Assisted Reproductive Technologies (ART) including In Vitro Fertilization (IVF)
The IVF process can be broken down into 5 general steps:
Intra-Cytoplasmic Sperm Injection (ICSI)
Pre-Implantation Genetic Diagnosis (PGD)
Ovulation Induction / IUI
Intra-Uterine Insemination (IUI) is generally coupled with ovulation inducing fertility drugs. The effectiveness of the medication(s) is monitored by transvaginal ultrasound, allowing the physician to check the endometrial lining and follicular development. When the physician feels that the thickness of the endometrial lining and follicles have developed correctly, the patient will be given an injection of hCG, or human chorionic gonadotropin, to stimulate ovulation 36 hours later. A semen sample will then be placed into the uterus at the expected ovulation time.