoring system. If the temperature in the heating cabinet deviates from the acceptable level, the system sends an alarm to the responsible staff.

Embryo development

Fertilisation of the egg is visible by the simultaneous appearance of the nucleus of the egg and the nucleus of the sperm approximately 16-18 hours after fertilisation. After that, the nuclei disappear and the fertilised egg prepares for cell division. After two rounds of division, about two days after egg retrieval, the embryo consists in most cases of four cells.

Embryo transfer is usually performed on day 2-3 after egg retrieval. By then, most embryos are at the 4-8 cell stage. Embryos that fulfil certain morphological criteria can be frozen.

Embryos not eligible for frozen storage at the time of embryo transfer are further cultured and assessed for the possibility of frozen storage 2-3 days later. If freezing is possible, the patient will be informed by letter. In this way, we make sure that we preserve all the viable embryos, which are left after the egg retrieval, for the patient.