In Vitro fertilization is the proper medical name for what the press dubbed ‘test tube babies’ many years ago. Eggs are fertilized in a laboratory dish with sperm and then place inside 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.

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. Blocking the hormones helps the doctor have greater control over your egg production. You then take different drugs to make your ovaries produce more than one egg.

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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 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. Eggs are usually collected by ultrasound guidance which takes around 30 minutes and you are either given a drug to make you drowsy or a general anesthetic.

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. If you are using donated sperm, the sample is taken from the freezer and prepared in the same way. Your eggs are then mixed with your partner’s sperm and left in a laboratory dish for 16-20 hours before they are checked to see if any 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.

Two days after your eggs have been collected; you are given an injection, gel or pessaries to help prepare the lining of your womb.

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