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In Vitro Fertilization, more commonly referred to as IVF, is a process by which a woman’s eggs are removed from her ovaries and fertilized in the laboratory with her partner’s sperm. The resulting embryos are incubated in the laboratory and transferred back into her uterus three to five days later.
Women undergoing IVF will receive subcutaneous injections for approximately ten to twelve days during which time she will have cycle monitoring to track her progress. The medications will stimulate the growth of a good number of eggs. Once her eggs are mature, she is given an injection called “Ovidrel” (or HCG) and 35 hours later, the eggs will be retrieved under intravenous sedation using a needle in our office. The eggs are immediately passed to the embryologist, the sperm is collected the same day and the eggs are fertilized.
Many couples can benefit from IVF treatment including;
- Male factor infertility (including low sperm count or previous vasectomy)
- Fallopian Tube Problems (including tubal blockage, damage, or previous ligation)
- Pelvic Adhesions
- Advanced Female Age (over 38 years old)
- Severe Endometriosis
- Reduced ovarian reserve (low quality or quantity of eggs)
- Two to six failed cycles with ovulation induction and insemination
- Unexplained Infertility
- Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS) who have failed conventional treatment
The first IVF baby, Louise Brown, was born in England in 1978 and since there has been approximately four million children born from this procedure.
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