What you need to know about in vitro fertilization

If you have infertility, you are not alone. About 12 percent of women aged 18 to 44 in the United States have difficulty getting pregnant or carrying a pregnancy to term. Infertility is defined as the inability to get pregnant after a year or more of trying, and there are several causes of infertility in both men and women.

At INTEGRIS Bennett Fertility, we offer several services to help you get pregnant, including artificial insemination, embryo transfer, embryo or sperm freezing, genetic testing and in vitro fertilization (IVF).

What is in vitro fertilization?

In vitro fertilization is an assisted reproduction technology in which eggs are surgically removed, fertilized by sperm in a laboratory, and implanted in the uterus via a medical procedure. IVF success rates may vary depending on your age and the reason for infertility. However, the CDC recently found that IVF success rates increased in each age group as the techniques were refined.

The first IVF birth was in England in 1978. Since then it has been an integral part of infertility treatment – a treatment we have proudly offered since 1985 with consistently high success rates.

In vitro fertilization may be a good option for couples with any of the following infertility diagnoses.

• Blockage or absence of fallopian tubes
• Semen abnormalities
• Severe endometriosis or pelvic scarring
• Unexplained infertility
• Potential for future genetic abnormalities or habitual miscarriages

However, IVF is not recommended for patients with serious illnesses or in cases where pregnancy could be dangerous. Fibroid tumors, ovarian dysfunction, abnormal hormone levels, and uterine abnormalities can reduce your chances of pregnancy through IVF.

How does in vitro fertilization work?

An in vitro fertilization cycle is typically a seven week process, including ovarian removal, ovarian stimulation, egg retrieval, and embryo transfer.

IVF weeks 1 to 5

The first five weeks of the IVF cycle are devoted to ovarian suppression via oral contraceptives. This helps to optimize the chances of uniform follicle growth and improves the ovarian response during stimulation, which can lead to better egg retrieval.

IVF, week six

During the sixth week of the IVF cycle, you will be given daily injections to stimulate ovarian stimulation. You and your partner will learn to use injectable fertility drugs safely and easily at home. Some people experience ovarian fullness or skin reactions, but side effects usually tend to be minimal. During this time, you will likely have several appointments for ultrasounds and monitoring of your blood hormone levels.

IVF week seven

During the seventh week, you will have surgical recovery of the eggs. The procedure takes 30 to 45 minutes under intravenous sedation. A needle is inserted vaginally into the ovaries and the follicular fluid containing the eggs is withdrawn. A semen sample is taken during this time. Several hours later, the sperm and eggs are combined in a lab where they are incubated for five days.

After your egg retrieval, you will start taking progesterone to support the development of a healthy pregnancy. Within five days, the embryos will be transferred to your uterus in a short procedure that does not require anesthesia.

IVF, week nine

After two weeks, we will ask you to take a pregnancy blood test to determine if the IVF cycle was successful. You will usually receive a follow-up test and an obstetric ultrasound to confirm your pregnancy.

What are the risks of in vitro fertilization?

It is important to talk to your doctor before choosing an infertility treatment plan. Any treatment comes with risks and you should be aware of the potential risks before you start. IVF is associated with the following risks.

• Surgical risks such as bleeding, infection, injury to vital organs or anesthetic complications are rare.
• Less than 5 percent of patients will have some degree of hyperstimulation syndrome, a condition in which the ovaries grow larger and produce excess fluid in the abdomen.
• Nausea, vomiting, difficulty breathing, abdominal swelling and weight gain may result. About one percent of patients undergoing IVF will be hospitalized with this condition, usually for several days of observation, IV fluids and occasionally drainage of excess abdominal fluid.
• Twins occur in less than 10 percent of IVF pregnancies.
• Common side effects during the IVF cycle are abdominal tenderness, cramps, emotional changes, and discomfort at the injection sites.

If you suffer from infertility, contact INTEGRIS Bennett Fertility to make an appointment and learn more about your options for starting a family. For more tips on a healthy lifestyle for the whole family, visit our In Your Health blog.