Your Health - In Vitro Fertilization

In Vitro Fertilization

(IVF)

Definition

In vitro fertilization (IVF) is a process where sperm and an egg are joined together outside of the body to create an embryo. The embryo can then be inserted into a mother's womb.

Fallopian Tube, Ovary, and Uterus

Reasons for Procedure

IVF is done to help a woman become pregnant when there is difficulty becoming pregnant naturally.

It is most often done when infertility is due to:

Damaged fallopian tubes
Ovulation disorders
Cervical factors
Male factors, such as low sperm count or poor-quality sperm

Possible Complications

If you are planning to have IVF, your doctor will review a list of possible complications, which may include:

Still not being able to become pregnant—Older women (> 40 yrs) are less likely to conceive and carry to term.
Having multiple babies
Ectopic pregnancy (embryo develops outside the uterus)
Anesthesia-related problems
Short- and long-term adverse effects from fertility drugs
Ovarian rupture (rare)

What to Expect

Prior to Procedure

Your doctor will likely do the following:

Physical and pelvic exam
Infertility testing for both you and your partner
Hormone treatments to stimulate production of multiple eggs
Repeated blood tests and ultrasound exams to monitor the development of multiple egg follicles
Schedule an appropriate time for harvesting mature eggs—closely timed to coincide with ovulation

Anesthesia

General anesthesia, spinal anesthesia, or IV sedation may be used during harvesting of the eggs.
No anesthesia is used during the transfer of the fertilized embryo.

Description of the Procedure

The male, if fertile, refrains from ejaculating for two or three days. He then collects semen through masturbation. Penile scar tissue or other conditions may block the natural release of sperm. If this is the case, a sperm aspiration from the testicles may be done. Sometimes, the man's sperm can be frozen ahead of time. If the male partner is unable to produce viable sperm, donor sperm may be used.

Egg Harvesting

An ultrasound-guided technique is often used to harvest the eggs. The ultrasound probe has a needle attached to the end. The instruments are inserted into the vagina. The ultrasound uses radio waves to view the ovaries and the developed egg follicles in the ovaries. The needle punctures the egg follicles. The fluid and eggs are removed through the needle. The fluid is inspected. It is immediately placed in a clean, nutritive culture material. The fluid will be kept in an incubator.

Between 50,000 and 100,000 of the most mobile, healthy sperm are chosen. They are mixed with the harvested eggs. Sometimes, a process called intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) may be done. It may help to increase the chances of fertilization. The culture dish is kept at normal body temperature inside an incubator for 2-3 days. During that time, sperm are expected to fertilize 60%-80% of the eggs. Once fertilized, early cell division begins and embryos develop.

Transferring Procedure

A certain number of the embryos (usually 1-5) are placed into your uterus (womb). Fewer embryos decrease the chance of multiples (eg, twins, triplets). The other embryos may be frozen. They may be saved for future IVF cycles. You may also choose to donate them to other infertile couples.

A catheter tube is inserted into the vagina. It will be threaded through the cervical canal and into the uterus. The embryos are then passed into the uterus. You may be positioned face down with your knees at your chest. A special table that tilts the uterus downward may also be used. These positions allow gravity to help keep the embryos in the uterus for implantation.

How Long Will It Take?

Harvesting—30 minutes or less
Transfer procedure—lasts about 10 minutes

How Much Will It Hurt?

The egg harvesting can be uncomfortable. Anesthesia is given to decrease the discomfort.

Post-procedure Care

At the Care Center

Following egg harvesting, expect to rest at the center for a few hours before going home.

At Home

Following embryo transfer procedure:

You will probably be able to resume normal activities within a few days.
Follow the instructions for any medicine given.
Return in 10-12 days for a pregnancy test.
If the pregnancy test indicates conception, an ultrasound will be scheduled for a few weeks later. It will be able to see if more than one egg is growing.
If all is going well, you will start your prenatal care. It is important to go to all of your scheduled appointments.

It can be difficult to wait two weeks for the results. Even if pregnancy occurs, a miscarriage remains a possibility. If pregnancy did not occur, the next attempt should be at least one month later.

Success rates for the first three cycles are about the same (about 10% per cycle). The rates then start to decrease. Success rates are influenced by both age and the cause of infertility. Only 15% to 20% of couples using IVF conceive and deliver a baby.

Call Your Doctor

After arriving home, contact your doctor if any of the following occurs:

Signs of infection, including fever and chills
Foul-smelling vaginal discharge
Vaginal bleeding
Abdominal pain or cramping
Cough, shortness of breath, chest pain, or severe nausea or vomiting
Any unusual symptoms

In case of an emergency, CALL 911.

RESOURCES:

American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists
http://www.acog.org/publications/patient_education/

American Society for Reproductive Medicine
http://www.asrm.org/

CANADIAN RESOURCES:

The Infertility Awareness Association of Canada
http://www.iaac.ca/

Women's Health Matters
http://www.womenshealthmatters.ca/

References:

American Society for Reproductive Medicine website. Available at: http://www.asrm.org. Accessed December 9, 2008.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website. Available at: http://www.cdc.gov. Accessed December 9, 2008.

International Council on Infertility Information Dissemination website. Available at: http://www.inciid.org/ivf.html. Accessed December 9, 2008.

The National Infertility Association website. Available at: http://www.resolve.org/. Accessed December 9, 2008.

Last reviewed November 2009 by Ganson Purcell Jr., MD, FACOG, FACPE

Please be aware that this information is provided to supplement the care provided by your physician. It is neither intended nor implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice. CALL YOUR HEALTHCARE PROVIDER IMMEDIATELY IF YOU THINK YOU MAY HAVE A MEDICAL EMERGENCY. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider prior to starting any new treatment or with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.