What is In Vitro Fertilization?

IVF involves surgically taking eggs from a woman, fertilizing them in the laboratory with her partner's sperm to produce embryos, and transferring the resulting embryos back to her uterus 2-6 days later.

Stimulating the woman with injected medications to develop multiple eggs starts the process. These injections begin on the 21st day after the start of her last period. These injections continue for approximately 8 days. Blood and ultrasound testing is done every 1-3 days starting on approximately the 9th day to monitor the development of the eggs. Monitoring is vital to the process to ensure proper growth and number of eggs. Injections continue for approximately 10 more days. When monitoring is complete and you are instructed to do so by your physician, you will get an injection of HCG. This will be your last injection. Two days later at an exact pre- determined time you will under go the egg retrieval procedure. At this time your physician will surgically remove the egg follicles for fertilization in the lab with your partner's sperm. This procedure is usually painless and requires only one day of rest. Between 2-6 days later when ready (solely at your physician's direction) the resulting embryos are transferred back to the woman's uterus for natural development and an excellent chance at pregnancy.

• STEP 1. Coordinating and Scheduling the cycle
• STEP 2. Medication Injections
• STEP 3. Daily Monitoring (sonogram average of 4)
• STEP 4. Estrogen Measure Blood Test (Estradiol average 4)
• STEP 5. HCG Injection (Trigger Shot)
• STEP 6. Egg Retrieval procedure
• STEP 7. Embryo Transfer

A sample In Vitro Fertilization calendar and description is shown below. Please be sure your physician provides you with a personal schedule for your cycle.

Please note that this is based on a typical 28-day menstrual cycle without birth control pills. This demonstrates the days that various medications are taken and procedures are performed.

• Day One - First day of menstrual cycle.
• Day 21 - Exactly 21 days after the start of your menstrual cycle you will start subcutaneous injections of Lupron once daily. These injections are generally given or taken in the thigh area.
• Day 22-27 - Continue Lupron as above.
• Day 28 - First day of next menstrual cycle. Continue Lupron injections as above.
• Day 29 - Continue Lupron. Blood blood test and ultrasound performed.
• Day 30 - Continue Lupron. Begin subcutaneous FSH injections. FSH is a medication containing follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) which causes follicles to develop in the ovaries. You may have to take twice daily at the same times in the morning and the evening.
• Day 31-32 - Continue Lupron and FSH as above.
• Day 33 - Blood test. Continue Lupron, and FSH injections.
• Day 34 - Continue Lupron and FSH injections
• Day 35 - Blood test, Ultrasound. Continue Lupron and FSH injections.
• Day 36 - Continue Lupron and FSH injections.
• Day 37 - Blood Test, Ultrasound. Take FINAL Lupron and FSH injections.
• Day 38 - Blood test. Take intramuscular injection of HCG at an exact time as specified by your physician. This is a time sensitive shot. Shot is given in the backside as instructed by your physician. HCG is a medication that causes eggs to mature. This signifies the end of your shots.
• Day 39 - DAY OFF!!!!!
• Day 40 - Egg retrieval procedure. This is the surgical procedure of obtaining the eggs from the woman's ovaries. One full day is required for recovery and it is usually painless. The procedure only takes about 40 minutes.
• Day 41 - Begin progesterone vaginal suppositories. Progesterone helps to prepare the uterine lining for embryo implementation. REST.
• Day 42, 43 or 44 - Embryo transfer procedure. This is the procedure that places the embryos back into the uterine cavity. This procedure is performed on day 3, 4, or 5 after the egg retrieval procedure. The decision is up to you and your physician and depends on how the eggs are maturing. The trend is to wait until day five, or the blastocyst stage. The procedure is quick and painless and requires one day of rest.
• Day 42-52 - Continue progesterone suppositories as instructed by your physician.
• Day 53 - PREGNANCY TEST. Continue progesterone suppositories.