IVF

In vitro fertilization (IVF, fertilization in the "glass" disc) is by far the most utilized method of all assisted reproductive technologies (ART) available to infertile couples.

In vitro fertilization has enabled thousands of infertile couples to achieve their dream of having a baby.  IVF is an important component of assisted reproductive technologies offered by fertility doctors at XPert Fertility Care of California, IVF clinics. Only 15% of patients at Xpert Fertiity Care will eventually need IVF since the majority of couples become pregnant using other basic technologies such as intrauterine insemination (IUI), medications, and/or surgery. 

Usually, a patient who has failed three IUI cycles will proceed to in vitro fertilization as the “final” solution to the quest of fertility. IVF is sometimes the “first line treatment” for conditions such as severely damaged fallopian tubes, moderate to severe male factor infertility, advanced female age, and others.

IVF technology has advanced remarkably over the last ten years and physicians have developed treatment protocols, which vary by each patient’s response to treatment. These protocols help to insure the development of sufficient eggs while monitoring the patient’s response to medications thus improving safety and efficacy.

To gain a better understanding of the procedure, you may want to read our more detailed descriptions of each stage of the IVF procedure, including ovulation induction, egg retrieval, embryo culture, and transferring of the embryo.

Briefly, in an  IVF cycle, patients receive ovulation-inducing medication (gonadotropins) such as Gonal-F, Follistim, Repronex, or Bravelle. These medications induce the development of multiple eggs. Patients are monitored carefully by ultrasound and estradiol hormone measurements during the ovulation induction. Dosages of FSH are individualized according to each patient’s response. Once the eggs mature, they are retrieved under transvaginal ultrasound guidance. 
Once the eggs are retrieved, they are combined with sperm in a Petri dish where fertilization takes place. ICSI is sometimes required to insure fertilization. In ICSI, a single sperm is inserted directly into the egg. The fertilized embryos are incubated until they are ready for transfer to the uterus.
It is important to note that there are two types of transfers that can occur in an IVF procedure: the standard 3-day transfer or a blastocyst transfer. Both types of transfer have advantages and disadvantages.

While your embryos are still in the lab, there are a number of techniques that IVF specialists can perform to improve the health your embryos. One such technique is assisted hatching, which may improve your embryos ability to implant in your uterus. In some IVF cases, embryos will undergo the PGD procedure. PGD is performed for couples at risk of transmitting certain genetic diseases, to verify the correct number of chromosomes, or for gender selection.  This diagnostic test allows specialists to transfer only those embryos which are healthiest.

The extra embryos will be cryo-preserved (freezing) so that they can be used in future IVF cycles if necessary. This is known as frozen embryo transfer.

IVF Procedure IVF Timeline Frozen Embryo Transfer Blastocyst Services Glossary IVF FAQ