In Vitro Fertilization

In Vitro Fertilization is the fertilization of an egg with sperm inside a test tube or petri dish. The fertilized egg is then implanted in a woman's uterus. Your infertility doctor will consider IVF after more conservative methods of treating infertility are not effective, or are not considered to be appropriate, based on the status and needs of the couple or woman seeking to conceive.

Traditionally, IVF involves several steps:

• administration of fertility drugs to the woman
• collecting of eggs
• fertilization of eggs in a petri dish or test tube
• transfer of fertilized eggs into the woman's uterus
• storage of any remaining fertilized eggs by freezing

Prior to IVF treatment, your infertility doctor will preform a physical exam, obtain blood tests, test the semen, screen for diseases, assess the woman's uterus for health, and then obtain consent for the procedure. Each IVF treatment takes approximately four (4) weeks, and requires multiple visits to the fertility clinic.

Talk with your fertility clinic, or infertility doctor about IVF and whether this is a viable option for treating your infertility.