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. Many older women use In Vitro Fertilization as it is a recommended procedure for them, also if there is a blockage in the tubes, unexplained infertility or if other methods have failed.

Although techniques for In Vitro Fertilization vary, a normal method of IVF would go something like this. Initially your physician will give you hormone blocking drugs normally produced during your menstrual period. This allows them better 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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Estrogen levels produced by the eggs are monitored to ensure they rise, using vaginal ultrasound scans and blood tests. All these tests are designed to show when the time is right for an injection of another hormone to help the eggs mature. The eggs are collected between 34 and 38 hours after the injection is given so the timing for it is crucial. When it is time to collect the eggs, you may be given a general anesthetic or drugs to make you feel drowsy as they are collected by ultrasound guidance and it takes about 30 minutes.

Around the time the woman’s eggs are collected, the male produces a fresh sample of sperm. This will be stored for a short time before the sperm are washed and spun at a high speed, so that the healthiest and most active can be selected. Sperm which has been donated is kept in a freezer but the same method for preparation is used. Once that has been completed the sperm is mixed with the eggs in a dish and left for between 16 to 20 hours and then checked to see if they have been 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.

The womb needs to be ready to accept the fertilized egg so a gel, injection or pessaries are given to ensure the lining of the womb is prepared.

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