In Vitro Fertilization (IVF): Traditional IVF
In vitro fertilization (IVF) involves a sequence of events, including the administration and monitoring of medications 
which stimulate the ovaries to produce multiple eggs; the egg retrieval, fertilization and laboratory culture of these fertilized eggs (embryos); and the growth and transfer of embryos into the uterus. IVF creates an environment which allows for maximal interaction between as many eggs and sperm as possible, and fosters the creation of multiple embryos, which can then be introduced in small numbers directly into the uterus under highly optimized conditions. Extra embryos can be cryopreserved for future use.
After you make an appointment and decide to get started with IVF , you will:
- Undergo a Physician consultation
- Confirm financial arrangements
- Attend an "IVF nursing class", where you'll learn details of each phase of the process
- Schedule some screening blood work for you and your husband (required by the FDA)
- Fill out consent forms
More about the Traditional IVF Process:
- Getting Started with IVF
- Embryo Development Cycle; "Inside the IVF Lab"
- Ovarian Hyperstimulation Syndrome
- Blastocyst Transfer
- Nitrogen and Embryo Quality