Infertility Treatments: Advanced
Honolulu, Hawaii IVF Treatments
ART is a term used to describe advanced infertility therapies, most commonly IVF (In Vitro Fertilization) and ICSI (Intra-Cytoplasmic Sperm Injection), but it also includes older techniques such as GIFT (Gamete Intrafallopian Transfer) ZIFT (Zygote Intrafallopian Transfer) These procedures all involve the removal of a woman’s eggs from her ovaries, processing these eggs with sperm, and returning the eggs and sperm to the woman, sometimes already fertilized, in order to achieve pregnancy.
The differences in these procedures involve where the eggs become fertilized, and how far along the fertilization process has progressed before they are returned to the woman’s uterus.
Classically in IVF, the eggs and sperm are taken to the laboratory and allowed to incubate together for several days. The fertilized eggs, or embryos, are returned to the woman’s uterus through the cervix. ZIFT/GIFT requires the immediate return of the eggs and sperm (gametes) to the woman’s fallopian tubes, and it is here that fertilization takes place. The embryos proceed down the fallopian tubes into the uterus in the usual manner. This procedure is on the decline because of lower success rates compared to IVF and because of the additional costs due to the need for a laparoscopic surgery required at the time the sperm and eggs or embryos are transferred. The classic IVF process from the start of medication until egg retrieval takes approximately 4-6 weeks.
IN VITRO FERTILIZATION EXPLAINED
In Vitro Fertilization is an alternative treatment for some infertility problems. These conditions may be due to pelvic endometriosis, absence or blocked fallopian tubes, male factors such as low sperm counts, women who are 35 years or older who fail to conceive naturally, or unexplained reasons that have not been responsive to other forms of treatment.
In Vitro Fertilization is an alternative treatment for some infertility problems. These conditions may be due to pelvic endometriosis, absence or blocked fallopian tubes, male factors such as low sperm counts, women who are 35 years or older who fail to conceive naturally, or unexplained reasons that have not been responsive to other forms of treatment.
The IVF process can be broken down into several steps:
- The administration of hormonal medications, which stimulate egg production in the woman’s ovaries. Egg development is monitored by hormone blood studies and ultrasounds.
- The developed eggs are removed from the ovaries in a minor procedure called a transvaginal ultrasound-guided egg retrieval.
- The husband/partner’s sperm is collected on the day of the retrieval. The sperm is specially prepared to increase the probability of fertilization.
- The eggs and sperm are placed together and are carefully monitored in incubators to allow for fertilization.
- The resulting embryos are then monitored for 3-5 days and cryopreserved. Ongoing evidence suggests that freezing of the embryos at this time and replacement in a frozen embryo transfer cycle increases pregnancy rates significantly.
- Estrogens in a following cycle are given to the patient to develop the endometrial lining and progesterone is administered to support the developing fetus. The selected embryos are then thawed and transferred into the woman’s uterus at an appropriate time. Blood hormone tests will be done 8-10 days later to determine if pregnancy has been achieved.
Contact us today about In Vitro Fertilization or any of our assisted reproductive services here in Honolulu, Hawaii.
Call (808) 949-6611 to Schedule Your Fertility Consultation or