# data[].attributes.body
A concern about in-vitro fertilization is that it creates multiple human embryos. In this case, selectivity occurs based on the physical appearance and possible disabilities of a child. Another big concern is that in-vitro fertilization requires high hormone levels which can lead to possible health problems for the mother.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
In vitro fertilization (IVF) isn't a topic that often crops up in pro-life circles, but I think it's important to highlight this as an issue that affects the movement directly and has a profound impact on the way we view the dignity and value of every human life, both in and outside the womb.

The infertility industry in the United States has been a booming industry for decades, including the multi-billion dollar business of egg donation. Young girls are showered with provocative ads promising big checks and the satisfaction of helping others who aren't able create a family by simply donating her eggs. But the lesser-publicized side of this seemingly selfless act include the deception behind coercing young donors for their eggs, exposing them to the sometimes lifelong damaging methods of extracting them, hormone overdoses, unsafe medical practices, lack of informing women of health risks attached to donating, and, all to often, no follow-up care at all. I urge anyone interested in learning more about the risks and hazards of egg donation to check out Eggsploitation, a documentary that exposes the industry's dirty little secret.

Similar to egg donation, IVF comes with its own unique set of risks. Many people have replaced the truth about IVF's damaging and destructive processes with the widely-accepted notion that conceiving via IVF helps couples with fertility problems, promotes the growth and importance of a family unit, and finally allows struggling parents to enjoy the blessing of a child or children.

And it can do all those things.

BUT it doesn't come without a cost. And I don't just mean its hefty $5,000 - $25,000 price tag.

Here are some talking points on this controversial issue that tend to slip through the cracks:

1. IVF promotes the discarding of "extra" human embryos - or developing humans, in layman's terms.

IVF usually entails the creation of multiple human embryos to ensure a greater chance of successful implantation. These human embryos are then screened for genetic disorders, handicaps and sometimes even a particular gender. The "undesirable" embryos are discarded. Normally, an IVF practitioner transfers around four of the selected embryos into a woman's uterus. If more than one (or two) successfully implant, a physician will selectively abort (kill) the remaining embryos (Nadya "Octomom" Suleman refused this "embryonic discarding", resulting in her delivering octuplets). This selective mentality leads to the death of little humans based on their gender, physical and mental handicaps, and how many exist simultaneously. This segues into the second point:

2. IVF fosters the idea that we can have whatever we want, whenever we want, however we want it.

A LifeSiteNews.com article from June highlights the life of Anthony Caruso, a former IVF practitioner who was horrified when he realized that his efforts to help women struggling with infertility was actually counterintuitive to the design of marriage and the view of children. Caruso points out that IVF works against the self-sacrificial nature of a marriage and a family, putting an IVF practitioner and, ultimately, a conceiving couple in control of something meant to have a natural design. This is echoed in a New York Times cover story about a woman named "Jenny" who aborts one of her twins conceived after IVF. "Had the pregnancy occurred naturally, she said, 'I wouldn't have reduced this pregnancy, because you feel like if there's a natural order, then you don't want to disturb it.' Nevertheless, 'The pregnancy was all so consumerish to begin with, and this became yet another thing we could control.'"

Both points illustrate the statistic that:

3. IVF often results in the conception of multiples, which in turn results in selective abortions after implantation, as well as a dangerous situation for both mother and children when the number of children who implant is unnaturally high.

I referenced the "Octomom" above, who refused to allow her IVF practitioner to discard of "extra" fertilized embryos selectively. Kate Gosselin of Jon and Kate Plus 8 fame had a similar situation, and, thankfully, both mothers refused to kill any of their children, thus bearing octuplets and sextuplets, respectively. Suleman and Gosselin by no means followed the status quo when it came to multiple implantations resulting in IFV. All too often, the unchosen embryos are destroyed, thrown out, or washed down the sink. Additionally, a mother pregnant with multiple children is naturally put in the category of high-risk pregnancy. Therefore, even if a pro-life woman refusing selective abortion carries all IVF-created children, this unnaturally creates a dangerous situation for herself and her babies.

4. IVF has proven to lead to an array of physical and mental birth defects.

Illinois Right to Life released a story on IVF, noting a study done by the New England Medical Journal which showed evidence that babies conceived by IVF have a 1 in 10 risk of birth defects - twice the rate of babies born naturally - including holes in their hearts, the development of only one kidney, brain abnormalities, and cleft lips and palettes. Studies by researchers at Johns Hopkins and Washington University discovered that children conceived from IVF have a six-fold increase in risk of Beckwith-Wiedemann syndrome, which causes malformations and cancer. This fact alone should cause us to question the morality of IVF.

5. Prepping for IVF requires significant alterations to hormone levels, which can lead to or increase the risk of health problems.

Many women need to undergo hormone therapy before and during IVF to prepare their bodies to accept the implanted embryo. Estrogen levels are usually boosted during IVF (as well as natural pregnancies) to strengthen the endometrial wall of the uterus. There are a slew of chemical-related side effects that come with a number of the hormone therapies used, but simply altering hormone levels alone can come with consequences. Having high levels of estrogen can cause irregular periods, depression, uterine fibroids, osteoporosis, memory loss, and infections.

With all this in mind, the pro-life movement does not want to stamp out any hope for couples struggling to conceive. As always, all people - born or pre-born - deserve respect, dignity and love.

And this is an issue that hits close to home for me. My oldest son, Gunner was born with cystic fibrosis and will battle a number of health problems his whole life. 97% of men with CF are infertile, and many of them were born without fully developed reproductive systems. Gunner's infertility will affect the lives of himself, his future wife and whatever grandchildren I may be blessed with in the future forever. Many people with CF choose IVF to combat low fertility rates and start a family, but it can't be accepted as a band-aid for the natural design of our lives.

One major breakthrough that exists in monitoring and maintaining women's reproductive health is NaProTECHNOLOGY (Natural Procreative Technology), a medical and surgical alternative that has been proven effective to treat infertility, ovarian cysts, polycystic ovarian disease, repetitive miscarriage, and hormonal imbalances among other health complications. NaProTECHNOLOGY monitors women's hormonal events during the menstrual cycle and identifies when gynecological systems operate abnormally, identifying the problems which may be able to be corrected.

State-of-the-art advancements like this along with education and resources will go a long way in maintaining reproductive health in women and protecting the rights of the preborn. And let's not forgot the beautiful, loving and moral option of adoption. Both NaProTECHNOLOGY and adoption provide ethical alternatives to the dangers and ethical problems with IVF.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Pro-Life Concerns About IVF Include Abortion, Exploitation

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
In vitro fertilization (IVF) isn't a topic that often crops up in pro-life circles, but I think it's important to highlight this as an issue that affects the movement directly and has a profound impact on the way we view the dignity and value of every human life, both in and outside the womb.

