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Associated Fertility Clinic
In vitro fertilization (IVF) and gamete intrafallopian transfer (GIFT) are
technical and complex procedures used in the treatment of infertility. Each
procedure has its
advantages and disadvantages, which are discussed in detail during the course of
each patient's evaluation.
IVF is now used as a first line treatment for many conditions including moderate
to severe damage of the fallopian tubes, cases of advanced female age, and
moderate to severe male factor. Even though IVF is a first line treatment, it
will be required by less than 10% of patients.
GIFT is rarely used because it requires placement of the gametes (egg and sperm)
in the end of the fallopian tube, which requires a laparoscopy. This makes GIFT
a more
expensive procedure and the success rates are no better. GIFT is used when a
couples religious values dictate that fertilization must occur "inside the
body".
Patients undergoing assisted reproductive technology (ART) procedures receive
daily injections of follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) to stimulate the growth
of many follicles each of which contains an egg. More eggs are needed because
some are invariably damaged when handled during the ART procedure.
Patients usually administer FSH subcutaneously at home. Lupron is also
administered to prevent premature ovulation, which could result in the "loss" of
a stimulation cycle. It is necessary to come to our office during the
stimulation for ultrasound and estradiol measurements. Dosage adjustments are
made based upon the results for these tests.
Once the eggs are mature, an injection of hCG is given to complete maturation of
the egg (s). The body does not differentiate between hCG and luteinizing hormone
(LH). LH is the hormone that stimulates ovulation in a normal menstrual cycle.
Sometimes a woman's eggs will not mature and fertilize due to factors such as
reduced ovarian reserve due to age or other conditions. These patients are
candidates for our donor egg program, which is discussed in the "Donor Egg"
section of our Web site.
www.afg-ivf.com
OB-GYN Associates of Northern Indiana, P.C.
610 N. Michigan St., Suite 200
South Bend, Indiana 46601
(574) 232-1471
Midwest Fertility Center
In vitro fertilization is among the most common assisted reproduction procedures
we offer at Midwest Fertility Center. Also known as IVF, it is a treatment that
helps couples or single parents achieve fertilization. During IVF, eggs are
taken from the woman’s uterus and fertilized by a donor’s sperm in a controlled
environment outside of the womb. After the fertilized eggs have developed
sufficiently, they are placed in the woman’s uterus.
After the controlled application of ovarian hyperstimulation, eggs are taken
from a woman’s ovary with the aid of ultrasound while the patient is under IV
sedation. Anywhere from one to 30 eggs or more may be retrieved, depending on
the responsiveness of the ovaries to the gonadotropins used to stimulate them.
A semen sample of the sperm to be used in the procedure is also collected from
the male donor. The semen then undergoes a series of cell separation treatments
in order to generate a clean, healthy sperm sample. Once the sperm and eggs have
been prepared, they are mixed and incubated for approximately three days to
facilitate proper fertilization. When the resulting embryos have developed
sufficiently, they are transferred to the patient’s uterus. The transfer process
is very simple, and is similar to a pelvic exam. After the transfer procedure,
the patient must carefully follow the instructions of the fertility specialist.
The patient may be instructed to take several days of bed rest. Ten to 12 days
after the transfer, a pregnancy test is performed to confirm whether or not the
treatment was successful.
If you have questions about any of the stages of in vitro fertilization (IVF),
our specialists in Chicago and Northwest Indiana will gladly provide as many
answers as possible.
The success of IVF depends upon a number of factors, such as the age of the
patient, the quality of sperm and eggs, the skill of the physician, the health
of the woman’s uterus, and the duration of infertility. The success rate for
achieving pregnancy averages 20 to 30 percent of patients. Successful pregnancy
following IVF can be determined through blood tests performed approximately 13
days following the procedure or by ultrasound after 30 to 40 days.
www.midwestfertilitycenter.com
Midwest Fertility Center
Main Office
4333 Main Street
Downers Grove, Illinois 60515
P: 630-810-0212
F: 630-810-1027
IVF Clinics Indianapolis :
IVF Clinics
Fort Wayne : IVF Clinics NW Indiana |
