In Vitro Fertilisation (IVF), is conception outside of the human body. IVF is not a single procedure, but rather a series of steps over a number of weeks. The steps include the following:
- Stimulation of the Ovaries- A woman's cycle normally produces a single egg. When the ovaries are stimulated by hormones, they produce more eggs per cycle. This enables the collection or 'pick up' of multiple eggs. The development is then monitored by blood tests and ultrasounds that ensure the eggs are picked up at precisely the right time.
- Collecting the eggs (egg pick up) at the appropriate time, the woman is placed under light sedation and an ultrasound probe inserted into the vagina. The ultrasound monitor shows where the follicles are within the ovaries and a fine needle is passed through the vaginal wall and into the ovaries. Each follicle (sac of fluid) in the ovary is pierced in order to collect the egg in each one.
- Fertilisation and embryo transfer- A couple of hours after egg collection, the sample of semen is obtained. With standard IVF, the sperm is mixed with the eggs in a culture dish. with intracytoplasmic sperm injection, one sperm is injected directly into the cytoplasm of each egg.
If an egg is successfully fertilised by a sperm, a zygote or pre-embryo will begin to develop. The zygote remains in the incubator for 2-5 days while it continues to growand divide. Once the embryos have grown to an appropriate size, one or two will be placed back into the woman's uterus at the appropriate time in her menstrual cycle.
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*See your Dr to discuss which fertility option is best suited to you and your situation* |
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Disclaimer:
This is an information website only, based on my experiences and information I have obtained through my own readings, discussions and related to topics of interest to me. For further information, I suggest you do your own research. There are differing opinions on some topics so some websites may give conflicting information and currency of information may change over time. For medical advice, I suggest you contact your healthcare provider.
This is an information website only, based on my experiences and information I have obtained through my own readings, discussions and related to topics of interest to me. For further information, I suggest you do your own research. There are differing opinions on some topics so some websites may give conflicting information and currency of information may change over time. For medical advice, I suggest you contact your healthcare provider.