# data[].attributes.body
In-vitro fertilization ensures that anyone can have a baby. The sexual orientation of a couple does not matter. It also addresses infertility issues. It can help women who have had damaged fallopian tubes or men who have low sperm count. In-vitro fertilization will also improve the chances that women will have healthy pregnancies and have a healthy child.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
In-vitro fertilization (IVF) can be a very beneficial and effective treatment for some groups of patients.

IVF is a medical/surgical process in which the woman is given high doses of hormones to cause her to produce many eggs.

The eggs are then retrieved from the ovaries and the man's sperm are then allowed to fertilize the eggs outside the body.

Once the eggs begin growing they are inserted into the woman's uterus in the hope implantation and pregnancy will occur.

The main benefit of IVF is that it allows couples to overcome the common causes of infertility listed below.

Unexplained Infertility

Some couples do not have a diagnosed reason for their infertility. This is called unexplained infertility. IVF allows egg and sperm to join together outside of the woman's body and start growing in a controlled, monitored environment free from any harmful influences.

Severe Tubal Disease

Some women have extensively damaged fallopian tubes from pelvic inflammatory disease (PID) or from severe intra-abdominal infections. IVF is designed to bypass the tubes by allowing conception to occur outside the body. The fertilized eggs are then introduced into the uterus in the hope of pregnancy.

Chemotherapy

IVF allows women who are being treated for cancer with chemotherapy to be able to have children. Chemotherapy can destroy or damage the eggs within the ovary. Prior to undergoing chemotherapy treatment, some women may elect to have eggs harvested, frozen, and saved for possible subsequent attempts to have a child after the cancer treatment is completed.

Low Sperm Counts

When sperm are defective or counts are extremely low, IVF can be used to become pregnant. IVF can work for these conditions because sperm are placed directly next to the egg, and, in some cases, sperm are injected into the egg (ICSI) to allow pregnancy to occur.

Absent Ovaries

IVF can be used for a woman without ovaries. In this unique situation, eggs must be donated from another woman.

Absent Uterus

IVF treatment can allow a woman to have a child if she does not have a uterus. The eggs must harvested from the patient's ovaries and are then placed inside another woman's uterus (gestational carrier).

Older Age

IVF can be used to allow women over the age of 42 to have better chances at becoming pregnant.

To obtain this reproductive advantage, donated eggs (eggs from another woman younger than 30) must be used.

IVF in Summary

IVF has a well-established place in the treatment of infertility.

IVF can be a very beneficial treatment for couples with any of the above problems causing infertility.

For women who have had their tubes tied then having their tubes untied may be the single best step to allow natural conception and pregnancy to occur.

When tubal ligation is the only cause of infertility, then tubal ligation reversal can often be the best choice for women.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
In-vitro fertilization (IVF) can be a very beneficial and effective treatment for some groups of patients. IVF is a medical/surgical process in which the woman is given high doses of hormones to cause her to produce many eggs. The eggs are then retrieved from the ovaries and the man's sperm are then allowed to fertilize the eggs outside the body.

# data[].attributes.body
IVF gives the couple the power to manage when they want to have there baby or when they should have another. Raises the chances of receiving a healthier baby as well.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
In vitro literally translates to "in glass," referring to the glass laboratory containers in which an in vitro fertilization (IVF) occurs. Although babies fertilized in vitro are commonly called "test tube babies" (mind you, this isn't the most politically correct terminology), in vitro fertilization actually take place in a petri dish.

Today, a procedure performed in vitro simply means outside the body or living organism. The blastocyst/embryo is implanted inside the uterus after fertilization occurs.

IVF requires three things for success: healthy eggs, fertile sperm, and a uterus that can carry the pregnancy to term. IVF makes the birth of a child possible even when these variables aren't provided by the people who will parent the child.
Benefits of IVF
Anyone can have a baby. In vitro fertilization makes it possible for nearly any individual or couple to have a baby, regardless of familial status or sexual orientation. Single women and men, gay and lesbian couples, and couples who've had a hard time conceiving have all used IVF as a way to have a child.

It addresses infertility issues. IVF was traditionally used to help both men and women address infertility issues. Women with missing, damaged, or blocked fallopian tubes were some of the first patients to carry successful IVFs. The egg is fertilized outside the female body and then placed inside the uterus for a more likely implantation.

Many men with both known and unexplained infertility issues have benefited from IVF, especially in combination with intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI). ICSI targets and extracts a single sperm from a sample and injects it into the egg's cytoplasm for optimal fertilization rates.

In many cases, IVF combined with ICSI is the only way for men with a low sperm count to still be able to biologically father a child. Their only other options may be using donor sperm or adoption.

Testicular sperm aspiration can be performed on men who can't ejaculate sperm, including those with irreversible vasectomies, testicular cancer survivors, and men with low or no sperm count, blockages, and other conditions.

It increases chances of conception. Both IVF and ICSI increase the chances of fertilization regardless of whether infertility is an issue or not. Many couples choose in vitro fertilization because it helps them conceive more quickly at a time that's right for them.

It increases chances of a healthy pregnancy and child. Pre-implantation Genetic Diagnosis (PGD) is possible, allowing couples to identity chromosomal deficiencies in an embryo before is it implanted inside the uterus.

Have a baby when you want to: The availability of IVF means couples don't have to try for years to get pregnant naturally. IVF gives couples more control over factors such as spacing out children, being pregnant at the right time, and even when a child will be born.

Additional benefits: Other benefits of IVF include factors that simply give parents more options when it comes to having children:

Frozen eggs and/or sperm can be used, giving people the ability to save their healthy eggs or sperm for future use.

IVF makes pregnancy after menopause possible because the uterus can still carry a pregnancy to term after a woman's reproductive cycles have ended.

An Egg Donor can be used in cases where the woman has a low ovarian reserve or have eggs of poor quality. In other cases it would be a requirement - as for a gay couple wishing to start a family.

The option of using a Gestational Surrogate can be based on a number of different factors but provides the parent with the option of somebody else carrying the pregnancy for you.
IVF Success Rates
The success rates of in vitro fertilization are another benefit and reason to choose IVF. IVF is successful in one of two capacities: the rate of successful pregnancies and the rate of live births.

