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 Virginia Infertility Specialist Norfolk
IVF, in vitro fertilization, was first performed successfully in the United States at the Jones Institute for Reproductive Medicine, Eastern Virginia Medical School. Our specialized IVF team includes reproductive endocrinologists, IVF nurse coordinators, IVF laboratory specialists, and andrologists. The combined efforts of these individuals are responsible for our superior pregnancy IVF success rates.
In vitro fertilization ( IVF ) is a process that involves the use of medications ( FSH ), to stimulate the development, growth, and maturation of eggs located within follicles on the ovaries. FSH dosages are individualized for each patient; responses are carefully monitored using ultrasound and estradiol measurements.
The risks of egg retrieval include bleeding, which may require transfusion and a laparoscopy and / or laparotomy to correct the situation, and infection, which may require hospitalization with intravenous antibiotic therapy. Ovarian torsion also has been described. Death has been reported ( though not from our clinic ) following transvaginal follicular aspiration. Major complications are extremely rare but do occur, as with any minor operative procedure.
Today, moderate and severe cases of male infertility are efficiently treated by the use of assisted reproductive technology ( ART ). Among these modalities, in vitro fertilization ( IVF ) and embryo transfer, augmented by intracytoplasmic sperm injection ( ICSI ), constitute formidable and successful means to achieve viable pregnancies in these groups of patients. ICSI has become a revolutionary alternative that offers a high chance of conception to men presenting with previously intractable or irreversible infertility.
It is mandatory for the male partner of all infertile couples to undergo a thorough physical examination followed by repeated semen analyses. The semen analysis should always include a state - of - the - art determination of the basic semen parameters ( i.e., sperm concentration, motility, morphology, and viability ) as well as an immunological ( presence of antisperm antibodies ) and a microbiological ( semen culture ) investigation. If needed, more advanced sperm function tests should be performed; for example, valuable information about sperm fertilizing capacity can be obtained through the assessment of sperm - zona pellucida binding ( using the hemizona assay ), acrosome reaction tests, and other bioassays. The Jones Institute is one of a few programs that has a PhD andrologist devoted to semen analyses.
www.jonesinstitute.org
601 Colley Avenue, Norfolk, Virginia 23507
Phone 800-515-6637 or 757-446-7100
Life Source Ferility
In Vitro Fertilization, commonly known as IVF, involves the collection of eggs and sperm that are mixed outside the woman's body in a culture dish or test tube. Any resulting embryos are left to grow for around 1 to 3 days to check that they are developing normally and then up to three embryos are transferred into the woman's womb. If the treatment is successful, one or more embryos will implant in the lining of the womb and for each a fetus and placenta will develop. The woman will then be pregnant, just as if the woman had conceived naturally.
Initially the timing for the oocyte aspiration was based on multiple measurements of urinary LH resulting in a laparoscopic surgery, frequently performed in the middle of the night, resulting in the retrieval of one egg. This required a truly dedicated lab and operating room. With time various centers experimented with ovulation stimulating agents such as clomiphene and human menopausal gonadotropin (hMG, Pergonal). This allowed the retrieval of more oocytes, and therefore increased the chance for fertilization, development, and transfer. As these services expanded, so did the indications for IVF. In addition to tubal factors, IVF was now performed on couples having infertility from ovulatory problems, male factors, endometriosis, age related issues, and unknown reasons. In 1985 Serono developed a purified urinary FSH (follicle stimulating hormone). Uses of this product, either alone or in combination with other ovulation stimulating agents, seemed to improve both the number and quality of the oocytes. One problem still plaguing the process was that of spontaneous ovulation. Up to one third of cycles were canceled due to the development of a premature LH surge or release of the oocytes. The development and distribution of a GnRH agonist (Lupron) in 1986 (originally used for the treatment of prostate cancer) was the key to controlling that problem. This allowed the suppression of the normal LH surge in order to time retrievals. Once again, the number of follicles stimulated increased, thereby enabling the capture of more oocytes.
The next big development was changing the method by which oocytes are retrieved. Initially this was performed as a surgical laparoscopic procedure, thereby limiting to whom, when and where services could be provided. Starting in the mid-1980s, ultrasound guided ovarian cyst aspiration was developed. This method transformed oocyte collection from a surgical procedure to one performed in an office setting. At the same time GIFT (gamete intrafallopian tube transfer) was developing a following as a way of assisting pregnancy in women with normal fallopian tubes. Oocytes were aspirated, mixed with sperm and placed back into the fallopian tubes where they would fertilize normally, divide, and travel to the uterus for implantation.
lifesourcefertility.com
Life Source Fertility Center
7603 Forest Avenue, Suite 204
Richmond, VA 23229
(804) 673-2273
Richmond Infertility and Fertility
In vitro fertilization, also commonly known as IVF, has been used successfully since the 1970's. It is the treatment of choice in cases of infertility when both fallopian tubes are blocked. However, IVF may also be used for unexplained infertility, endometriosis, cervical factor infertility, ovulation disorders, or when a man has a low sperm count. Approximately 25 to 35 percent of women who try in vitro fertilization conceive - however, the likelihood of success can vary from 0 percent to 70 percent depending on such factors the women's age, the reason for the infertility, and the experience of the IVF program.
Virginia IVF and Andrology Center encourages patients to bring favorite relaxing music, a favorite pillow, slippers, or other items for both aspiration and transfer. It is important to follow all physician instructions regarding preparation for each procedure, including diet and medication. All patients must have someone available to drive them home from aspiration due to the use of sedation.
Intra Cytoplasmic Sperm Injection (ICSI) is a relatively new procedure preformed if there is a question of the sperm's ability to fertilize the egg. This can be accomplished even if there is a low sperm count or if there is poor sperm quality. The ICSI procedure is performed similar to regular IVF but with ICSI, the eggs and sperm are retrieved and then inseminated within the laboratory by direct injection of a single sperm into each egg. Three to five days later the resulting embryos are simply placed into the uterus with no surgery, just as with IVF.
The availability of this Intra-Cytoplasmic Sperm Injection, "ICSI" technique means that men whose sperm previously were too weak or too few to fertilize by conventional in vitro fertilization (IVF), now should have little problem in most cases in fertilizing their wife's eggs. The fertilization rate per egg using ICSI is about 70%, the fertilization rate per infertile couple is over 99% if the wife has adequate eggs. This rate is very similar to IVF with normal sperm.
vaivf.com
Andrology Center
Monday – Friday 8:30 to 4:00
Richmond, VA 23235
(804) 323-9980IVF Clinics Alexandria & IVF Clinics Charlottesville : IVF Clinics Norfolk : IVF Clinics Richmond : IVF Clinics Roanoke |
