In Vitro Fertilization (IVF)

In the United States, infertility affects approximately 10% of men and women during their reproductive years. In vitro fertilization (IVF) is one of the more common procedures used to help infertile couples conceive.

IVF Overview

 IVF Overview IVF is an example of an Assisted Reproductive Technology (ART) in which a woman’s egg is fertilized with a man’s sperm in a laboratory. The resulting embryo is then transferred to the woman’s uterus to implant and develop naturally. During the IVF process, female patients receive a course of gonadotropins that stimulate the ovaries to produce several eggs for extraction. Collected eggs are then fertilized in vitro. Successful embryos are incubated and monitored for several days, and are then transferred to the patient. The patient is given additional hormone therapy and monitored for signs that implantation occurred – resulting in pregnancy.

In Vitro Fertilization Step by Step

In Vitro Fertilization, or IVF is a process by which one or more eggs (oocytes) are removed from the ovaries with the assistance of ultrasound and fertilized outside the body.
  1. Ovarian Stimulation: Female patients receive a course of injectable medications that stimulate the ovaries to produce multiple mature eggs for extraction.
  2. Egg Retrieval: Patients undergo egg retrieval following approximately 10 days of ovarian stimulation. This procedure takes place in our Marlton office in the Operative Suite, under unconscious sedation. An ultrasound probe is inserted into the vagina and acts as a guide to the needle that is used to collect the eggs. This process is described below.
  3. Fertilization of Eggs: Eggs are placed in dishes following retrieval. If the sperm count is normal, then the usual procedure is to place a droplet of washed sperm onto each egg. If the male partner has a very low sperm count, then fertilization is achieved by injecting a single sperm into each egg in a process called Intra-Cytoplasmic Sperm Injection (ICSI).
  4. Embryo Transfer: Successfully fertilized eggs are called embryos. A finite number of selected embryos are placed into the uterus for implantation and establishment of pregnancy. This process bypasses the fallopian tubes. Our embryologists assess the embryo development at multiple stages and choose the best day for embryos to be transferred. Transfers are commonly scheduled for either 3 or 5 days after egg retrieval.
  5. Embryo Freezing: After embryos have been selected for transfer, the remaining embryos can be frozen and stored in our laboratory for future use. Frozen embryo transfer cycles do not require ovarian stimulation and can be completed in 5-6 weeks. Embryos can remain in storage until patients have completed their families and no longer desire fertility. 

Preparing for Your Egg Retrieval During IVF

After about 8-10 days of injectable hormones, the follicle size and ovarian hormone levels are appropriate for the trigger shot to be administered. The timing of the injection is critically important as your egg retrieval procedure is scheduled at a specified hour following this injection. The day before the retrieval you will be asked to not have anything to eat or drink after midnight, as you will be under anesthesia the following day. It is recommended that the male partner ejaculates on the date of the trigger shot. This allows for a fresh sample of healthy sperm on the day of egg retrieval.
In Vitro Fertilization (IVF)

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Before the egg retrieval, one of our experienced nursing staff will take your vital signs and you will be taken back to our OR suite, asked to change into a hospital gown and introduced to one of our Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetists (CRNA). The CRNA will ask you health history questions and an IV will be started. A mixture of different medications will be used to deliver unconscious sedation. This means you will be breathing on your own, but will be unable to feel any discomfort.

The egg retrieval involves a transvaginal ultrasound, almost identical to the one used for scans performed during the monitoring process. A needle guide is attached to the shaft of the vaginal probe. Under ultrasound guidance, the needle is passed through the wall of the vagina into the ovary and the fluid within the visible follicles is removed. This is passed on to the embryologist who identifies the egg from each aspirate of fluid. Prior to discharge, you will be informed regarding the number of oocytes retrieved. The day following retrieval, you will be contacted by our embryologist regarding fertilization outcome.

History and Statistics

Since the first successful In Vitro Fertilization (IVF) birth in 1978, the technology has been continually refined by physicians and embryologists, increasing success rates at IVF centers all over the world. Today, the possibility of an IVF pregnancy being achieved has improved from practically nil to a national average of approximately 40%, depending on a patient’s age and medical history.

Review DVIF&G’s IVF success statistics here.
The next step in growing your family is scheduling a consultation. Use our online form or call us today at: 856-988-0072

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Delaware Valley Institute of Fertility & Genetics
Centers in South New Jersey

Marlton Fertility Office
6000 Sagemore Drive, Suite 6102
Marlton NJ 08053
856-988-0072
 856-988-0056 Fax
Vineland FERTILITY OFFICE
2950 College Drive, Suite 2B
Vineland NJ 08360
856-988-0072
 856-988-0056 Fax
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