IVF treatment in Perth:
What to expect and how it all works
Is this normal?
If you’re thinking about IVF, you’ve probably already been through a lot. You might have been trying to conceive for longer than expected. Maybe other fertility treatments haven’t worked. Or maybe you’ve been told IVF is your next step because of something specific like blocked tubes, endometriosis or low sperm count.
However you’ve arrived here, I want you to know that it’s completely valid to feel uncertain. IVF can be a big step, and there’s a lot to take in. My aim is to help you understand what’s involved, what your options are, and how it all works here in Perth.
Understanding
What is IVF?
IVF stands for in vitro fertilisation. It’s a type of fertility treatment where your ovaries are stimulated with hormone medication to produce more eggs than usual in one ‘normal’ menstrual cycle. Those eggs are then collected and fertilised with sperm in a lab. If embryos develop, one may be transferred into your uterus.
IVF is one of the main fertility treatments I offer here in Perth. It can help with a wide range of fertility challenges and is also used by people using donor eggs, sperm or embryos, or those wanting to preserve their fertility before medical treatment.
Dr Tamara Hunter
A little about me
I’m a Gynaecologist and CREI-certified Fertility Specialist. This means I’ve completed the highest recognised level of training in reproductive endocrinology and infertility in Australia and New Zealand.
I’m also the Medical Director at Monash IVF West Leederville. I work alongside a team who really understands how complex and emotional the IVF process can be. All of your appointments and procedures—like egg collection and embryo transfer—happen at Monash IVF Perth, so everything is in one place. That consistency can make a big difference when things feel a bit overwhelming.
Why IVF might be recommended
IVF is not the first step for most people. If you’re under 35 and have been trying to conceive for less than 12 months (or under 6 months if you’re over 35), there’s often still time to keep trying naturally. I usually start by looking at things like your cycle, ovulation, sperm health, and timing. In some cases, simple changes or support around lifestyle, weight, or stress can also improve your chances to fall pregnant.
But if you’ve been trying for a while and things still aren’t happening, or if there’s a known reason it might be harder to conceive, IVF may be something to start discussing.
It’s one of the options I consider when there are things like:
- Blocked or damaged fallopian tubes
- Endometriosis
- Low sperm count or poor sperm motility
- Unexplained infertility
- Age-related decline in egg quality
- Primary ovarian insufficiency (often using donor eggs)
- Recurrent miscarriage
- Fertility preservation before cancer treatment
- Same-sex couples or single parents using donor sperm or eggs
- When other fertility treatments haven’t worked, e.g. ovulation induction or intrauterine insemination
The IVF process in Perth
IVF usually takes place over a few weeks. Everyone’s situation is different, but here’s what the process typically looks like when you’re going through a cycle.
Step 1: Getting started
It begins with a detailed consultation to explore your history, answer questions, and talk about whether IVF is the right next step. If you decide to move ahead, you’ll have a few tests to help guide the plan. These usually include:
- Blood tests to check hormone levels and ovarian reserve
- An ultrasound to look at the ovaries and uterus
- A semen analysis, if relevant
- Any other checks based on your health and history
- Expanded Carrier Screening
The goal is to make sure everything is clearly mapped out before your cycle begins.
Step 2: Ovarian stimulation
You’ll give yourself daily hormone injections for about 8 to 14 days. Before you start, the fertility nurse will show you exactly how to do them and answer any questions, so you feel comfortable and confident. These medications encourage your ovaries to grow multiple follicles, each of which may contain an egg.
During this phase, you’ll come in for regular blood tests and ultrasounds so we can see how things are progressing. If we need to adjust your medication, we can tweak the dose to give your cycle the best chance of success.
Step 3: Egg collection
Once your follicles have grown to the right size, it’s time for your egg collection. This is a short procedure that I perform at Monash IVF Perth, done under short general anaesthetic or deep sedation, so you’re comfortable throughout. It usually takes about 20 to 30 minutes.
You’ll rest for a little while afterward and then head home later the same day. Most people take it easy for the rest of the day, and many feel back to normal by the next morning.
Step 4: Fertilisation
In the lab, the collected eggs are combined with sperm. This may be done through standard IVF or ICSI, where a single sperm is injected into each egg. The fertilised eggs are then monitored for several days as they develop into embryos.
Step 5: Embryo transfer
If embryos develop, I perform the embryo transfer at Monash IVF West Leederville, usually five days after your egg collection. It’s a simple, quick procedure that feels a lot like a pap smear. There’s no need for sedation, and you can head home shortly afterward.
