In Vitro Fertilization
What Is In Vitro Fertilization?
In vitro fertilization (IVF) is the process of combining a woman’s eggs and a man’s sperm outside the body, in a laboratory. Any combination of the woman's eggs and the sperm, or donor eggs and sperm, can be used. An embryo forms in the laboratory and, after a few days, is placed in the woman’s uterus.
Is IVF right for you?
In vitro fertilization may be a treatment option if:
- Testing reveals that a woman's egg supply is diminished, and/or the remaining eggs are poor quality.
- The woman's fallopian tubes are missing, blocked, or cannot be repaired.
- The woman has severe endometriosis.
- The man has a low sperm count.
- Artificial or intrauterine insemination has not been successful.
- Unexplained infertility has continued for a long time. The average time a candidate waits before seeking IVF treatments varies and is influenced by the woman's age and other personal factors.
- The woman has had an unsuccessful tubal ligation reversal surgery.
What to Expect
The IVF cycle has three phases. Phases 1 and 3 are conducted at your current infertility clinic and Phase 2 is provided at The Center for Reproductive Health. Learn more about IVF phase details.
