In vitro fertilization (patient information)
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In vitro fertilization |
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In vitro fertilization On the Web |
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Risk calculators and risk factors for In vitro fertilization |
For the WikiDoc page for this topic, click here Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]
Overview
In vitro fertilization (IVF) is one of the treatments for infertility. A woman’s egg and a man’s sperm are fertilized in a laboratory dish. In vitro means outside the body. Fertilization means the sperm has attached to and entered the egg.
How is the in vitro fertilization done?
IVF is a form of assisted reproductive technology (ART). This means special medical techniques are used to help a woman become pregnant. IVF has been successfully used since 1978.
Procedure
Step 1: Stimulation
- Fertility medicines are given to the woman to increase her egg production. Normally, a woman produces one egg per month. Several eggs are produced under the influence of fertility drugs. During this step, the woman will have regular transvaginal ultrasounds to examine the ovaries and blood tests to check hormone levels.
Step 2: Egg Retrieval
- Follicular aspiration (a minor surgical procedure) is done to remove the eggs from the woman’s body. The surgery is normally done as an outpatient procedure in the doctor’s office. The woman will be given medicines so that she does not feel pain during the procedure. Using ultrasound images as a guide, the health care provider inserts a thin needle through the vagina and into the ovary and sacs (follicles) containing the eggs. The needle is connected to a suction device, which pulls the eggs and fluid out of each follicle, one at a time. The procedure is repeated for the other ovary. The woman may have some cramping after the surgery, but it usually goes away within a day. In rare cases, a pelvic laparoscopy may be needed to remove the eggs.
- If a woman does not or cannot produce any eggs, donated eggs may be used.
Step 3: Insemination and Fertilization
- The man’s sperm is placed together with the best quality eggs and stored in an environmentally controlled chamber. The mixing of the sperm and egg is called insemination. The sperm usually enters (fertilizes) an egg a few hours after insemination. If the doctor thinks the chance of fertilization is low, the laboratory staff may directly inject the sperm into the egg. This is called intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI). Many fertility programs routinely do ICSI on some of the eggs even if everything is normal.