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Time-lapse imaging (EmbryoScope)
- More than 75,000 IVF cycles
- The UK's largest private IVF unit
- Before you start your family, visit ours
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Time-lapse imaging at HCA UK
Why choose us?
We're proud of the quality and care behind our embryo incubation methods, which give our patients the best possible chance of success. While time-lapse incubators aren't used in every IVF cycle, we offer access to time-lapse imaging when it may be beneficial.
Our clinicians and embryologists may recommend this path when the detailed timing of embryo development could help with embryo selection. You'll have peace of mind knowing your treatment plan is tailored to your unique circumstances, and we'll always take the time to explain the options that are right for you.
Our clinicians and embryologists may recommend this path when the detailed timing of embryo development could help with embryo selection. You'll have peace of mind knowing your treatment plan is tailored to your unique circumstances, and we'll always take the time to explain the options that are right for you.
In IVF, time-lapse imaging can help us identify the embryos with the best chance of developing into healthy babies. In conventional IVF, embryos are carefully checked once a day under a microscope, which means briefly removing them from the incubator. Time-lapse imaging changes this by capturing thousands of images as the embryos grow without disturbing them.
This means your embryos can stay in a stable environment throughout development while embryologists gain a continuous view of their progress. That extra insight helps us assess key factors like how quickly the embryos are developing and how the cells are forming, which can guide the selection of the best embryo for implantation.
In fact, keeping embryos undisturbed while they grow may even help improve their quality. We use EmbryoScope™, the world's most widely used time-lapse monitoring system, to support this process and give your treatment the best possible chance of success.
This means your embryos can stay in a stable environment throughout development while embryologists gain a continuous view of their progress. That extra insight helps us assess key factors like how quickly the embryos are developing and how the cells are forming, which can guide the selection of the best embryo for implantation.
In fact, keeping embryos undisturbed while they grow may even help improve their quality. We use EmbryoScope™, the world's most widely used time-lapse monitoring system, to support this process and give your treatment the best possible chance of success.
Time-lapse imaging can help the IVF process in the following ways:
Minimises embryo handling: Conventionally, embryologists are required to remove the culture dish that contains developing embryos from the incubator daily to evaluate their development and quality.
Potential to improve embryo selection: Alongside standard embryo selection techniques, EmbryoScope™ may improve the selection of embryos with the highest potential for implantation. Certain markers of embryo development are programmed to occur within specific time windows. If an embryo achieves these either too quickly or too slowly, this may suggest a lower embryo potential.
Documentation of development: We provide a full video of your embryo development for future reference.
Minimises embryo handling: Conventionally, embryologists are required to remove the culture dish that contains developing embryos from the incubator daily to evaluate their development and quality.
Potential to improve embryo selection: Alongside standard embryo selection techniques, EmbryoScope™ may improve the selection of embryos with the highest potential for implantation. Certain markers of embryo development are programmed to occur within specific time windows. If an embryo achieves these either too quickly or too slowly, this may suggest a lower embryo potential.
Documentation of development: We provide a full video of your embryo development for future reference.
No, there are no known risks to the patient or her embryos from time-lapse imaging.
There have been various studies into whether time-lapse imaging can improve birth rates. Initial research has shown some promise, and the procedure offers deeper insights into embryo development.
But it's still very early days, and there is certainly not enough evidence to show that time-lapse imaging improves birth rates, which is something you may want to consider if it's being offered to you at an extra cost.
Time-lapse imaging is known as a fertility "add-on" or an optional extra that may be offered on top of your fertility treatment. The HFEA "traffic light rating" for this treatment is amber, suggesting that a growing body of evidence shows promising results but that further research is still required.
But it's still very early days, and there is certainly not enough evidence to show that time-lapse imaging improves birth rates, which is something you may want to consider if it's being offered to you at an extra cost.
Time-lapse imaging is known as a fertility "add-on" or an optional extra that may be offered on top of your fertility treatment. The HFEA "traffic light rating" for this treatment is amber, suggesting that a growing body of evidence shows promising results but that further research is still required.
23,000+
babies born with us
10+
dedicated fertility consultants
35+
years since we opened our doors
All in one place
Our main clinic is linked to the HCA UK hospital network, with all tests and procedures carried out onsite
State-of-the-art in-house labs
All necessary tests are expertly processed in our outstanding in-house labs
Exceptional, personalised care
Be looked after in one of the UK’s leading private fertility centres, offering personalised care and a wealth of fertility specialists
Time-lapse imaging process
What to expect
From the moment you step through the door, until the time you're ready to leave, we want you to feel as comfortable as possible with us, every step of the way.
