In vitro fertilization (IVF) is the most common type of assisted reproductive technology (ART), used to create an embryo by bypassing certain causes of infertility, such as mild sperm abnormalities in men, and fallopian tube or ovulation irregularity in women.
The in vitro fertilization process can last anywhere from four to six weeks prior to egg retrieval. The embryo(s) will then be implanted between two to five days afterward. Not all patients are successful on their first IVF attempt; in fact, it’s not uncommon for patients to go through multiple IVF cycles before finally becoming pregnant.
Once a pregnancy is confirmed, you’ll see your fertility doctor for continued blood testing, and eventually an ultrasound to confirm that the pregnancy is progressing smoothly. Once the fetus’ heartbeat has been verified, you’ll be referred to an obstetrician for the rest of your pregnancy.
Most experts define infertility as not being able to get pregnant after at least one year of trying. Women who are able to get pregnant but then have repeat miscarriages are also said to be infertile.
The number and quality of a man’s sperm can be affected by his overall health and lifestyle. Some things that may reduce sperm number and/or quality include:
A percentage of the sperm will not survive during the freezing process. The survival rate for sperm is very different for each individual.
A few weeks before you think you’ll need the samples, please contact our andrology lab so we can bring your samples out of long-term storage. If you plan to use the samples for artificial insemination (IUI), we will need to have a requisition order. Once you know the date that you’ll need your sample to be prepared, please call us and set an appointment to pick up your sample.
We require patients to get additional tests like blood tests or a current pap and pelvic exam before we will perform the insemination. Be sure to talk with us in advance to avoid any delays.
Many cryopreserved samples may not be preserved well enough for IUI (also called artificial insemination). However, We regularly perform IVF using semen samples that are very poor quality or have low concentration. We will freeze any sperm, even it is poor-quality or has a low concentration.
You can contact us if you are concerned about the quality of your sperm when it’s being processed.
Assisted reproductive technology (ART) is a term that describes several different methods used to help infertile couples. ART involves removing eggs from a woman’s body, mixing them with sperm in the laboratory, and putting the embryos back into a woman’s body.
Success rates vary and depend on many factors. Some things that affect the success rate of ART include:
Even if you freeze many samples of your sperm, it’s impossible to guarantee that your partner will get pregnant. We advise you to carefully consult with both an andrologist (a doctor who studies male reproductive organs) and an infertility specialist before using any of your samples for IUI or IVF.