Rate of pregnancy: The rate of pregnancy for IVF is determined by embryos which are successfully implanted in the uterus and develop a heartbeat. The national rates of pregnancy in 2010 reported by the Society for Assisted Reproductive Technology (SART) were 47.7% for women under 35; 38.8% in women ages 35-37, and for women ages 38-40 29.9%. Pregnancy rates drastically decreases when passing the age of 40. The national pregnancy rate for women of ages 41-42 is 20.1% and drops down to 8.9% when older then 42.

Rate of live births: Live births resulting from IVF are determined by the number of successful pregnancies that are carried to term and result in the delivery of a live baby, so it does not account for miscarriage or stillbirth, and the live birth of multiples are still counted as one birth. Live birth rates reported by SART for IVF pregnancies in the United States in 2010 are 41.7% in women under 35; 31.9% in women ages 35-37; 22.1% in women ages 38-40; 12.5% in women ages 41-40 and 4.1% in woman above 42.

As seen by the numbers presented above, age is a vital factor in IVF. When using an Egg Donor and/or a Gestational Surrogate the rates will reflect an increase in pregnancy rates. Only your fertility specialist will be able to determine which treatment is best for you, but in vitro fertilization has brought successful pregnancies to many happy parents around the world, and is an important option to consider for those struggling with fertility issues.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
In vitro literally translates to "in glass," referring to the glass laboratory containers in which an in vitro fertilization (IVF) occurs. Although babies fertilized in vitro are commonly called "test tube babies" (mind you, this isn't the most politically correct terminology), in vitro fertilization actually take place in a petri dish.

# data[].attributes.body
Infertility can affect any women is she is young or old, single or in a relationship. There is many reasons a women could have infertility which can conclude no ovulating, blocked Fallopian tubes, eggs are poor, and the shape of the uterus that makes it hard for a fertilized egg. Also, there is  no known reason for a women's infertility which is called unexplained infertility and there is still options for those women.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
What Is Infertility? | Signs, Symptoms and Causes

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Infertility is when you have trouble getting pregnant or staying pregnant. Fertility problems can happen in women and men, and can have many causes.

# data[].attributes.body
another source

# data[].attributes.body
In-Vitro Fertilization is targeted for women who can not have children due to many possibilities. Some women can't have babies due to significant scar tissue, history of damaged Fallopian tubes, endometriosis, unsuccessful attempts with other treatments, low or abnormal sperm, and reduced risks of twins. About 62 million or 2% of women of the "reproductive age" have made a infertility related doctor's appointment and 10% received infertility treatment during their lives. However IVF related appointments are fewer than 5% and try fertility drug,surgery,or artificial  insemination.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
IVF - In Vitro Fertilization

IVF is a procedure involving the stimulation of multiple eggs using medications, called gonadotropins, that are similar to natural hormones (FSH) that cause eggs to grow. The growing follicles each contain 1 egg and are monitored using ultrasound exams. When the follicles reach the appropriate size, they are retrieved, or harvested, at the appropriate time. After the eggs are collected, they are combined with the sperm in a dish (conventional insemination), or the sperm is directly injected into the sperm (ICSI, or intracytoplasmic sperm injection). After fertilization in the lab, the resulting embryos are grown (cultured) for 5 to 6 days. The embryos may be transferred at this point or frozen for use at a later time. It has been demonstrated that the stimulation of multiple eggs during the IVF process can cause the uterine lining to become less favorable for transfer. By freezing all of the embryos and transferring them later using a process called a frozen embryo transfer, or FET, the pregnancy rates can be significantly higher.

Candidates for IVF
In vitro fertilization may be the preferred choice of fertility treatment for a variety of different situations. As the success of IVF continues to improve, IVF is becoming much more popular as a primary form of infertility treatment. Reasons for undergoing IVF include:

While some people may know they wish to proceed with IVF before having a fertility consultation, all patients will start with a consultation with one of our physicians. After reviewing the patient's medical history, a diagnostic plan is outlined for each individualized patient. After all diagnostic testing is completed, the physician provides guidanance regarding the appropriate options for fertility treatment. Patients are then given the option to select the type of treatment that best fits their needs and desires. Our facility does not select out patients, or decline patients, that may not be likely to conceive. There are no attempts to turn away couples in hopes of maintaining good statistics. Often, patients with the lowest chances of conceiving are the ones that can benefit the most from aggressive fertility treatment. With this said, however, realistic expectations need to be established. During the consultation and subsequent visits, the physician will discuss your individual treatment options and the potential for success.

Process
The IVF process can seem overwhelming on first glance. Part of the preparation for IVF is completing a series of classes that are designed to cover the details of the IVF process. Coordinators are available to assist patients with each step of the IVF procedure and to answer questions that may arise. California IVF has seen steady improvements in success rates with IVF treatment while maintaining a patient-centric approach to treatment. We also encourage questions at every step of the process so patients can remain fully informed on their journey to parenthood.

Prior to any type of treatment, one of our physicians will meet with you and review your history and desires. Any recommended fertility blood tests or imaging studies will be completed first. When your evaluation is complete, the IVF coordinator will provide you with information about the IVF process and schedule an IVF information session. During this IVF information session, patients learn the details of the IVF process, medications, and risks. Patients also learn how to self-administer the fertility medications needed as part of the IVF process. In addition to learning about the injections, the medication class with also review the purpose of the medications, possible side effects, and any other questions patients may have. Individualized treatment calendars are provided with all of the details needed to complete the IVF cycle. Another class is scheduled to review the embryology process. During the meeting with the embryologist, details regarding the IVF laboratory process from egg collection to embryo transfer are reviewed. Patients should save all documents provided during the various visits and reference this information as the progress through treatment.

There are various different treatment plans, or protocols with fertility medications that can be used to prepare the eggs during the IVF cycle. Each patient receives detailed instructions specific to their own plan, and these details are outlined on the medication calendar. Before medications are started, patients undergo a baseline ultrasound. This initial ultrasound is comparable to a "before" image of the ovaries prior to starting medications. The baseline ultrasound may reveal ovarian cysts or other abnormalities which could delay or cancel the IVF cycle. Ultrasounds during the IVF process are completed using a trans-vaginal ultrasound probe. A vaginal ultrasound probe is smaller and usually more comfortable than a speculum (used for gynecologic exams). An empty bladder is preferred for trans-vaginal ultrasounds.

