In Vitro Fertilization

Since the inception of In Vitro Fertilization (IVF) several millions of babies have been born as a result of this treatment in the world. The Assisted Reproductive Technologies (ART's) are a group of treatment options used for couples with infertility that cannot be treated using simpler methods. These procedures have excellent success rates but require significant effort and can be expensive. For all of these reasons, advanced treatment options can be stressful. These natural stresses can be minimized if you understand the details of the various procedures. We encourage you to learn more, freely ask questions of your medical team, and to watch or read additional educational resources listed in the link to the right.

Understanding the applications for each procedure will help you obtain the appropriate treatment and maximize your chance for success. There are a number of different types of treatments encompassed under the ART umbrella. The main treatment is IVF, it is important to understand the four basic components of an IVF cycle which are Ovarian stimulation, Egg Harvest and Fertilization, Embryo Culture and Embryo Transfer. For more information or to schedule and appointment with one of our physicians, please contact our friendly New Patient Liaisons by calling our American line 619-400-6919 or 011-52-664-635-1854.

• Who Needs IVF?

For some situations or conditions, such as tubal factor, IVF may be the first-line treatment. In other cases, IVF is recommended only if simpler treatment fails. Below is a list of common indications for IVF treatment.

Fallopian Tube Damage/Tubal Factor

The only options for treating significant tubal damage are surgical repair or bypassing the tubes with IVF. This decision must be carefully individualized in each situation.

Male Factor Infertility

One of the most dramatic advances in the treatment of infertility has been the capacity to obtain fertilization and pregnancy in the IVF lab with severely abnormal sperm samples by utilizing ICSI (Intracytoplasmic Sperm Injection). ICSI is often recommended if there is any suggestion of a sperm problem, if sperm are obtained surgically, or if there has been a prior failure of fertilization.

Endometriosis

Endometriosis may be effectively treated with a combination of surgical and medical therapy. IVF is effective as a second line of treatment if the initial treatment is proven unsuccessful.

Age Related Infertility

Age is considered as the main predictor of success in fertility therapy. In normal reproductive life, a woman's ovarian function is diminished with age. In many cases, this reduced function can be overcome through the use of IVF alone or in conjunction with techniques such as PGD/PGS and Blastocyst culture.

Anovulation and PCOS patients.

The majority of patients with anovulation and or PCOS may conceive using simpler treatments. However, those patients requiring IVF are typically "high responders" to gonadotropin therapy and have a good prognosis.

Unexplained Infertility

Approximately 20% of couples will have no identifiable cause of infertility after completing a comprehensive evaluation. IVF is often successful even if more conservative treatments have failed, especially since some of these couples actually have some block to fertilization.

By the time an In Vitro Fertilization (IVF) cycle is started several analysis and tests must have been done to maximize the probability of success. The first step of an IVF cycle is to stimulate the ovaries to grow several follicles at once; this involves injections, ultrasounds and blood hormone testing. Once the eggs are mature they are retrieved and fertilized in the laboratory. Then, after 5-6 days in culture they are transferred to the uterus or frozen for later use.