Gamete Intrafallopian Transfer (GIFT)

GIFT is very similar to IVF treatment in that eggs are collected from the female patient and mixed with sperm from your male partner. However, the only difference with GIFT is that the egg/sperm mix is immediately returned to the fallopian tubes. Fertilisation takes place within the woman's body, rather than in the IVF lab.

GIFT cycle starts pretty much the same way as IVF cycle, in that drugs are given for ovary stimulation, after which the mature eggs are collected. Eggs (around 3) are then combined with sperm straight away. The resulting mixture is then immediately returned to the patients fallopian tubes by laparoscopy.

Laparoscopy involves a small incision in the abdomen, through which a thin instrument, called a laparoscope, is inserted to ensure the mixture is deposited in the right place. The procedure takes place under a local anesthetic and the patient should be able to go home the same day.