Overview:
In-vitro fertilization is a process that involves the administration
of medications that stimulate the development, growth, and maturation
of eggs on the ovaries. This process of egg recruitment typically
starts with a medication called Lupron which helps us control
the menstrual cycle by decreasing your body's production of Follicle
Stimulating Hormone (FSH) and Luteinizing Hormone (LH). After
the Lupron is administered for 12 to 14 days we then start the
administration of injectable medications to stimulate egg development.
The egg development will be followed closely with a combination
of ultrasound monitoring and blood work. When the eggs have reached
optimum maturation (typically after 10 days of medications) human
chorionic gonadotropin (HCG) is administered to start the sequence
of ovulation. Approximately 35 hours after the HCG administration
you are given anesthesia and your eggs are harvested from your
ovaries with a needle guided by ultrasound.
After the eggs are removed from the ovary they are placed in culture media designed to mimic the conditions of the fallopian tube (where fertilization typically takes place). The eggs are then combined with the sperm and the resulting embryos are nourished in an incubator that is maintained at precise temperatures to mimic the conditions in the human body.
 Embryo development is then observed assessing embryo morphology, cell count and growth velocity. At the appropriate stage of development the embryos are placed into the uterus through a very simple procedure similar to a pap smear. A pregnancy test is then performed approximately 10 days later.
It is through these technologies that we have been able to dramatically increase pregnancy rates for women with infertility. This procedure bypasses the fallopian tubes and accordingly patients with damaged or absent fallopian tubes can become pregnant. This technique has also been instrumental in helping patients with endometriosis, severe male factor infertility, and many other disorders become pregnant.
Southeastern Fertility Center also offers a variety of modifications to the standard IVF process to help patients with specific disorders. We offer intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) for couples with male factor infertility, preimplantation genetic diagnosis (PGD) for couples with genetic disorders and assisted hatching for patients with repeat IVF failure.
| 
