In Vitro Fertilization literally means ‘fertilization in glass’, hence the familiar name of ‘test tube baby’. The process involves sperm from a woman’s partner or a donor being placed in a dish with eggs that have been removed from her ovaries and fertilizing them before being placed in her womb. Women who use In Vitro Fertilization are often recommended this method when others have failed or because they are older.

Although techniques for In Vitro Fertilization vary, a normal method of IVF would go something like this. 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. Once this has been done further drugs are given to multiply the number of eggs your ovaries produce.

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Vaginal ultrasound scans are carried out to monitor your developing eggs along with blood tests to chart the rising levels of estrogen produced by the eggs. Once the time is right, another hormone will be injected to help the eggs mature. This injection is given 34 to 38 hours before the eggs will be collected to the timing of this is very important. To collect the eggs, ultrasound guidance is used and as it takes about half an hour, either drugs or a general anesthetic is given which may make you feel drowsy.

Next the man must produce some fresh sperm at about the same time as the eggs are collected. The health of the sperm is important so after a short storage period they are spun at high speed after being washed so only the healthiest and most active are used. With donated sperm, the process is the same but the sample is taken from the freezer. The process then continues with the eggs and sperm left for 16 to 20 hours in a laboratory dish to mix and after that period, checked to see if they have fertilized. 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.

Once your eggs have been collected there is a waiting period of two days, then you are given pessaries, an injection or gel to ready the lining of your womb.

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