IVF Overview

What is In Vitro Fertilization (IVF)?

In vitro fertilization (IVF) is an advanced assisted reproductive procedure with high success rates when compared to other fertility treatment options. Depending on your age and diagnosis your physician may recommend that you begin your fertility treatment with IVF first. In other instances, your physician may recommend a less invasive procedure such as intrauterine insemination (IUI).

Do I need IVF?

At New York Reproductive Wellness, your treatment plan is personalized based on your unique fertility needs. Your physician will complete a full fertility workup during your initial consultation that will determine your plan of care. For many women of advanced maternal age or with a diagnosis of unexplained infertility, endometriosis, blacked fallopian tubes, pelvic scarring, or a male partner with severe male factor infertility, IVF is often the first option your physician will recommend as treatment.

IVF Process Explained

During the IVF process mature eggs are retrieved from a woman’s ovaries and fertilized by sperm in an embryology laboratory. The embryos then develop in our world-class embryology laboratory until they reach the blastocyst stage (5-6 days after fertilization when it has approximately 100 cells) or cleaved embryo stage (3 days after fertilization when it has approximately 6-10 cells). It is at this point when the embryo/s are transferred to the uterus.

In addition to the high success rates that IVF offers, advanced assisted reproductive technologies can be used in conjunction in order to increase success of the procedure, minimize multiple gestation, and help ensure a healthier baby. These advanced IVF technologies include:

  • Intracytoplasmic Sperm Injection (ICSI): When a single sperm is injected directly into each egg that has been retrieved in order to overcome severe male factor fertility.
  • Frozen Embryo Transfer (FET): Embryos can be transferred into the uterus as a fresh transfer or frozen and then thawed for later use. Freezing your embryos before transfer allows for implantation to take place at a later, more optimal time. Research has shown that FETs increase implantation rates and improve obstetrical outcomes.
  • Preimplantation Genetic Screening/Diagnosis (PGS/PGD): PGT-A is a genetic test that screens embryos for chromosomal abnormalities. This helps to ensure that your embryos have a normal complement of chromosomes, which in turn helps to greatly decrease embryo implantation failure and miscarriage. PGT-M is a genetic test which evaluates embryos for the presence of certain mutations. If you require this form of testing, it helps to almost entirely eliminate the risk of the disease in question (e.g. Cystic Fibrosis; Sickle Cell Disease; Tay Sachs) and optimize the chances for the delivery of a healthy baby!"
American Society for Reproductive Medicine
College of American Pathologists
Fertile Hope
Society for Assisted Reproductive Technology
Logos Mobile