For many couples, successful treatment for infertility comes in the form of in vitro fertilization, a procedure in which eggs are fertilized in the lab, then implanted into a woman’s uterus. Our team at The New York Fertility Center has extensive experience retrieving, fertilizing, and re-implanting eggs so couples can enjoy the thrill of pregnancy and birth. To learn whether you’re a good candidate for in vitro fertilization, call one of the offices in Manhattan or Flushing, New York, or book an appointment online.
request an appointmentWhat is in vitro fertilization?
In vitro fertilization (IVF) is a procedure in which a woman’s eggs are fertilized with a man’s sperm in a dish in the laboratory. After the eggs are fertilized, they’re placed back into the uterus where they continue to grow and develop normally.
Who is a good candidate for in vitro fertilization?
IVF can be used to treat infertility in women who have blocked or damaged fallopian tubes or disorders that prevent normal ovulation. It’s also an option for men who have a low sperm count or a problem with sperm motility.
Our team may also consider IVF for couples with genetic disorders or when the cause of infertility can’t be determined, an issue that arises in about one-third of all couples with infertility.
What are the four steps of in vitro fertilization?
IVF is a process that involves four steps:
Ovarian stimulation and monitoring
You’ll receive injections containing a medication that increases the number of eggs produced by your ovaries. During this stage, our team uses transvaginal ultrasound and blood tests to monitor how your ovaries respond and determine when eggs are mature.
Egg Retrieval
Our team retrieves mature eggs from your ovaries using a minimally invasive surgical procedure that typically takes less than 15 minutes. After you’re lightly sedated, we access your ovary through the vaginal wall and use suction to gently remove the mature eggs.
Culture and fertilization
Your retrieved eggs are taken to the laboratory, where they’re fertilized with sperm. When enough sperm is available, they’re released onto the egg. When the sperm sample is too small, a single sperm is micro-injected directly into the egg.
Embryo transfer
After the eggs are fertilized, our team uses a small catheter to transfer the optimal number of healthy, mature embryos into your uterus, using ultrasound to guide their placement. This step only takes a few minutes to complete.
If you have additional fertilized eggs that aren’t transferred to your uterus, they can be frozen and saved.
After a time, you’ll have a pregnancy test to see whether the embryo successfully implanted into your uterine wall.
If you have questions about infertility and IVF, please don’t hesitate to call The New York Fertility Center, or book a consultation online.