IVF: a simple explanation

So some of you have been asking me what the process is about exactly.  I realized that there may be some people who completely and totally understand everything to do with the process, so disregard this post, but others of you have no idea what this is even about and see all the drugs, and don't understand it.  So...I'm going to do my best to try to explain in very simple terms.

IVF is short for in-vitro fertilization, the doctor doing this is often called a Reproductive Endocrinologist, an RE. 

As complicated as IVF seems, it is actually a fairly simple process, it is very scientific but really pretty simple.

To begin with, you know that your ovary naturally produces eggs every month.  With IVF, you want to stimulate your ovary with injections to help your ovary produce as many eggs as possible.  This process takes about 4 weeks of daily injections, about 3 times a day.  The needles are small, its not too bad.  It goes by very fast.

Before you know it, you'll be ready for the Egg Retrieval.   
The egg retrieval is a short procedure, you receive a light general anesthesia and with an ultrasound-guided technique, your doctor retrieves your eggs.  I've heard that this is the worst part of IVF, but still not horrible and it really isn't too bad.
My egg retrieval will be in about 2 weeks.

After the egg retrieval, your husbands sperm is collected and mixed with the eggs, if all goes well, the eggs fertilize and early embryo development begins.


An embryologist monitors the embryos and their development (at this point a life has been created) and within 3 to 5 days after the retrieval, the embryos are then placed in the mothers uterus.  This is called the "Transfer".  The doctor typically only implants 2 of the best looking embryos into the mothers uterus. (In our case, they will transfer 2 embryos).  IF there are any left over embryo's, they can be frozen and kept for future transfers.

Next comes the pregnancy test, about two weeks after embryo transfer you have a blood test to find out whether IVF worked or not.  

If the test is positive, you have your first pregnancy scan two weeks later.

If the test is negative, you and your husband need to talk to your doctor and decide whether to try IVF again or not.  

So there ya go!  That's a pretty simple layout as to how IVF works.  Hope that helps!