Treatment Options
In Vitro Fertilization (IVF)
What is IVF?
In Vitro Fertilization (IVF) is a groundbreaking fertility treatment that involves combining eggs and sperm in a laboratory setting to facilitate fertilization. This enables us to bypass certain fertility challenges and increase the chances of a successful pregnancy. Through a carefully orchestrated process, eggs are retrieved from the ovaries and fertilized with sperm, resulting in the creation of embryos. These embryos are then transferred into the uterus, where they have the potential to implant and develop into a healthy pregnancy.
How is IVF beneficial?
IVF allows us to help you achieve a successful pregnancy and fulfill your desire for a child. IVF offers numerous benefits, including overcoming various causes of infertility, such as tubal factor issues, endometriosis, male factor infertility, or unexplained infertility. Additionally, IVF provides opportunities for genetic screening and diagnosis, allowing you to choose embryos free from certain genetic disorders. We are here to empower you with the knowledge, support, and cutting-edge treatments necessary to make your dreams come true.
Who is eligible for IVF?
Determining eligibility for IVF is an important initial step. Factors such as age, medical history, and reproductive health play a crucial role in determining candidacy for treatment. Our team of fertility experts will conduct a comprehensive pre-assessment, which may include diagnostic tests and evaluations to evaluate ovarian reserve, hormonal levels, and overall reproductive health. Based on these assessments, we will develop a personalized treatment plan that maximizes your chances of success. Additionally, we will discuss lifestyle modifications that may positively impact IVF outcomes, ensuring you are fully prepared for the journey ahead.
How does the IVF process work?
Embarking on the IVF journey involves a step-by-step process designed to optimize your chances of success. Our experienced team will guide you through each stage, from ovarian stimulation and egg retrieval to embryo development and transfer. You will receive clear explanations of the medications and hormone injections used during IVF, along with detailed instructions for their administration. We closely monitor follicle growth to ensure the best possible outcome, and the egg retrieval process is performed with utmost care and consideration, utilizing anesthesia options that prioritize your comfort and well-being. Whether we utilize conventional IVF or Intracytoplasmic Sperm Injection (ICSI), our cutting-edge techniques maximize the potential for successful fertilization and embryo development. When it comes time for embryo transfer, we employ gentle and precise methods to optimize your chances of achieving a healthy pregnancy. Any surplus embryos of suitable quality can be cryopreserved, providing you with future opportunities to expand your family without repeating the full IVF cycle.
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Initial Consultation
During your initial consultation, our compassionate and experienced fertility specialists will listen attentively to your concerns, medical history, and aspirations for parenthood. We take the time to understand your individual circumstances and address any questions you may have.
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Diagnostic Assessments
To assess your reproductive health, we conduct a series of diagnostic procedures tailored to your specific needs. These may include hormonal assessments, ultrasound imaging, and semen analysis, among others. These evaluations provide valuable insights into factors that may impact fertility and guide our treatment recommendations.
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Ovulation Stimulation
Through the application of specialized medications, our esteemed medical team carefully stimulates your ovaries, fostering the production of multiple eggs. This crucial step optimizes your chances of success by expanding the opportunities for fertilization and subsequent embryo development.
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Egg Retrieval
With your comfort as our priority, our highly skilled professionals perform the egg retrieval procedure under anesthesia. By collecting mature eggs from your ovaries, we ensure a smooth and painless experience, setting the stage for the next phase of your journey.
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Fertilization
Within our cutting-edge laboratory, your eggs are united with carefully selected sperm in a meticulously controlled environment. Our team of skilled embryologists orchestrates this crucial step, maximizing the prospects of successful fertilization and advancing you closer to the fulfillment of your parenthood aspirations.
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Embryo Development
In our state-of-the-art laboratory, your precious embryos receive the utmost care and attention. Our experienced embryologists vigilantly monitor their growth and development, employing advanced techniques to ensure optimal health and viability.
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Embryo Selection
Drawing upon our expertise and extensive evaluation criteria, our specialists meticulously select the highest-quality embryos for transfer. This stringent selection process enhances the probability of a successful pregnancy, bringing you closer to the realization of your cherished dream of parenthood.
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Embryo Transfer
Led by our skilled physicians, the delicate process of transferring the chosen embryos to your prepared uterus takes place. With utmost precision and compassion, we ensure your comfort as we embark on this significant step toward the creation of your family.
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Cryopreservation
Recognizing the value of every precious embryo, we offer the option to cryopreserve any additional high-quality embryos. This allows you to preserve the potential for future family expansion, providing you with flexibility and peace of mind.
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Pregnancy Testing & Monitoring
Approximately two weeks following the embryo transfer, we administer a comprehensive pregnancy test to determine the success of the procedure. This eagerly anticipated moment marks a significant milestone on your path to parenthood, and our dedicated team stands by your side, ready to celebrate the joyous news.
How successful is IVF?
Understanding success rates and the factors that influence IVF success is crucial for managing expectations and making informed decisions. Age, for instance, plays a significant role, with younger individuals typically experiencing higher success rates due to healthier eggs and a more favorable uterine environment. We will thoroughly discuss the various factors that can impact your individual success rate, including underlying conditions and embryo quality. To enhance your chances of success, we offer advanced techniques such as Pre-implantation Genetic Testing (PGT) and employ optimal embryo transfer timing strategies. Our commitment is to provide you with the highest level of care and personalized treatment plans to maximize your chances of achieving a successful pregnancy.
What are the side effects & risks of IVF?
While IVF is a safe and effective treatment, it is essential to understand the potential risks and side effects associated with the process. Our team of compassionate professionals will guide you through the journey, ensuring you have a thorough understanding of the possible complications and steps we take to minimize them. We are committed to your well-being and provide dedicated support, counseling services, and access to resources that address the emotional and psychological aspects of undergoing IVF. Your mental and emotional well-being are of utmost importance to us, and we will support you every step of the way.
Assisted Laboratory Procedures
When beginning an IVF treatment, the ultimate goal for the RFC team is to work with the patients to create a healthy baby while minimizing the risk of multiples. New advances in laboratory techniques have recently enabled us to maximize success rates while minimizing the incidence of multiples. Assisted Reproductive Technologies, including intracytoplasmic sperm injection, blastocyst culture, assisted hatching, pre-implantation genetic testing and cryopreservation, are laboratory techniques used to work with and care for the eggs, sperm and embryos outside the body.
Intracytoplasmic Sperm Injection (ICSI) involves direct injection of a single sperm into a mature egg. This procedure is selectively used in cases involving significant decreases in sperm counts, motility, or morphology. This procedure may also be used in cases where there is a history of previous failed fertilization despite normal sperm testing.
Assisted Hatching involves making a small hole in the zona pellucida (sugar-protein membrane) that surrounds the pre-embryo at the 6-8-cell stage approximately 1 hour prior to embryo transfer. As the embryo continues to grow, the hole becomes larger, making it easier for the embryo to “hatch” out of its shell, which is necessary for implantation to occur. This procedure is performed in patients with a thickened zona pellucida, as well as in patients over 35, or with other histories.