In vitro fertilization (IVF) is a procedure in which eggs are removed from mature follicles in the ovary and then fertilized in a special environment in our laboratory. The fertilized eggs create embryos, which then grow and divide for three to five days in the laboratory. One or two of the resulting embryos are transferred into the uterus, and the remaining embryos that are of good quality are usually cryopreserved for future use.

In order to prepare a patient for IVF, and increase the chances of successful fertilization, they are given medications to stimulate their ovaries to produce a large number of eggs, rather than the usual one that would be made in a natural cycle.

Successful fertilization increases the number of embryos available for transfer in a fresh or thaw cycle. AART believes in single embryo transfer (SET) to decrease risks in pregnancy, and encourages the transfer of one embryo at a time, taking into account what is considered best for the patient outcome.

Embryo freezing and storage is available at cost to patients who have more than one good quality embryo. These embryos may then be used for subsequent frozen embryo transfer(s).

Intracytoplasmic Sperm Injection (ICSI) is a procedure by which a single sperm is injected directly into the center of an egg to increase the chance of fertilization. The procedure is particularly helpful to couples undergoing in vitro fertilization (IVF) that have a reduced chance of fertilization through standard egg insemination procedures. The need for ICSI is determined by the results of the Sperm Functional Assessment test.

Patients can access more information about these treatments on our patient portal.