In vitro fertilization (IVF) is a fertility treatment that helps many people grow their families. InVia Fertility has locations across Illinois, including Arlington Heights, Chicago, Crystal Lake, Hoffman Estates, Northbrook, and Rockford, that can offer fertility treatments, including IVF.
Want to learn more about how IVF works and what you can expect from each step in the process? Read on!
Initial Consultation and Fertility Testing
All fertility patients at InVia Fertility have an initial consultation and fertility testing. During an initial consultation, you can take the time to get to know your fertility specialist, share your fertility goals, and ask any questions you may have.
You and your partner will both undergo fertility testing. Fertility testing helps your fertility specialist pinpoint potential causes of infertility in order to create a personalized treatment plan, which may include IVF if that is determined to be the best treatment option for you.
Once fertility testing is complete, you can discuss your options with your fertility specialist and the next steps of your treatment plan.
In Vitro Fertilization Process
IVF is a treatment option that uses your own eggs or sperm or donor eggs and sperm. Many LGBTQ+ people use IVF with the help of a donor or gestational carrier to grow their families. InVia Fertility does not have an in-house surrogate or donor program; however, our experienced team will guide you through the process and connect you with reputable resources for matching with a surrogate and/or choosing a donor.
Controlled Ovarian Stimulation and Monitoring
IVF begins with controlled ovarian stimulation. The person supplying the eggs for the IVF process will take self-injectable hormone medication to encourage the ovary to develop multiple mature eggs, unlike a typical menstrual cycle, which only develops one egg per month. Throughout the administration of this medication, your fertility specialist will monitor you to determine how your body is responding to the medications and when the eggs are matured.
When the eggs are fully developed, you’ll receive a “trigger shot,” which will initiate the final maturation of the eggs.
Egg Retrieval
About 36 hours after the “trigger shot,” your eggs will be ready for retrieval. An egg retrieval is an in-office procedure that takes only a few minutes. You’ll be under anesthesia to keep you as comfortable as possible.
An ultrasound will guide a needle to each ovarian follicle to draw out the eggs and surrounding fluid. The eggs will be transferred to our lab for fertilization.
An egg retrieval is a relatively painless procedure with minimal recovery time, you can return to normal activities in about 48 hours.
Sperm Collection
A semen sample will be collected from your partner or a sperm donor at our fertility clinic. This is typically done by masturbating into a cup, but semen can also be collected directly from the testicle if needed.
Our highly skilled embryologists will separate the sperm cells from the seminal fluid.
Fertilization and Genetic Testing
Our embryologists will select the best eggs and sperm for fertilization. The sperm will fertilize the eggs in the lab. We will monitor all the embryos for three to five days to determine the healthiest for transfer.
The IVF lab team can also perform pre-implantation genetic testing on the embryos to determine if potential genetic conditions may occur during pregnancy or childhood. Genetic testing has numerous benefits, including helping you prevent passing on genetic conditions to a future child. With genetic testing, our team can also select an embryo that has increased odds of implantation and decreases the risk of miscarriage.
Embryo Transfer
The best day 5 embryo will be prepared for transfer into the uterus. This transfer is an in-office procedure during which you’ll be awake. There will only be minimal discomfort, similar to a pap smear, and the entire transfer process only takes a few minutes.
Once the embryo transfers, it will hopefully implant into the uterus, and you will become pregnant. Two weeks after the embryo transfer is complete, you will return to our office for a pregnancy test to determine if the embryo was successfully implanted into the uterus, creating a pregnancy.
Schedule a Fertility Consultation to Discuss IVF Today
A fertility consultation can help determine if IVF is the right fertility treatment to help you grow your family. You can request an appointment at any of our locations across Illinois to meet with a fertility specialist and begin the IVF process. Contact us to request an appointment today.
