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Center for Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility
Women usually grow a single egg in a month. In order to maximize the number of
eggs for in vitro fertilization, the patient takes medication that can be
utilized alone or in combination to induce several follicles to develop. Egg
development is monitored by ultrasound imaging of the ovaries and by monitoring
of blood hormone levels. When the follicles reach a satisfactory size, you will
receive an injection of human chronic gonadotropin (HCG) in the evening or early
morning. This initiates the final phase of egg development in preparation for
egg retrieval. The decision of when you receive the HCG is based on follicle
size and the time that the retrieval will occur (usually 34-36 hours following
the injection). We recommend limiting very strenuous activity and exercise
during this phase, as the ovaries are maximally stimulated. Strenuous activity
could result in rupture of the follicles or twisting of the ovaries. You will
receive other pre-operative instructions at this time.
Egg retrieval from your ovaries takes place between 34 to 36 hours after the HCG
injection. This timing is critical. It is the time the egg matures, just before
ovulation. The ultrasound guided aspiration is usually performed in the office
with intravenous sedation. For the procedure, an IV is started in the arm and
medication given to induce sedation, minimize discomfort and to prevent nausea.
A needle is introduced through the vagina into the ovaries and the eggs are
aspirated. The follicle aspiration sometimes causes mild discomfort. Antibiotics
are given through the IV when retrieval is completed, then the IV is removed.
The patient spends up to an hour in our recovery room, then may go home. The IV
site and vein used may become tender and hardened. If there is concern, please
notify the doctor. Following this procedure, you may have a small amount of
spotting or bleeding, neither of which are serious. If there is increasing
abdominal discomfort and/or fever, you should notify the office immediately.
Complications to the bowel, blood vessels and bladder are rare with
ultrasound-guided aspiration of eggs. Our patients undergo the egg harvesting
procedure in our office under local anesthesia and IV sedation. Not only is this
environment more comforting and convenient, there is the added benefit of not
incurring hospital fees.
www.infertility-azctr.com
5190 E. Farness Drive #114 Tucson, Arizona 85712
(520) 326-0001
Reproductive Health Center
A couple may be diagnosed as infertile after having tried for six months to a
year to conceive a child without success. With age playing a significant role in
a couples' ability to conceive, and with a growing number of Americans waiting
until later in life to have children, the incidence of infertility has begun to
rise. Infertility currently affects nearly 20 percent of all couples in America,
and may be attributable to the man, woman, or both. As an Assisted Reproductive
Technology, in vitro fertilization has proven quite successful for patients at
our Tucson clinic.
In vitro fertilization was successfully performed for the first time in the
United States in 1981. Since then, it has become a proven alternative in
reproductive medicine. In
simplest terms, in vitro fertilization is the process of fertilizing a woman's
egg outside of her body in a laboratory. Once fertilization occurs, the newly
formed embryo is
placed inside the mother's uterus and allowed to follow its natural course to
maturation.
IVF at our Tucson clinic begins with ovulation induction. Fertility drugs
(typically hormones) are prescribed to the woman to stimulate the production of
several eggs in her ovaries. Ultrasound is used to monitor the eggs as they
develop while hormone levels are checked through blood or urine samples. After
about 10 to 12 days, the eggs are ready to be removed from the woman. Immature
eggs develop within fluid-filled sacs, called egg follicles, which are present
within a woman's ovaries.
Hormones influence the development of the follicles. The strongest follicle will
eventually release an egg to be fertilized. The IVF procedure, performed at our
clinic treating patients from Yuma and other Arizona communities, depends on
more than one mature egg. Using a method known as follicular aspiration, the
physician guides a thin needle through the woman's vagina and into the ovary.
Suction is used to retrieve viable follicles in order that multiple eggs can be
fertilized. The process is non-invasive, and is performed with mild sedation and
a local anesthetic. While the procedure is not entirely painless, the discomfort
is often compared to that of menstrual cramping or abdominal tenderness.
www.ivftucson.com
Scot M. Hutchison, MD
4518 E. Camp Lowell Dr.
Tucson, AZ 85712
ph. 866-906-7761
fx. 520-733-0771
Arizona Andrology Laboratory and CryoBank
Cryopreservation of semen, also known as freezing or banking, allows sperm to be
preserved and stored at ultra-low temperatures for future fertility procedures.
A complete semen analysis is performed to determine the quality of the specimen
and the total number of motile sperm that are present. Based on the overall
quality and number of motile sperm present, the semen sample is then mixed with
specific volumes of media and preservant and divided into a calculated number of
vials. These vials are then slowly cooled down to extremely low temperatures and
stored in liquid nitrogen tanks.
Cryopreserved semen can remain viable for use for many decades, thus preserving
the fertility potential of the patient for many years. The AALC sends out all
serum
hormone testing to one of the top-of-the-line laboratories in Tucson to ensure
the highest quality in test results and “turn around time” for results. This
means you can have all your fertility work-up and testing done on a “one-stop”
basis at our laboratory!
The Arizona Andrology Laboratory & Cryobank is committed to providing
confidential, state-of-the-art male fertility testing and processing in a
uniquely professional and
friendly atmosphere.
www.arizonaandrology.com
Gateway Wellness Center - 850 N. Kolb Road, Tucson, AZ 85710
Phone: 520-885-2689 - Fax: 520-731-0715
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