Vitro fertilization how does it work

Your doctor can also implant embryos in a surrogate, or gestational carrier. This is a woman who carries your baby for you. The success rate of IVF varies. According to the American Pregnancy Association , the live birth rate for women under age 35 undergoing IVF is 41 to 43 percent. This rate falls to 13 to 18 percent for women over the age of IVF helps people with infertility who want to have a baby. IVF is expensive and invasive, so couples often try other fertility treatments first.

These may include taking fertility drugs or having intrauterine insemination. Parents may also choose IVF if they run the risk of passing a genetic disorder on to their offspring.

A medical lab can test the embryos for genetic abnormalities. Then, a doctor only implants embryos without genetic defects. Before beginning IVF, women will first undergo ovarian reserve testing. This involves taking a blood sample and testing it for the level of follicle stimulating hormone FSH. The results of this test will give your doctor information about the size and quality of your eggs.

Your doctor will also examine your uterus. This may involve doing an ultrasound , which uses high-frequency sound waves to create an image of your uterus.

Your doctor may also insert a scope through your vagina and into your uterus. These tests can reveal the health of your uterus and help the doctor determine the best way to implant the embryos. Men will need to have sperm testing. This involves giving a semen sample, which a lab will analyze for the number, size, and shape of the sperm.

If the sperm are weak or damaged, a procedure called intracytoplasmic sperm injection ICSI may be necessary. During ICSI, a technician injects sperm directly into the egg. Choosing to have IVF is a very personal decision. There are a number of factors to consider. A woman normally produces one egg during each menstrual cycle. However, IVF requires multiple eggs. In intracytoplasmic sperm injection ICSI , a single healthy sperm is injected directly into each mature egg.

ICSI is often used when semen quality or number is a problem or if fertilization attempts during prior in vitro fertilization cycles failed. Three days after fertilization, a normally developing embryo will contain about six to 10 cells. By the fifth or sixth day, the fertilized egg is known as a blastocyst — a rapidly dividing ball of cells.

The inner group of cells will become the embryo. The outer group will become the cells that nourish and protect it. Embryo transfer is done at your doctor's office or a clinic and usually takes place two to five days after egg retrieval. If successful, an embryo will implant in the lining of your uterus about six to 10 days after egg retrieval. After the embryo transfer, you can resume your usual daily activities. However, your ovaries may still be enlarged. Consider avoiding vigorous activity, which could cause discomfort.

If you develop moderate or severe pain after the embryo transfer, contact your doctor. He or she will evaluate you for complications such as infection, twisting of an ovary ovarian torsion and severe ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome. About 12 days to two weeks after egg retrieval, your doctor will test a sample of your blood to detect whether you're pregnant. The chances of giving birth to a healthy baby after using IVF depend on various factors, including:.

Talk with your doctor about any factors that apply to you and how they may affect your chances of a successful pregnancy. Explore Mayo Clinic studies of tests and procedures to help prevent, detect, treat or manage conditions. Mayo Clinic does not endorse companies or products. Advertising revenue supports our not-for-profit mission. This content does not have an English version. This content does not have an Arabic version. Overview In vitro fertilization Open pop-up dialog box Close.

In vitro fertilization During in vitro fertilization, eggs are removed from mature follicles within an ovary A. Request an Appointment at Mayo Clinic. Egg-retrieval technique Open pop-up dialog box Close.

Egg-retrieval technique Typically, transvaginal ultrasound aspiration is used to retrieve eggs. Blastocyst Open pop-up dialog box Close. Blastocyst Three days after fertilization, a normally developing embryo will contain about six to 10 cells. Share on: Facebook Twitter. Show references Treating infertility. American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. Accessed April 30, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Assisted reproductive technologies: A guide for patients.

American Society for Reproductive Medicine. Anchan RM, et al. Gestational carrier pregnancy. Infertility fact sheet.

Office on Women's Health. Paulson R. In vitro fertilization. IVF: Frequently asked questions. Society for Assisted Reproductive Technology.

Infertility FAQs. Evaluating infertility. Ovarian hyperstimulation. The eggs are monitored to confirm that fertilization and cell division are taking place. Once this occurs, the fertilized eggs are considered embryos. A catheter or small tube is inserted into the uterus to transfer the embryos.

This procedure is painless for most women, although some may experience mild cramping. If the procedure is successful, implantation typically occurs around six to ten days following egg retrieval.

The success rate depends on a number of factors including reproductive history, maternal age, the cause of infertility, and lifestyle factors. It is also important to understand that pregnancy rates are not the same as live birth rates.

Although you may need to take it easy after the procedure, most women can resume normal activities the following day. As with most medical procedures, there are potential risks. More severe symptoms, typically from OHSS, include the following:.

If you experience any of these symptoms above, contact your doctor right away. Additional risks of IVF include the following:. You may choose to use donor eggs, sperm, or embryos. However, make sure to talk with a counselor experienced with donor issues. You will want to be informed about various legal issues related to gamete donation including the legal rights of the donor.

The number of embryos transferred typically depends on the number of eggs collected and maternal age. As the rate of implantation decreases as women age, more eggs may be implanted depending on age to increase the likelihood of implantation. However, a greater number of eggs transferred increases the chances of having a multiples pregnancy.

Make sure to talk with your doctor before the procedure so you both agree on how many embryos to implant. There are a number of questions to ask regarding the cost and details of specific centers and fertility programs. Some couples want to explore more traditional or over the counter efforts before exploring infertility procedures. If you are trying to get pregnant and looking for resources to support your efforts, we invite you to check out the fertility product and resource guide provided by our corporate sponsor.

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