In Vitro Fertilization (IVF)
After months and possibly years of living with infertility, couples who no longer want to delay their dreams of parenthood may elect to try IVF. IVF often follows other, more conservative treatments. It is the process by which eggs are removed from ovaries and mixed with sperm in a laboratory. Once an embryo or embryos form, they are placed in the uterus. Thousands of IVF babies have been born since 1978, which is when the first procedure took place.
Ovulation Induction
In a normal menstrual cycle, an egg grows, develops, and matures to the point of its release, which is called ovulation. This process depends on a delicate balance of hormones and other factors that, if not produced in the right way, can lead to infertility. In ovulation induction, patients are treated at MCFWH with hormone medications or fertility drugs to improve the chances of ovulation. These medications stimulate inactive or under-producing ovaries to produce a mature egg and release it, so it may be fertilized.
INVOcell
For many couples struggling with infertility, access to treatment is often not possible. Financial challenges, limited availability of specialized medical care, religious, social or cultural roadblocks can prevent these hopeful parents from realizing their dream to have a baby. INVOcell is the first Intravaginal Culture (IVC) system granted FDA clearance in the United States, providing millions of infertile couples across the country access to this revolutionary infertility treatment. This novel device and procedure provides a more natural, safe, effective and economical fertility treatment. The INVOcell device and INVO Procedure will provide couples the opportunity to have an additional option other than traditional treatments, like Intrauterine Insemination (IUI) and In Vitro Fertilization (IVF).
Intrauterine Insemination (IUI)
This procedure involves placing concentrated, washed sperm inside a woman’s uterus to increase the number of sperm that are able to reach the egg. This increases the chance of fertilization and pregnancy.Without medical help, only a few hundred sperm will make their way through the cervix and out the fallopian tubes to the egg during intercourse. With IUI, millions of motile sperm are flushed into the uterus and out the fallopian tubes to increase fertilization.Watch a video we've created to learn more.
Intracytoplasmic Sperm Injection (ICSI)
ICSI (pronounced “icksy”) is an innovative procedure in which a single sperm is injected directly into an egg. ICSI requires a woman to undergo an IVF cycle so that eggs can be obtained for insemination. Initially, ICSI was used to overcome male infertility problems, such as low sperm count, poor motility or movement, and in cases where sperm shape or appearance is abnormal. More recently it has been used to overcome male reproductive tract obstructions and is frequently used to maximize fertilization.
Frozen Embryo Transfer (FET)
FET is an assisted reproductive technology procedure in which a previously frozen embryo is thawed and transferred into a prepared uterus in order for conception to take place.Frozen embryo is a term for embryos that were not transferred during a previous IVF cycle and are deemed suitable for cryopreservation, or freezing.
Assisted Hatching (AHA)
The most common reason for an IVF cycle to fail to produce a successful pregnancy is because the embryos don’t implant in the uterus. There are many reasons why this might happen, but most likely, it’s because of something related to the embryo. In some cases the embryo has difficulty breaking through its outer protein coating, called the zona pellucida, from which it must hatch before it can implant into the uterus. Assisted Hatching (AHA) is a procedure to help an embryo release from the zona pellucida.
Preimplantation Genetic Testing for Monogenic Disorders
We specialize in pre-implantation genetic diagnosis (PGT-M), a screening test used to determine if there are any genetic conditions. Through analysis of a single cell obtained from an embryo, we can identify genetic conditions, before uterine transfer and before pregnancy takes place. PGT-M can greatly enhance the chances of a healthy baby.
Preimplantation Genetic Testing for Aneuploidies (PGT-A)
PGT-A also enhances the chances of a healthy child. Through this specialized screening test, we are able to identify chromosomal abnormalities before pregnancy occurs. Much like PGT-M, we can identify conditions through analysis of a single cell obtained from an embryo.
Gestational Carrier/Surrogacy
Sometimes it takes more than two loving people to create a family. When a medical condition affects a woman’s ability to carry a baby to term, one option is a gestational carrier.A gestational carrier is a woman who becomes pregnant through IVF using the eggs of the intended mother (or egg donor) and the sperm of the intended father (or sperm donor). The embryo is not genetically related to the gestational carrier. The gestational carrier carries to term an embryo conceived by the biological parents and transferred to the carrier’s uterus.
OncofertilityIf you have been diagnosed with cancer or certain other diseases, your fertility might be compromised. We can help reduce the stress of planning for your family. Our oncofertility program provides state-of-the-art options for reproductive-aged men and women who are about to begin treatments that may prevent them from having children. Options might include egg and sperm freezing, also known as oocyte cryopreservation and sperm cryopreservation.
Fertility Preservation
Egg Freezing: More women are delaying motherhood but they still face the constraint of their biological clocks. If the time is not right for you to start a family, technology offers an opportunity to take control of your reproductive health and postpone pregnancy until a later date. Freezing your eggs is an act of empowerment, allowing you to preserve your reproductive ability. Our care team will help you determine if egg freezing is the right option for you and tailor treatment to your particular situation.
Sperm Freezing: Fertility preservation in the form of sperm freezing is available for men. Whether it is a medical concern driving your decision, or the choice to put off parenthood, we are here to help.
Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS)
Polycystic Ovary Syndrome, also known as PCOS, is a common hormone disorder that affects 5-10% of women. Not all women experience the same symptoms, but some common complaints include:
— Irregular menses
— Weight issues
— Increased hair growth
— Acne
— Infertility
If obesity is also present, other symptoms might include:
— Type 2 diabetes
— High blood pressure
— Cholesterol and lipid abnormalities
— Metabolic syndrome
— Sleep apnea
— Depression and anxiety
— Abnormal uterine bleeding
— Cancer of the uterine lining (endometrial cancer)
— Gestational diabetes or pregnancy-induced high blood pressure
Testicular Sperm Extraction (TESE)
TESE is a surgical sperm retrieval procedure used in fertility treatment for men who have no sperm in their ejaculate, either because of a blockage, or some other complication.Sperms are retrieved from the testes and used to achieve fertilization of eggs in the laboratory. Because the number of sperm retrieved is often very low, it is necessary to combine TESE with ICSI.
