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High Tech Babies: In Vitro Fertilization
Know the Basics of IVF
By Kendeyl Johansen
When couples start the IVF process they give a detailed medical history and then undergo various tests. If the man's semen reveals abnormalities the couple may decide to use donor sperm.
The next step is to medically stimulate the women's ovaries to produce eggs. As soon as the eggs are mature, the initial medication is stopped and another medication is administered to prepare the eggs for ovulation and fertilization. Once the eggs are ready for retrieval, the woman is sedated through a small tube in her arm. She isn't completely asleep but she's comfortable as the eggs are retrieved with the help of ultrasound guidance. Harvested eggs are sent to the IVF lab.
"The procedure takes about 30 minutes and discomfort is generally minimal," Dr. Herbert says. He adds that complications are rare due to the use of the ultrasound, and recovery after the procedure is rapid.
This may be an emotional time for the couple and it's also the time for big decisions. The couple and doctor decide how many embryos to transfer since a multiple pregnancy may result from multiple embryos.
After this decision is made, the physician introduces a small flexible tube into the woman's uterus and the embryos are released. "No anesthesia is needed for this process and it feels similar to a pap smear," Dr. Herbert says. "Although we encourage our patients to rest at home after the embryo transfer, there is no proven advantage to remaining horizontal for that time. Embryos do not fall out of the uterus, and lying flat does not enhance implantation."
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Re: High Tech Babies: In Vitro Fertilization by InHIsHands on 02/13/2009 03:25PM
I found this article very helpful. We just found out the only way I can conceive in through the IVF procedure. Thank you for having information about how someone truly felt about the process.