In Vitro Fertilization (IVF) which means ‘fertilization in a glass’ is often more commonly referred to as a test tube baby. Eggs are removed from the ovaries and fertilized with sperm in a laboratory dish before being placed in the woman’s womb. Women who use In Vitro Fertilization are often recommended this method when others have failed or because they are older.

The In Vitro Fertilization process should go something like the method set out below but may differ slightly between clinics. The first thing your doctor will do is to stop the hormones released by the pituitary gland during your period by the use of other drugs. The reason for this is so the physician has improved control over when your eggs are produced. Further drugs are given to ensure your ovaries create more than a single egg.

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It’s important that levels of estrogen produced by the eggs are monitored so a combination of blood tests and vaginal ultrasound scans are used. Another hormone injection will be given when the tests show the time is right to help the eggs mature. The timing for this injection is crucial and must be carried out no earlier that 34 or later than 38 hours before your eggs are collected. Collecting the eggs takes about 30 minutes and is carried out using ultrasound guidance so often either drugs or a general anesthetic is given to make you feel more relaxed.

Next the man must produce some fresh sperm at about the same time as the eggs are collected. After a short storage period the sperm are washed and spun at high speed to enable the most active and healthiest to be chosen. If you are using donated sperm, the sample is taken from the freezer and prepared in the same way. The process can take between 16 and 20 hours during which time the sperm and eggs are allowed to mix in a laboratory dish before they are inspected to find out if the fertilization was successful. During the next stage, only successfully fertilized embryos are kept and left for a further 24 to 48 hours before a final check is done.

To ensure the womb is ready for the fertilized egg, two days after they have been collected, the womb lining is prepared by giving you pessaries, gel or an injection.

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