Test tube babies, as they are commonly known, are created using IVF or In Vitro Fertilization which literally means fertilization in glass. 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. 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.

Techniques of In Vitro Fertilization differ from clinic to clinic but a typical pattern of treatment might go like this: At first your physician will halt the release of hormones that are produced during your monthly cycle by giving you some drugs. This allows them better control over when your eggs are produced. Further drugs are given to ensure your ovaries create more than a single egg.

IVF Egg Retrieval...

Estrogen levels produced by the eggs are monitored to ensure they rise, using vaginal ultrasound scans and blood tests. As soon as the tests show that the time is right, you will have another injection of a different hormone to help your eggs mature. The eggs are collected between 34 and 38 hours after the injection is given so the timing for it is crucial. 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. To make sure that the best sperm are used for the process, the sample is washed and then spun at high speed, this will give the healthiest and the most active sperm. Sperm which has been donated is kept in a freezer but the same method for preparation is used. After the eggs and sperm have been collected they are left to mix in a laboratory dish for between 16 and 20 hours and then inspected to see whether fertilization has taken place. 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.

IVF Egg Retrieval

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