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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) 323-9980
IVF
Clinics Alexandria &
IVF Clinics Charlottesville :
IVF Clinics
Norfolk : IVF Clinics Richmond :
IVF Clinics Roanoke |
