Is In Vitro Fertilization for Me?
In its most basic sense, In vitro fertilization (IVF) is a type of fertility treatment where eggs and sperm are combined. The process is done in a laboratory. The embryos that result are then placed into a woman's uterus and then a baby begins to grow. According to a Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) 2013 report, even though assisted reproductive technology (ART) is still a fairly uncommon practice, around 1.5 percent of babies born in the US are the result of this procedure.
Is In Vitro Fertilization Right for You?
IVF can help with pregnancy if you are having issues with egg quality, ovulation, and endometriosis or have blocked fallopian tubes. It can also help if your partner is having issues with motility or his sperm count or if donor eggs are being used to become pregnant. Another reason to use IVF is if you have what is known as an 'unexplained infertility', which means that your doctor is unable to determine the problem or other treatments have proven to be ineffective. There are several basic steps of IVF which include: - Scrupulous development and monitoring of eggs through fertility drugs stimulation.
- The process of egg retrieval or collection of eggs.
- Sperm sample collection or thawing.
- Egg and sperm combining in a laboratory in the event of fertilization and early growth of the embryo.
- Placing embryos inside the uterus.
- Embryos not transferred may be frozen for use in the future.
What Makes a Good Candidate for IVF?
Couples often turn to IVF to conceive when other fertility treatments have proven ineffective in getting them pregnant. Women can benefit from IVF if she has tubal issues or women with absent or blocked fallopian tubes, since the IVF procedure doesn't involve the fallopian tubes at all. Women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), endometriosis, and other fertility disorders are good candidates for IVF. It helps them conquer their symptoms of infertility and become pregnant. Women can also get pregnant with IVF who have abnormal ovulation cycles since the process can generate healthy eggs and induce ovulation. Even women who do not have healthy eggs can still use this procedure if they are willing to use donor eggs. One cycle of IVF usually takes around four to six weeks. It takes a few weeks to let your eggs mature and then you will go to your New York Fertility Clinic and have your doctor retrieve and fertilize your eggs. After three to five days you will return so your doctor can insert the embryos inside your uterus, however, you can go home the same day. To learn more about In Vitro Fertilization, contact New York Reproductive Wellness for a consultation and evaluation.