Any embryos not transferred can be frozen for future use, as long as they’re suitable for storage.
Step 6: The wait
About 10 to 12 days after your embryo transfer, you’ll have a blood test to check if implantation has occurred. I know this part can feel like the longest wait of all. There’s a lot of hope wrapped up in those days, and it’s completely normal to feel anxious or unsettled. Whether you turn to your partner, a close friend, or a counsellor, having support around you can really help you get through it.
Risks of IVF
IVF treatment Perth
IVF cost Perth: What does treatment involve financially?
One of the most common questions I hear is, “How much does IVF cost in Australia and what if it doesn’t work?”
It’s such a valid concern. IVF isn’t just a medical treatment. It’s an emotional and financial commitment, and I completely understand how important it is to have clarity before deciding what to do next.
The cost of IVF in Perth can vary depending on what your treatment involves. This might include whether donor eggs or sperm are needed, whether you’re freezing embryos, and what you’re eligible to claim through Medicare.
Before you begin, you’ll receive a full breakdown of what’s involved so you can plan and feel informed. This may include:
Consultations and any pre-treatment testing
Medications used during the stimulation phase
Egg collection and lab work
Embryo transfer
Freezing and storage (if embryos are suitable to freeze)
Optional services like genetic testing
You’ll also be able to speak with someone from our team who can walk you through costs, payment options and rebates. I encourage you to ask as many questions as you need. These conversations are part of the process, and I honour the fact that this decision isn’t just clinical—it’s personal.
IVF Perth
Understanding IVF success rates
One of the most important things to know about IVF is that it can improve your chances of falling pregnant, but it isn’t a guarantee. No treatment can promise a 100% success rate.
Before starting IVF, I always take the time to talk through what success might look like for you based on your age, health, medical history and test results. This helps create realistic expectations and supports decision-making throughout the process.
Success rates can vary from person to person. Some people fall pregnant on their first cycle. For others, it may take more than one attempt, and in some cases, even with good-quality embryos, pregnancy doesn’t occur.
I know this part can feel especially hard to talk about, but it matters. My goal is to make sure you feel fully informed, supported and prepared, whatever the outcome.
Infertility stories
What people are saying
Here are some reflections I often hear from patients who’ve been through IVF:
- “The injections were easier than I expected once I got into a routine.”
- “The waiting between stages was harder than the procedures themselves.”
- “Our first round didn’t work, but it gave us clarity for what to do next.”
People often ask me: what is the best IVF clinic in Perth?
Choosing where to start IVF is a big decision—emotionally, financially and logistically. It’s completely natural to want to feel confident about who you’re trusting with something so personal.
While I can’t compare clinics or tell you where is “best”, I can share a bit about my own approach and where I work. I’m the Medical Director at Monash IVF West Leederville, which is part of the Monash IVF Group, a group with a long history in fertility care. In fact, Monash IVF achieved the world’s first IVF pregnancy in 1973 and has continued to be involved in advancing fertility care ever since.
Our Perth clinic previously operated under a different name, but the team has been supporting local patients for many years. The rebrand reflects our connection to the broader Monash IVF network, which brings together scientific expertise, national research and a strong focus on patient care.
At our West Leederville clinic, everything happens in one location: consultations, egg collection, embryo transfer and lab work. This helps create consistency and a sense of calm in what can often feel like a whirlwind process.
If you’re looking for an IVF clinic in Perth, I always encourage people to start with a consultation. That first conversation can help you ask the questions that really matter to you, and see whether the clinic feels like the right fit.
Fertility specialist Perth
Let’s talk about your next steps
Here’s what you can do now:
- Talk to your GP. They can refer you or order some early tests.
- Book a consultation with me. I’m here to answer your questions, go through your history, and explore your options.
- Give yourself space and support. This is a big decision, and it’s okay to take it one step at a time.
If you’re considering IVF in Perth, or simply want to understand your fertility options, I’d be happy to help you explore what’s right for you.
- Follow me on Instagram for educational content and women’s health conversations.
- Book a consultation if you’d like to talk things through. I offer appointments at The Woom (West Perth) or Monash IVF (West Leederville). Fertility treatments, when needed, are done at Monash IVF West Leederville.
- Download a symptom tracker to bring along to your GP or specialist appointment. As a founder of Charli.health, I’ve worked on a symptom tracker designed to help you log your cycle and symptoms. It’s a simple tool you can use to support conversations with your healthcare team.