What is in vitro fertilization?

In vitro fertilization (IVF) is a process that helps a woman get pregnant if she’s having trouble with fertility or a couple has concerns about genetic problems in a future child. It is the most effective form of assisted reproductive technology.

In a typical IVF procedure, Dr. Chang collects a woman’s mature eggs and fertilizes them with sperm (from a partner or a donor) in a lab. The fertilized eggs turn into embryos that Dr. Chang then places in the woman’s uterus, where the hope is that implantation and pregnancy occur. 

Who is a candidate for in vitro fertilization?

In vitro fertilization at Noble Fertility Center may be the best choice for you if (you):

• You are unsuccessful in getting pregnant using other fertility treatments
• You have a diagnosis of poor ovarian reserve or your partner has impaired sperm
• You are of advanced maternal age
• Have experienced recurrent pregnancy loss
• Have damaged, sterilized, or removed fallopian tubes
• Have endometriosis
• Plan to use a donor egg or sperm
• Have frozen eggs or sperm
• Want to use a surrogate
• Need to perform genetic embryo testing
  
  

Your chances of having a successful time getting pregnant with in vitro fertilization depends on your reason for infertility, age, and your and your partner’s general health. 

How does in vitro fertilization work?

IVF involves several steps. While it may seem time-consuming and complicated, Noble Fertility Center provides you with the tools and support necessary to make it as easy as possible. 

Ovarian suppression

During this stage, Dr. Chang prescribes specific medications to control your egg development and prevent ovulation. You may need daily injections from 5-30 days.

Ovarian stimulation

Ovarian stimulation optimizes your egg production so there are enough for collection during your IVF cycle. You receive a prescription for ovarian stimulating medications to stimulate the follicles in your ovaries to release your eggs. 

Dr. Chang monitors you using diagnostic equipment, including ultrasound and blood tests, to monitor the growth and development of your follicles. Once Dr. Chang determines that your follicles are at the right point of maturity, you get an injection of human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) to finalize your eggs’ maturation.

Your partner should ejaculate the day of hCG injection then abstain until after your egg retrieval.

Egg retrieval

This part of the process occurs while you are under conscious sedation. Dr. Chang uses a sonogram to direct a needle that moves through the vaginal wall into the ovarian follicle to remove the eggs. 

On the day of egg retrieval, your partner provides a semen sample. Beginning the day after egg retrieval, you take progesterone daily to help support the early pregnancy.

Fertilization

During this step, the sperm and egg are brought together in a lab. After one day, the determination of whether the sperm has successfully fertilized the egg is possible. 

If needed, Dr. Chang can perform assisted hatching (AH), helping the embryo break free from its shell. 

Noble Fertility Center performs any agreed-upon preimplantation genetic screening (PGS), comprehensive chromosome screening (CCS), or preimplantation genetic diagnosis (PGD) at this stage. 

Embryo transfer

When the fertilized egg reaches the blastocyst stage, usually on day five or six, Dr. Chang implants the embryo in your uterine lining using ultrasound guidance.

To learn more about how IVF can help you achieve pregnancy, call Noble Fertility Center, or use the online tool to request a consultation.