In Vitro Fertilization (IVF) is a technique of assisted reproductive technology and embryo transfer (IVF / ET).

The IVF initially aimed at treating fallopian tube obstruction. After the first years, researchers realized that it could also be applied for other causes of infertility for which simpler treatments like intrauterine insemination have been unsuccessful:

• moderate male infertility;
• some cases of cervical factor infertility;
• unexplained infertility;
• polycystic ovary syndrome;
• and endometriosis.

IVF Process

– The preparation phase of the IVF involves the intake of drugs that stimulate the production of several eggs at the same time for a higher success rate.

– During the two-week medication administration, ultrasounds are performed at regular intervals to check the ovarian response to these drugs. For some women, the ovarian response might be insufficient. In these cases, possible alternative solutions will be discussed with the couple.

– Chorionic gonadotropin is administered when the ovarian follicles contained in the eggs have fully matured. Then, the eggs are retrieved after 36 hours.

– Egg retrieval is performed vaginally with an ultrasound-guided needle, under mild and short-term anesthesia. The procedure lasts a few minutes.

– Upon awakening from anesthesia, the woman can return home.

– The retrieved eggs are fertilized with the man’s spermatozoa, which are supplied to the lab just before the egg collection. The fertilization occurs in the lab in a glass test tube – hence the name “in vitro” – which contains a special culture medium.

– The test tube containing the eggs and the spermatozoa will be kept for about two days inside a special carbon dioxide incubator, which has the same temperature, pH and osmolarity parameters as the human body.

– Afterwards, the resulting embryos will be transferred vaginally through the cervix, and painlessly laid into the uterus cavity via a thin, flexible and sterile tube.

– A urine or blood test for pregnancy is performed two weeks after the embryo transfer.

 

Complementary Techniques of the IVF

– Intra Cytoplasmic Sperm injection (ICSI) – (see section ICSI)

– Oocyte Donation – (see section Oocyte Donation)

– Sperm Donation – (see section Sperm Donation)

 

Probabilities of success

This depends on several factors:

• The age of the patient
• The type and duration of infertility
• Ovarian response to therapies
• Type of method used

You will be notified about the probability of success after a thorough evaluation of your case.

Although no guarantee can be given, at CEFERMAD, we will do our best to increase your chances of pregnancy as soon as possible, with as little invasiveness as possible.