In Vitro Fertilization

Home
Our Specialties
In Vitro Fertilization

In vitro fertilization (IVF) involves harvesting eggs, inseminating them with sperm, and transferring the resulting embryo(s) into the woman’s uterus to achieve pregnancy. Women undergoing IVF receive daily injections of follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), which causes the ovaries to develop additional follicles. Patients may also receive medications to prevent ovulation too soon, before the eggs can be retrieved.

Patients are carefully monitored, and medications are adjusted as needed to help prevent serious side effects. When the follicles have grown to the appropriate size, patients receive a medication injection to trigger final maturation of the eggs. At this point, the patient is scheduled for transvaginal, ultrasound-guided egg retrieval under conscious sedation anesthesia. This is an outpatient procedure that uses a small needle and causes minor discomfort.

The retrieved eggs and the sperm are then prepared for insemination, and the sperm is introduced into culture dishes containing the eggs. In some cases, a single sperm is injected into each egg. The fertilized eggs are put into incubators for 5-7 days until the embryology team determines that they are mature. Once the embryos mature, they can be transferred to the patient’s uterus or preserved for future use. Procedures such as assisted hatching or pre-implantation genetic testing (PGT) may be performed prior to embryo transfer. Embryos are transferred directly into the uterus using a small tube called a catheter.

Why choose UAB Medicine

UAB Medicine’s nationally recognized physicians have years of experience in diagnosing and treating both male and female infertility. Our team approach includes a urologist, a reproductive endocrinologist, specialized nurses, and laboratory scientists.

A variety of conventional treatments are available, including corrective microsurgery. For those who do not have a condition that can be treated, procedures like IVF or intrauterine insemination may be used to help a woman get pregnant. Our fertility experts will determine a treatment plan that is best suited for each individual. As a major center for research, UAB Medicine continues to study new fertility treatments that may increase the chances of conceiving a healthy baby.