Medication protocols usually involve two types of medications. There are medications designed to prevent ovulation and medications used to stimulate the ovaries. It is important for patients to follow their medication schedules for proper development of the follicles and eggs. Gonadotropins are medications that stimulate egg development. The most common brand names that are used include Gonal-F and Follistim. The results of the egg stimulation is monitored with additional ultrasound exams. The monitoring ultrasound will evaluate the size and number of follicles, or fluid sacs containing eggs, and evaluate the lining of the uterus. The monitoring phase of the IVF cycle usually requires 2-3 visits before the egg collection procedure. The monitoring ultrasound will also look at the endometrial lining. The endometrium will preferably be greater than 8 mm, and the target size for the follicles is 18-20 mm for the lead, or largest follicle, and > 14-15 for the other follicles.

Once the follicles are thought to be mature, patients are instructed to stop the medications they have taken up to this point and use a medication to time the egg collection process. Medications most commonly used to prepare the eggs for collection include, HCG, Ovidrel, or Lupron. Patients will be given written instructions on what to do for the retrieval. Medications that tune the egg collection are administered approximately 36 hours before the scheduled egg retrieval, or harvest. This injection is timed in conjunction with the retrieval so the oocytes will be "released" from the wall of the follicle but not "released" from the ovary into the abdomen. Detailed instructions are reviewed in the pre-operative process including when to stop eating and drinking. Generally patients will need to refrain from eating and drinking for 8 to 10 hours before the procedure.

On the day of the retrieval, a semen specimen is collected for fertilization of the eggs. The sperm sample will be prepared for the fertilization process which may or may not involve directly injecting the sperm into the eggs - ICSI. Due to the serious nature of identity, we will request photo identification and a signature before the specimen can be accepted. A collection room is available for privacy. Materials are available in the collection room to provide the appropriate visual stimulus that males often need.

When patients arrive at the clinic, they will be identified and complete the final consent process. An identification band will be used once identities have been verified. An anesthesia provider will place in an intravenous catheter (IV) and administer sedatives for the egg collection procedure. Sedatives and pain medication will be given as needed during the procedure. Women are sleeping and will rarely remember anything from the procedure. A breathing tube is not needed during the egg collection procedure. While the procedure can provoke a great deal of anxiety, most women are pleasantly surprised how "easy" the procedure can be.

The egg retrieval procedure takes approximately 10-15 minutes once patients are situated and prepared in the procedure room. The procedure involves a transvaginal ultrasound with a needle guide. The guide helps direct the needle into the follicles so the eggs can be collected while monitoring the process on the ultrasound machine. The needle is used to aspirate the fluid from the follicles in both ovaries. The fluid is collected in test tubes that are then passed to the embryology lab. The eggs, or oocytes, are identified in the follicular fluid by an embryologist under a microscope. Once all of the follicles have been aspirated, the patient is taken back to the recovery room. The embryologist will report the total number of eggs collected during the oocyte retrieval procedure.

The recovery usually takes 30 minutes and patients are able to walk out of the procedure room. You will be given discharge instructions by the nurse. Because the medications used for the retrieval often cause memory impairment and drowsiness you should plan to have the remainder of the day free of any activities. Most importantly, you will not be allowed to drive yourself home, and must have an adult present at the time of discharge. Patients may experience mild cramping and bloating symptoms after the egg collection. Most patients are able to resume normal activities the following day.

Patients planning to freeze eggs for fertility preservation will have the eggs frozen on the same day as the egg retrieval. Fertilization will be delayed until the eggs are used in the future. For patients proceeding with embryos, the eggs are fertilized with the partner's sperm or donor sperm. The day of fertilization is considered day 0 for the embryos. The day after the egg retrieval, patients are called with fertilization results. Not all of the eggs will fertilize and not all of the fertilized eggs will progress to form embryos. There is no good way to predict how many eggs will actually fertilize as fertilization can be influenced by egg quality and sperm quality. The embryos will then be cultured, or grown for 5 days. Traditionally, embryos were transferred in the same cycle in which the eggs were collected. Drastically improved freezing techniques have shown that egg stimulation has harmful effects on the lining of the uterus. Most patients are now advised to freeze all of the embryos after extended culture to day 5 or day 6 blastocyst stages. After menses occurs, patients can begin the frozen embryo transfer process. In general patients are able to see 15 to 20% improvements in pregnancy rates. Not all embryology laboratories have perfected the more advanced freezing techniques and may not have the same advantage from freezing the embryos. Patients should consult with their doctor regarding the recommended treatment plan.

Cancellation
There are times when cycles will need to be canceled. A few examples are presented here for information purposes. If your cycle is canceled, the doctor will discuss the reasons as well as the management plan. The most common cause for cancellation of a cycle is lack of adequate ovarian response. If you do not have a good number of follicles you may be better served by attempting pregnancy by timed intercourse or intrauterine insemination. For some patients this saves financial resources for future attempts at IVF where the follicular response may be improved. There are a good number of pregnancies that have resulted from "canceled" cycles. Other reasons a cycle may be canceled include ovarian hyperstimulation, and premature ovulation (very uncommon in patients taking Lupron).

Risks
Monitoring ultrasounds will give an estimate of the numbers of follicles that are growing in response to the stimulation medications. It is important to remember the number of follicles on ultrasound is not always the same as the number of eggs collected at the egg collection procedure. Follicles may be empty and not contain eggs or poor quality eggs can deteriorate following HCG administration. Sometimes there are very few oocytes retrieved when the number of follicles looks encouraging. There is always a possibility that no oocytes are collected, no eggs fertilize, or no embryos survive to the blastocyst stage for of transfer. Frozen embryos may not survive the thawing process in the future.

During the egg collection process the sedation medication could cause over-sedation and patients need to have a breathing tube placed. The risk of needing a breathing tube is estimated to be less than 1 in 10,000. The needle used to collect the eggs can cause bleeding in the abdomen or vagina. The need for a blood transfusion is likely less that 1 in 5,000. A severe infection in the abdomen or ovary could require hospitalization or drainage of the infection from the ovary. An infection from the egg retrieval is estimated to be less than 3 in 1,000. Severe pain requiring heavy pain medications is less than 2%. Overall the egg retrieval process has a very low risk of serious complications and most patients tolerate the procedure very well.

Other risks associated with IVF and fertility treatments include:

Ovarian Hyperstimulation Syndrome (OHSS) - this is a combination of symptoms that result from the elevated levels of hormones and other factors that result from excessive stimulation of the ovaries. There is a fine line that exists in many women between just the right amount of stimulation and OHSS. Click here to read more. Fortunately newer methods of assessing ovarian reserve and strategies for stimulating eggs prior to the egg collection procedure have made OHSS very rare.