If you have any questions that aren't covered here, or in the FAQ section below, please don't hesitate to get in touch. Our team will be happy to help in any way they can.
If you have any questions that aren't covered here, or in the FAQ section below, please don't hesitate to get in touch. Our team will be happy to help in any way they can.
01
Initial consultation
You'll meet with your fertility specialist for an in-depth conversation to discuss your medical history, any previous treatments and your hopes for starting a family. We'll discuss your treatment options with you and be on hand to answer any questions you may have.
02
Tests and scans
If you decide that IVF is right for you, your specialist will arrange a series of tests and scans to assess your fertility health and help them tailor a personalised treatment plan. This may include checking your ovarian reserve and carrying out hormone tests.
03
Follow-up appointment
After your tests and scans, you'll have a follow-up appointment with your fertility specialist to discuss your results. They'll explain the findings clearly to make sure you understand your fertility health and the options available to you.
04
Discuss any next steps
Your specialist will outline the next steps and make recommendations based on your unique circumstances. They'll also discuss options around time-lapse imaging and if this could be beneficial to your IVF journey.
Locations
Where can I access time-lapse imaging treatment?
Across our extensive network of hospitals and treatment centres, we have dozens of industry-leading fertility experts who can help you, from initial consultation to treatment and next steps. You can access our time-lapse imaging services at:
Lister Fertility Clinic
Chelsea Bridge Road SW1W 8RH London
Lister Fertility Clinic at The Portland Hospital
First Floor 215 Great Portland Street W1W 5PN London
Lister Fertility Clinic at The Shard
The Shard Outpatients St Thomas Street SE1 9BS London
Lister Fertility Clinic at The Beaconsfield Clinic
Little Hall Barn Windsor End, Beaconsfield HP9 2JW Buckinghamshire
Lister Fertility Clinic at Canary Wharf Outpatients
40 Bank Street Canary Wharf E14 5NR London
Accessing private health care
Self-pay
You don’t need health insurance to be seen quickly. If you’re looking for treatment and don’t want to wait, all of our fertility treatments can be paid for as and when you need them.
And to give you peace of mind from the start, we’ll provide you with a clear and transparent quote outlining exactly what’s included in your self-pay package.
Time-lapse imaging FAQs
Time-lapse imaging in IVF uses a special incubator fitted with a camera. It takes pictures of the embryos every few minutes, and these images are then compiled into a video. Embryologists can then use this video to monitor development, growth patterns and overall embryo health without disturbing them.
Embryologists analyse the video to identify patterns such as timing and symmetry, which can indicate stronger development potential. Time-lapse imaging in IVF can offer more detailed insights than traditional snapshot assessments.
No, it is an "add-on" fertility treatment that allows for constant observation and provides more detailed information on the embryos. This can help your consultant with the embryo selection process.
In most cases, yes. It's a non-invasive procedure that carries no risk to the patient or the embryos.
While our fertility specialists will try to see you as soon as possible, appointments are generally available within a few weeks.
We realise that undergoing any fertility testing and treatment is a personal process, and we want you to feel as comfortable as possible. You can search our fertility specialists, select your consultant and arrange your initial appointment with them.
We know that undertaking fertility treatment can be challenging, and part of that is understanding the potential costs involved. We try hard to ensure our fees are as transparent and simple to understand as possible.
Before you start your treatment, you should receive a clear, costed treatment plan so you begin your journey knowing what your treatment should cost. The cost will depend on your treatment plan, but you can view our price list to gain a clearer understanding.
Before you start your treatment, you should receive a clear, costed treatment plan so you begin your journey knowing what your treatment should cost. The cost will depend on your treatment plan, but you can view our price list to gain a clearer understanding.
As required for a clinic that is subject to regular Human Fertilisation and Embryo Authority (HFEA) inspection, the laboratory meets the highest standards for quality, safety and patient care. At HCA UK, we're proud to hold a 5/5 HFEA rating across our fertility clinics.
Our patients' fertility stories
How Lister Fertility Clinic helped two fathers-to-be
Paul is sitting in his home in Belfast, with his husband Neil and their beautiful three-month-old son Felix, talking about their journey to fatherhood – a journey that the Lister Fertility Clinic, part of HCA Healthcare UK, accompanied them on.
Clare’s fertility treatment
Clare and her husband Derek thought they might never have children, until joining the egg-sharing programme at the Lister Fertility Clinic.
Alice and Aaron's fertility treatment
After being told they’d never have children, Alice and Aaron turned to the Lister Fertility Clinic. They now have a beautiful two-year-old daughter.
“My experience at The Lister Hospital and The Portland Hospital was nothing short of exceptional. The staff were extremely kind and helpful. I would not hesitate to return here again for my future children.”
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