When it comes to growing families, no single technology has had more of an impact than IVF. Today there are well over 5 million people in the world who were born using IVF, and that number is expected to grow significantly.
While there is a great deal of helpful information available about IVF, there is also a lot of misinformation and outdated information.
The goal of this guide is to answer some of the most common questions about IVF and provide you with understanding and information that you can use when talking with your doctor or a fertility specialist.
What Is In Vitro Fertilization (IVF)?
IVF is a method of assisted reproductive technology (ART) in which eggs and sperm are combined outside the womb (uterus) in a specialized laboratory. If the egg fertilizes and begins cell division, the resulting embryo can be transferred into the woman’s uterus where it will hopefully implant in the uterine lining and further develop to a healthy infant. It can also be frozen and saved for the future.
IVF is currently the most effective form of assisted reproductive technology. The procedure can be done using a woman’s own eggs and a partner’s sperm, or sperm or eggs from a known or anonymous donor. Additionally, a gestational carrier/surrogate may be used to carry the pregnancy.
What Other Procedures Can Be Combined with IVF?
While IVF has a long history, dating back to 1978, new techniques and procedures have increased the success rates and lowered the costs.
- ICSI – Intracytoplasmic Sperm Injection
This procedure allows a fertility specialist to inject a single sperm into an egg. New screening technologies allow fertility specialists to combine the healthiest sperm and egg. This procedure has improved the chances of an egg being fertilized and resulting in an embryo that can be transferred into the uterus. - PGS – Pre-Implantation Genetic Screening / CCS (Comprehensive Chromosome Screening)
It is possible to analyze biopsied cells from an embryo before implantation to determine whether it has a chromosomal error or genetic mutation present. This helps avoid implanting embryos that will not likely lead to a healthy pregnancy. - FET – Frozen Embryo Transfer
Frozen embryos created during IVF can be used at later time for transfer into the uterus. This procedure has high success rates, allows banking of embryos, and gives patients an opportunity to get pregnant when they choose.