Multiple gestations - the use of medications to stimulate increased numbers of follicles will also increased the rate of multiple pregnancies. IVF is associated with a 3% risk of identical twinning. When 2 embryos are transferred there is often a 50% rate of twins and a 3% rate of triplets. Single embryo transfers will reduce the complications associated with multiple gestations.

Ectopic pregnancies (tubal) - during the embryo transfer procedure, embryos are placed into the uterus under ultrasound guidance. The risk of ectopic pregnancy is estimated to be 1-2%.

Ovarian torsion - with ovarian stimulation from gonadotropins., the size of ovaries is increased. This increase in size can lead to a twisting of the ovaries which interrupts the blood supply. Surgery is often required to alleviate the problem. Torsion occurs in less than 1% of patients.

Ovarian cancer - there is much debate about ovulation induction agents increasing a woman's risk for ovarian cancer. Studies show that if there is any increased risk in cancers from ovarian stimulation, it is likely less than 1 in 10,000 risk of developing cancer. Pregnancy and breast feeding has been shown to decrease the risk of breast cancer as do birth control pills.

Perforation - Injury to intra-abdominal organs and vessels is always a concern during the retrieval process. Organs at risk include the bowel, bladder, and vessels. Because the needle is relatively small this complication is not as common as one would expect. Keep in mind needles are used to puncture vessels in order to draw blood. Punctures of intra-abdominal organs likely seal themselves in a similar fashion.

Infection - Bacteria from the vaginal canal can enter the abdomen and ovary through the needle used to collect the eggs. This is actually very rare and is estimated to occur less than 3 in 1000 cases. Severe infections and abscesses could require hospitalization for intravenous antibiotics though this is even less common than abdominal infections.

Bleeding - The needle used to collect the eggs can cause injury to blood vessels. Significant bleeding that would require a blood transfusion is extremely rare. In most cases the total amount of blood loss is less than the amount of blood drawn in a single tube of blood used for laboratory testing.

ICSI and Other Techniques
Male-factor infertility occurs in approximately 40% of couples who are unable to achieve a pregnancy. Typically more than half of patients undergoing IVF will require intra-cytoplasmic, sperm injection, or ICSI. ICSI is indicated when there are not enough normal sperm in terms of the number of moving sperm and the number of normally shaped sperm. ICSI is also used frequently when there are poor fertilization results in previous IVF cycles. ICSI is a micromanipulation technique originally developed in Belgium. By using a powerful microscope we are able to isolate a single sperm, aspirate it into an extremely thin glass pipette, and inject it into a single egg. The process is repeated until all eggs have been treated. This technique does not require large numbers of motile sperm and bypasses the need for the sperm to penetrate the egg by itself. With the help of ICSI, fertilization is achieved and embryos that continue to divide are ready for transfer into the uterus in several days. No increase in congenital anomalies (birth defects) have been observed with ICSI other than the small risk that male factor infertility may be passed on to male offspring. [More Information about ICSI]

Assisted Hatching is a technique involving the removal of a small portion of the zona pellucida (outer layer of the oocyte or early embryo). This process is done prior to transfer when it appears that the embryos may benefit from additional assistance. Age and poor egg quality are the most common determining factors for using assisted hatching. Assisted hatching is considered on an individual basis. More advanced embryo hatching techniques have been used with improved results for a larger portion of patients. Assisted hatching can be discussed with the physician and embryologist responsible for a patient's treatment cycle.

Cryopreservation
Embryos are stored in liquid nitrogen for future use. Traditionally a fresh embryo transfer resulted in the left-over embryos being stored. In more modern approaches, all of the developing embryos may be stored for use in the future. Cryopreservation offers a means to save the fertility potential of embryos and may allow the uterine lining to be developed under more favorable conditions. The frozen embryo transfer (FET) process does not involve taking injectable gonadotropins and the ovaries are not stimulated. This allows for a uterine lining to develop without excessive stimulation. Coordinating the frozen embryo transfer can be done with or without medications. Cryopreservation allows for attempts at achieving pregnancy without the high-cost of a repeat IVF cycle. Cryopreservation of embryos is also a method of fertility preservation. Some patients will use multiple IVF cycles to collect and store embryos before proceeding with embryo transfer procedures. Treatment plans will vary among patients and should be discussed with the physician. Information provided on this website should not be used as a substitute for medical advice.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
IVF - In vitro Fertilization, ICSI, and Cryopreservation

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
IVF is a procedure involving the stimulation of multiple eggs using medications, called gonadotropins, that are similar to natural hormones (FSH) that cause eggs to grow. The growing follicles each contain 1 egg and are monitored using ultrasound exams. When the follicles reach the appropriate size, they are retrieved, or harvested, at the appropriate time.

# data[].attributes.body
Manually combining an egg along with a persons sperm, then placing the embryo into the uterus. The process happens in a laboratory usually located in the hospital.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
In Vitro Fertilization IVF Procedures & Process

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
IVF procedures described including the ovarian stimulation, egg retrieval and embryo transfer. Links to pages with more details about every step in IVF.

# data[].attributes.headline
Successful pregnancy rates after IVF -MP

# data[].attributes.subject
Successful pregnancy rates after IVF -MP

# data[].attributes.body
These rates depend on three main factors, such as: reason why the woman is infertile,  the woman's age, and the environment.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
In Vitro Fertilization (IVF): What is it?

In Vitro Fertilization is an assisted reproductive technology (ART) commonly referred to as IVF. IVF is the process of fertilization by extracting eggs, retrieving a sperm sample, and then manually combining an egg and sperm in a laboratory dish. The embryo(s) is then transferred to the uterus. Other forms of ART include gamete intrafallopian transfer (GIFT) and zygote intrafallopian transfer (ZIFT).

Why is IVF used?
IVF can be used to treat infertility in the following patients:
What is involved with in vitro fertilization?
There are five basic steps in the IVF and embryo transfer process:
Step 1: Fertility medications are prescribed to stimulate egg production. Multiple eggs are desired because some eggs will not develop or fertilize after retrieval. A transvaginal ultrasound is used to examine the ovaries, and blood test samples are taken to check hormone levels.

Step 2: Eggs are retrieved through a minor surgical procedure that uses ultrasound imaging to guide a hollow needle through the pelvic cavity to remove the eggs. Medication is provided to reduce and remove potential discomfort.

Step 3: The male is asked to produce a sample of sperm, which is prepared for combining with the eggs.

