In-Vitro Fertilization

In traditional IVF fertilization, thousands of swimming sperm are placed next to the egg in a laboratory dish. Fertilization occurs when one of the sperm enters into the outer layer or cytoplasm of the egg. See Figure 6.1 Traditional Fertilization.

For a variety of reasons, sometimes the sperm cannot penetrate the outer layer of the egg. The egg’s outer layer may be thick or hard to penetrate or the sperm may be unable to swim. In these cases, a procedure called intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) can be done along with IVF to help fertilize the egg. In the ICSI process, a tiny needle is used to inject a single sperm into the center of the egg. See Figure 6.2 ICSI.

The woman uses fertility injections to increase the number of eggs that are produced.

Egg retrieval is performed using ultrasound guidance in the safety of our onsite accredited surgical center with board certified anesthesiologists.

The sperm and egg are combined in the IVF laboratory. If ICSI is indicated, it is performed at this time. Once fertilization occurs, the fertilized egg, now an embryo, grows in a laboratory for 1 to 5 days before it is transferred to the woman’s uterus.

Once an embryo forms, it is placed back inside the mother’s body through her cervix.