Getting Ready for Your IVF procedure:
- Bring your record to your first appointment and complete a medical history form
- Meet with your physician and your future fertility team for an initial consultation
- Complete hormone testing and imaging of your uterus, tubes and ovaries with a pelvic ultrasound and hysterosalpingogram (HSG)
- Have a semen analysis completed for the male partner
- Choose a sperm donor, egg donor, or gestational carrier if applicable, and meet with a reproductive psychologist for counseling to discuss third-party reproduction
- Perform genetic testing, such as carrier screening, for common genetic conditions or testing for your specific situation if you or your partner are at risk for or affected by a genetic condition, and meet with a genetic counselor if indicated
- Perform screening blood tests for infectious disease
- Meet with your physician to discuss and further review your individual IVF plan
- Meet with our financial counselor to review options for covering cost of IVF
Your IVF Evaluation
Prior to beginning ART, you will be evaluated to maximize your chances for a healthy pregnancy. Being in the best health possible is important to achieving successful results. We make certain to test for chronic medical conditions such as diabetes, hypertension and asthma, and develop a comprehensive plan to control these conditions prior to conception.
Carrying extra weight can be an added stress on the IVF process and increase your chances of miscarriage and preterm birth. At Inovi, our counselors offer options to help you manage your weight and determine your BMI prior to the procedure so that you are in the best shape possible prior to taking that step.
Blood Testing
General- Your blood type will be determined and you will receive screening for various conditions and immunities that could affect your pregnancy and IVF procedure. Genetic tests may be done or requested depending on your family and medical history.
Ovarian Reserve Testing- These tests measure women’s egg quantity, quality and ability to reproduce.
Other Tests Included in Ovarian Reserve-
- Menstrual Cycle measurement of FSH, LH and Estradiol levels
- Chlomophene Challenge Test to determine elevated FSH which can lead to reduced pregnancy rate
- Anti-Mullerian Hormone Test (AMH)
These tests are usually performed during a woman’s menstrual cycle on certain specific days.
Semen Testing
This will be performed to determine sperm quality and may be repeated throughout the process to provide best information for IVF success.
Uterus Testing
Your uterine function and anatomy is important to your pregnancy. We will evaluate your uterus prior to IVF with a hysterosalpingogram, a saline infusion sonohysterography or hysteroscopy.
What is the IVF Process?
Prior to fertilization you will be prescribed oral contraceptive pills or estrace (estrogen) for 2-3 weeks prior to starting your cycle. Once your cycle starts, you will be given gonadotropins (injectable fertility medication) such as Follicle-Stimulating Hormone (FSH), Luteinizing Hormone (LH) or a combination of both for 8-12 days.
These hormones stimulate your body’s ability to produce multiple eggs and provide you with the best chance for ideal pregnancy conditions. During this time, your doctor measures your hormone levels and performs multiple ultrasounds so both you and your partner can see and follow the progress of your egg development.
Once your eggs have matured, as determined by the ultrasound findings and hormone levels, they will be removed in our office through a process called IVF Retrieval. Your doctor performs the procedure with ultrasound-guided equipment in the comfort of our clinic.
What Happens After IVF Retrieval?
After the IVF retrieval, your eggs are combined with the sperm and fertilized in the lab.
After the eggs are fertilized they develop in the laboratory for 5 days and are typically transferred back to your uterus in another cycle. This method is called “Freeze-all” and allows for the best pregnancy rates with IVF since your hormone levels will have returned to normal levels following the IVF retrieval. Once the embryos are transferred back to your uterus (embryo transfer), you will be given fertility hormones for 6-7 weeks to support and nurture your new pregnancy. Ultrasounds will also be taken to confirm the progress of your new pregnancy, provide date of expected delivery and ensure your baby has a healthy development.