Step 4: In a process called insemination, the sperm and eggs are mixed together and stored in a laboratory dish to encourage fertilization. In some cases where there is a lower probability of fertilization, intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) may be used. Through this procedure, a single sperm is injected directly into the egg in an attempt to achieve fertilization. The eggs are monitored to confirm that fertilization and cell division are taking place. Once this occurs, the fertilized eggs are considered embryos.

Step 5: The embryos are usually transferred into the woman's uterus three to five days following egg retrieval and fertilization. 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.

Side effects of in vitro fertilization

Although you may need to take it easy after the procedure, most women can resume normal activities the following day.
Some side effects after IVF may include:

Passing a small amount of fluid (may be clear or blood-tinged) after the procedure

Mild cramping

Mild bloating

Constipation

Breast tenderness

If you experience any of the following symptoms, call your doctor immediately: Some side effects of fertility medications may include:

Headaches

Mood swings

Abdominal pain

Hot flashes

Abdominal bloating

RARE: Ovarian hyper-stimulation syndrome (OHSS)

What are the risks associated with in vitro fertilization?

As with most medical procedures, there are potential risks. More severe symptoms, typically from OHSS, include the following:

Decreased urinary frequency

Shortness of breath

Faintness

Severe stomach pains and bloating

Ten-pound weight gain within three to five days

If you experience any of these symptoms above, contact your doctor right away.
Additional risks of IVF include the following:

Egg retrieval carries risks of bleeding, infection, and damage to the bowel or bladder.

The chance of a multiples pregnancy is increased with the use of fertility treatment. There are additional risks and concerns related to multiples during pregnancy including the increased risk of premature delivery and low birth weight.

Though the rates of miscarriage are similar to unassisted conception, the risk does increase with maternal age.

The Mayo Clinic reports that the risk of ectopic pregnancy with IVF are 2-5%. An ectopic pregnancy is when a fertilized egg implants anywhere outside the uterus and is not viable.

Assisted reproductive technology (ART) involves a significant physical, financial, and emotional commitment on the part of a couple. Psychological stress and emotional problems are common, especially if in vitro fertilization (IVF) is unsuccessful.

IVF is expensive, and many insurance plans do not provide coverage for fertility treatment. The cost for a single IVF cycle can range from at least $12,000-$17,000.

How successful is in vitro fertilization?

The success rate of IVF clinics 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.
In the United States, the live birth rate for each IVF cycle started is approximately:
What if I don't produce healthy eggs or my husband is sterile?

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.

How many embryos should be created or transferred?

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.

How do I choose an infertility clinic?

There are a number of questions to ask regarding the cost and details of specific centers and fertility programs. Some suggested questions are available online in Selecting Your ART Program.

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. Review resource guide here.

However, if you are looking for testing or options to increase your fertility chances of conception, you can find a fertility specialist with the search tool below:

For more information:
American Society of Reproductive Medicine
Compiled using information from the following sources:

1. American Society for Reproductive Medicine. (2014). Gamete and embryo donation: Deciding whether to tell.
https://www.asrm.org/FACTSHEET_Gamete_Donation_Deciding_Whether_To_Tell/
2. Human Fertilisation & Embryology Authority. (2014). IVF - What is in vitro fertilisation (IVF) and how does it work?
http://www.hfea.gov.uk/IVF.html
3. Human Fertilisation & Embryology Authority. (2014). Risks of fertility treatment.
http://www.hfea.gov.uk/fertility-treatment-risks.html
4. MedlinePlus. (2014). In vitro fertilization (IVF).
http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/007279.htm
5. Mayo Clinic. (2013, June 27). In vitro fertilization (IVF).
http://www.mayoclinic.org/tests-procedures/in-vitro-fertilization/basics/definition/prc-20018905
6. RESOLVE: The National Infertility Association. (n.d.) IVF/ART.
http://www.resolve.org/family-building-options/ivf-art/

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
In Vitro Fertilization (IVF): Side Effects and Risks

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
In Vitro Fertilization is an assisted reproductive technology (ART) commonly referred to as IVF. IVF is the process of fertilization by extracting eggs, retrieving a sperm sample, and then manually combining an egg and sperm in a laboratory dish. The embryo(s) is then transferred to the uterus.

# data[].attributes.body
The average cost for in-vitro fertilization in the United States ranges from $12,000 to $15,000.  Some things that are included in the price are fertility medications, initial tests, ultrasound and monitoring, and blood work. Most insurance plans don't cover IVF, so couples may have to look into plans with multiple cycles in case of failures.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
IHR.com - IVF Costs, In Vitro Fertilization Costs, Invitro Fertilization Costs

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Discusses the cost of IVF as well as ways to reduce IVF costs by refund programs, IVF insurance, IVF financing, mini-IVF, etc.

# data[].attributes.body
The treatment rates depend on the age of the woman and the quantity and quality of the eggs that were implanted. There was a 57% success rate in 2014 in women ages 35 and less.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Age and IVF - In Vitro Fertilization Statistics

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Chances for successful IVF drops as female age increases - beginning at about age 30. Age related in vitro fertilization statistics are detailed.

# data[].attributes.body
The preparation for IVF involves getting hormone treatment, so that the egg production controlled and calculated. The male's sperm will also have to be collected in the process. Either by masturbation or ejecting it from one of the male's testicle.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
Today, in vitro fertilization (IVF) is practically a household word. But not so long ago, it was a mysterious procedure for infertility that produced what were then known as "test-tube babies." Louise Brown, born in England in 1978, was the first such baby to be conceived outside her mother's womb.

Unlike the simpler process of artificial insemination -- in which sperm is placed in the uterus and conception happens otherwise normally -- IVF involves combining eggs and sperm outside the body in a laboratory. Once an embryo or embryos form, they are then placed in the uterus. IVF is a complex and expensive procedure; only about 5% of couples with infertility seek it out. However, since its introduction in the U.S. in 1981, IVF and other similar techniques have resulted in more than 200,000 babies.

What Causes of Infertility Can IVF Treat?

When it comes to infertility, IVF may be an option if you or your partner have been diagnosed with:

Endometriosis

Low sperm counts

Problems with the uterus or fallopian tubes

Problems with ovulation

Antibody problems that harm sperm or eggs

The inability of sperm to penetrate or survive in the cervical mucus

An unexplained fertility problem

IVF is never the first step in the treatment of infertility except in cases of complete tubal blockage. Instead, it's reserved for cases in which other methods such as fertility drugs, surgery, and artificial insemination haven't worked.

If you think that IVF might make sense for you, carefully assess any treatment center before undergoing the procedure. Here are some questions to ask the staff at the fertility clinic:

What is your pregnancy ratio per embryo transfer?

