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 2. Retrieval of the eggs: The eggs are retrieved by inserting
a special aspiration needle guided by ultrasound into the
vagina. The patient is given light anesthesia. Once retrieved
the eggs are placed in special receptacles in a laboratory
environment. Special methods are used to fertilize the eggs
with sperm taken that same day from the woman's husband.
3. Fertilization of the eggs and embryo development: The
eggs are fertilized in the laboratory with sperm using
the microinjection method. Then the embryo is allowed to
develop for a period of time, after which the highest
grade embryos are chosen for placement in the mother's
womb.
4. Transfer of the embryo to the mother's womb: The
chosen embryos are transferred to the mother's womb with
a special catheter, after which one must wait and see if
they attach to the womb and pregnancy develops.
5. Luteal follow-up: In order to assist pregnancy
development, the patient will be given medications
containing progesterone after the embryo transfer.
Ultrasound and hormone tests will be administered once a
week. Whether or not pregnancy has occurred will be
determined by testing for the bHCG hormone in the blood
on the 12th day after the embryo transfer.
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In Vitro fertilization can be divided into 5 basic steps: