In Vitro Fertilization (IVF)
What is In Vitro Fertilization?
In Vitro Fertilization (IVF) involves stimulating the ovaries with hormonal injections to mature multiple eggs at one time, collecting the eggs during an egg retrieval procedure, fertilizing the eggs in our laboratory, maturing the embryos and transferring an embryo into the uterus.
Fertilization is sometimes aided by performing Intra-Cytoplasmic Sperm Injection (“ICSI”). ICSI which involves selecting a single sperm and injecting it directly into the egg. Embryos can be frozen indefinitely.
Patient Journey
Prior to this phase a patient would have had their first visit with the doctor, completed all testing, reviewed results, and may have completed other fertility treatment decided on IVF as a treatment plan. (Some patients may need counselling, donor sperm, repeat testing, or PGT)
Some reasons to consider IVF
IVF has been a successful treatment for people with:
- Blocked/missing fallopian tube(s)
- Endometriosis
- Ovulation problems
- Low ovarian reserve
- Abnormal or low sperm counts
- Fertility preservation
- Third party
- Same sex couple doing reciprocal IVF
- Unexplained infertility
- Unsuccessful other fertility treatment
- Other