What is your pregnancy rate for couples in our age group and with our fertility problem?

What is the live birth rate for all couples who undergo this procedure each year at your facility?

How many of those deliveries are twins or other multiple births?

How much will the procedure cost, including the cost of the hormone treatments?

How much does it cost to store embryos and how long can we store them?

Do you participate in an egg donation program?

Continued

What Can I Expect From IVF?

The first step in IVF involves injecting hormones so you produce multiple eggs each month instead of only one.You will then be tested to determine whether you're ready for egg retrieval.

Prior to the retrieval procedure, you will be given injections of a medication that ripens the developing eggs and starts the process of ovulation. Timing is important; the eggs must be retrieved just before they emerge from the follicles in the ovaries. If the eggs are taken out too early or too late, they won't develop normally. Your doctor may do blood tests or an ultrasound to be sure the eggs are at the right stage of development before retrieving them. The IVF facility will provide you with special instructions to follow the night before and the day of the procedure. Most women are given pain medication and the choice of being mildly sedated or going under full anesthesia.

During the procedure, your doctor will locate follicles in the ovary with ultrasound and remove the eggs with a hollow needle. The procedure usually takes less than 30 minutes, but may take up to an hour.

Immediately following the retrieval, your eggs will be mixed in the laboratory with your partner's sperm, which he will have donated on the same day.

While you and your partner go home, the fertilized eggs are kept in the clinic under observation to ensure optimal growth. Depending on the clinic, you may even wait up to five days until the embryo reaches a more advanced blastocyst stage.

Once the embryos are ready, you will return to the IVF facility so doctors can transfer one or more into your uterus. This procedure is quicker and easier than the retrieval of the egg. The doctor will insert a flexible tube called a catheter through your vagina and cervix and into your uterus, where the embryos will be deposited. To increase the chances of pregnancy, most IVF experts recommend transferring up to three embryos at a time. However, this means you could have a multiple pregnancy, which can increase the health risks for both you and the babies.

Continued

Following the procedure, you would typically stay in bed for several hours and be discharged four to six hours later. Your doctor will probably perform a pregnancy test on you about two weeks after the embryo transfer.

In cases where the man's sperm count is extremely low, doctors may combine IVF with a procedure called intracytoplasmic sperm injection. In this procedure, a sperm is taken from semen -- or in some cases right from the testicles -- and inserted directly into the egg. Once a viable embryo is produced, it is transferred to the uterus using the usual IVF procedure.

What Are the Success Rates for IVF?

Success rates for IVF depend on a number of factors, including the reason for infertility, where you're having the procedure done, and your age. The CDC compiles national statistics for all assisted reproductive technology (ART) procedures performed in the U.S., including IVF, GIFT, and ZIFT, although IVF is by far the most common; it accounts for 99% of the procedures. The most recent report from 2009 found:

Pregnancy was achieved in an average of 29.4% of all cycles (higher or lower depending on the age of the woman).

The percentage of cycles that resulted in live births was 22.4% on average (higher or lower depending on the age of the woman).

Are There Other Issues With IVF to Consider?

Any embryos that you do not use in your first IVF attempt can be frozen for later use. This will save you money if you undergo IVF a second or third time. If you do not want your leftover embryos, you may donate them to another infertile couple, or you and your partner can ask the clinic to destroy the embryos. Both you and your partner must agree before the clinic will destroy or donate your embryos.

A woman's age is a major factor in the success of IVF for any couple. For instance, a woman who is under age 35 and undergoes IVF has a 39.6% chance of having a baby, while a woman over age 40 has an 11.5% chance. However, the CDC recently found that the success rate is increasing in every age group as the techniques are refined and doctors become more experienced.

Continued

What Are The Costs of IVF?

The average cost of an IVF cycle in the U.S. is $12,400, according to the American Society of Reproductive Medicine. This price will vary depending on where you live, the amount of medications you're required to take, the number of IVF cycles you undergo, and the amount your insurance company will pay toward the procedure. You should thoroughly investigate your insurance company's coverage of IVF and ask for a written statement of your benefits. Although some states have enacted laws requiring insurance companies to cover at least some of the costs of infertility treatment, many states haven't.

Also be aware that some carriers will pay for infertility drugs and monitoring, but not for the cost of IVF or other artificial reproductive technology. Resolve: The National Infertility Association publishes a booklet called the "Infertility Insurance Advisor," which provides tips on reviewing your insurance benefits contract.

Sources

SOURCES:
American Society for Reproductive Medicine web site.
American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists web site.
Human Reproduction Update , July-August 2002.
The Infertility Workup and Understanding Treatment Options , RESOLVE online.
The Merck Manual , Seventeenth Edition, 2000.
The Fertility Handbook: A Guide to Getting Pregnant , Addicus Books, 2002.
Assisted Reproductive Technology Success Rates , 2009, CDC.

Next Article
Artificial Insemination

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Today, in vitro fertilization (IVF) is practically a household word. But not so long ago, it was a mysterious procedure for infertility that produced what were then known as "test-tube babies." Louise Brown, born in England in 1978, was the first such baby to be conceived outside her mother's womb.

# data[].attributes.body
While in Vietnam Embrologist Samuel Leopold Schenk was the first person to attempt  IVF in 1878  by using a rabbit and a guinea pig ova. In  1951  Colin Russell Austin  and Min Chueh Chang discovered that a spermatozoa must go through certain stages before fertilization and in 1959 the first successful impreganted rabbit. The first infertile couple to succesfully give birth was in 1978 by the name of Lesley and John Brown who gave birth to Louise Brown also known as the first "test tube baby".

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
In Vitro Fertilization

In vitro fertilization (IVF) is an assisted reproductive technology (ART) initially introduced by Patrick Steptoe and Robert Edwards in the 1970s to treat female infertility caused by damaged or blocked fallopian tubes. This major breakthrough in embryo research has provided large numbers of women the possibility of becoming pregnant, and subsequent advances have dramatically increased their chances. IVF is a laboratory procedure in which sperm and egg are fertilized outside the body; the term "in vitro" is Latin for "in glass."

Although the procedure was not successfully established until the last quarter of the twentieth century, the history behind the development of IVF dates back much further. The first attempt at IVF on mammalian eggs was performed by Viennese embryologist Samuel Leopold Schenk in 1878. Working with rabbit and guinea pig ova, Schenk noted that cell division occurred in cultures after sperm were added to ova. In 1934 Gregory Pincus and Ernst Vinzenz Enzmann also attempted fertilization with rabbits. They claimed to have produced the first successful pregnancy using IVF, but later analysis of their study suggests that their fertilization technically occurred , or "in the body," rather than , "in glass." They implanted the eggs into the rabbit's uterus after only twelve hours, before the eggs had fully matured, and fertilization actually occurred inside the body.

The next milestone was in 1951, when two scientists working independently, Colin Russell Austin in Australia and Min Chueh Chang in the United Sates, demonstrated that spermatozoa need to mature through certain stages before they develop the capacity to fertilize. By 1959 Chang was able to successfully use IVF to impregnate a rabbit. Significant progress in developing a successful IVF technique with human embryos, however, would have to wait until the 1970s.

Patrick Steptoe, a practicing gynecologist at Oldam General Hospital who pioneered the use of laparoscopy in gynecology, teamed up with Edwards, a professor of human reproduction at Cambridge University, to try to achieve a successful pregnancy in humans using IVF. Their collaboration started in 1968 when Edwards attended a lecture Steptoe gave on laparoscopy at the Royal Society of Medicine in London. They initially achieved successful fertilization and cell division of eggs (in a petri dish) with freshly extracted semen, but were unable to successfully implant the fertilized egg into the female uterus until 1978. They manipulated hormone levels in the female until the eggs were fully mature and then extracted several eggs from the ovaries through laparoscopy, an invasive technique requiring entry through the navel. The doctors fertilized the eggs , and waited until the fertilized eggs divided into eight cells before implanting them into the female uterus (up until the mid-1970s, they had waited until the fertilized egg divided into 100 cells before implantation).

In 1976 Edwards and Steptoe began working with an infertile couple, Lesley and John Brown. In the successful attempt, Edward and Steptoe transferred a fertilized egg at midnight, the time at which the egg was mature-accidental timing that they later discovered was critical when they realized that diurnal cycles of hormonal levels are crucial to the success of the egg implanting in the wall of the uterus. On 25 July 1978, Leslie gave birth to Louise Brown, the first "test tube baby."

Since the birth of Louise Brown, over three million babies have been born as a result of IVF and other assisted reproductive technologies, and the technique has improved as well. Laparoscopy is no longer used to extract eggs from the ovaries. Instead, physicians use transvaginal oocyte retrieval; that is, with a sonogram to visualize what they are doing, they guide a needle through the vaginal wall, and enter the ovaries to extract the eggs. By using this method, the risks associated with the anesthesia required for laparoscopy as well as the costs of the procedure are considerably reduced.

Physicians now begin giving women hormone therapy two weeks prior to retrieving the eggs to increase the chance of recovering several healthy, mature eggs. Hormone therapies are usually administered through oral medications such as clomiphene citrate, also known as Clomid. Ultrasounds and blood tests are used to determine the optimal time for egg retrieval (when the eggs are almost ready for fertilization). Once physicians obtain the eggs, they then place them in a petri dish with sperm for fertilization. Usually about seven to nine eggs are fertilized. If a male fertility problem exists such as sperm immotility or a low sperm count, intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) is commonly used to combat the problem. With ICSI, the physician manually injects a sperm into an egg with a needle to fertilize it.

The number of fertilized eggs physicians place in the uterus in hopes that at least one will implant varies with the physician conducting the procedure. Physicians consider different factors with each couple, such as the number of trials the couple can afford to attempt. The remaining embryos are preserved through cryopreservation, frozen for future use in case the first few embryos fail to implant in the uterus wall on the initial attempt. Once the fertilized eggs each divide into eight cells, they are placed in a catheter and inserted through the cervix into the uterus (this usually occurs from two to three days after retrieving the eggs and follows the same timeline as if the eggs were fertilized naturally).

When Edwards and Steptoe successfully helped the Browns give birth to Louise, the first "test tube baby," many ethical debates arose. Many of these issues still surround embryo research today, and they include who essentially "owns" the embryos as well as whether scientists should be allowed to perform experiments for stem cell research with the extra cryopreserved embryos that are not implanted. Many religious groups, the Roman Catholic Church being the most prominent, are strongly against IVF because it is not considered natural conception.

IVF has greatly advanced embryo research as well as helped many infertile couples conceive when adoption was once their only option for children. Though there are other similar assisted reproductive technologies (ART) such as gamete intrafallopian transfer (GIFT) and zygote intrafallopian transfer (ZIFT), IVF is currently the most popular. The development of intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) has improved success rates.

Sources

1. Fishel, S., and E. Malcolm Symonds, eds. In Vitro Fertilisation: Past-Present-Future. Oxford: IRL Press, 1986.

2. "In Vitro Fertilization (IVF-ET)." Georgia Reproductive Specialists. http://www.ivf.com/ivffaq.html (Accessed August 4, 2008).

3. Marrs, Richard P., ed. Assisted Reproductive Technologies. Boston: Blackwell Scientific Publications, 1993.

4. Maienschein, Jane. Whose View of Life? Cambridge, MA: Harvard University Press, 2003.

5. Trounson, Alan, and Carl Wood. In Vitro Fertilization and Embryo Transfer. Edinburgh, UK: Churchill Livingstone, 1984.

Zhu, Tian, "In Vitro Fertilization". Embryo Project Encyclopedia (2009-07-22). ISSN: 1940-5030 http://embryo.asu.edu/handle/10776/1665.

Arizona State University. School of Life Sciences. Center for Biology and Society. Embryo Project Encyclopedia.

© Arizona Board of Regents Licensed as Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-Share Alike 3.0 Unported (CC BY-NC-SA 3.0) http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/3.0/

Fertilization in Vitro; Fertilization in vitro; Technology

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
In Vitro Fertilization In vitro fertilization (IVF) is an assisted reproductive technology (ART) initially introduced by Patrick Steptoe and Robert Edwards in the 1970s to treat female infertility caused by damaged or blocked fallopian tubes. This major breakthrough in embryo research has provided large numbers of women the possibility of becoming pregnant, and subsequent advances have dramatically increased their chances.

# data[].attributes.headline
Definition of IVF (In Vitro Fertilization) -MP

# data[].attributes.subject
Definition of IVF (In Vitro Fertilization) -MP

# data[].attributes.body
The process of creating an embryonic egg by fertilizing an egg with sperm and implanting it into the females uterus.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
fertilization of an egg in a laboratory dish or test tube; specifically : fertilization by mixing sperm with eggs surgically removed from an ovary followed by uterine implantation of one or more of the resulting fertilized eggs -abbreviation IVF... See the full definition