IVF – In Vitro Fertilization

In vitro fertilization (IVF) is one of the most advanced and effective treatments for infertility. During IVF, eggs are retrieved from the ovaries and fertilized with sperm in a specialized laboratory. The resulting embryo is then carefully transferred to the uterus to achieve pregnancy. IVF can help individuals and couples overcome many fertility challenges such as tubal factor, male factor, endometriosis, unexplained infertility, age related infertilty, and recurrent miscarriages is also commonly used by single parents and LGBTQ+ families pursuing parenthood.

At Chelsea Fertility NYC, our multi-disciplinary team uses advanced approaches to IVF and other forms of assisted reproductive technology (ART) to create highly personalized treatment plans. Our physicians each bring more than 35 years of experience and wisdom and have been deeply involved in the development and evolution of modern fertility care. This expertise allows our team to carefully evaluate each patient’s situation, recommend the most appropriate treatment options, and guide patients through the IVF process with clarity and confidence.

Fertility treatment can involve emotional, physical, and financial considerations. Throughout your IVF journey, our physicians, nurses, embryologists, and support staff work together to provide coordinated care, compassionate support, and thoughtful guidance at every step. At CFNYC we have immediate access to staff and booking appointments on your schedule.

When is IVF Recommended?

IVF may be recommended when other treatments such as intrauterine insemination, IUI have not been successful, or immediately as a first step in treatment. Such cases occur when there is severe male factor infertility or severe female factor infertility such as advanced endometriosis, tubal obstruction, unexplained infertility, advanced age, poor ovarian reserve and recurrent miscarriages.

The IVF Process

In Vitro Fertilization (IVF) is an assisted reproductive technology procedure (ART) in which a women’s eggs are fertilized by sperm in a laboratory instead of inside the fallopian tube (in –vivo). IVF is the most advanced ART procedure available today, and it is a highly effective, safe form of fertility treatment which has been established since 1980.

Every cycle of IVF involves multiple steps, and each occurs at a specific time during a two to three-week period. The following is an overview of the IVF process, which begins in the month proceeding the actual IVF treatment cycle.

An IVF cycle typically includes the following steps/procedures:

• Medications to grow multiple eggs; average 9-11 days
• Retrieval of eggs from the ovary or ovaries
• Insemination of eggs with sperm, fertilization, ICSI
• Culture of any resulting fertilized eggs (embryos) for several days (2-5 days)
• Placement (“transfer”) of one or more embryo(s) into the uterus; procedure similar to IUI, freezing of embryos
• Support of the uterine lining with hormones to implant and sustain pregnancy

In select and indicated cases, these additional procedures can be employed:

• Intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) to improve the fertilization rate
• Assisted hatching of embryos to increase the chance of embryo attachment (“implantation”) for age related, thick zona of embryo, or poor prognosis
• Embryo cryopreservation (freezing) to allow for future potential use of quality embryos

Click here for a complete overview of The In Vitro Fertilization Process.

IVF & ICSI

ICSI is the great equalizer for male factor infertility and allows for optimization of egg fertilization. ICSI, or intracytoplasmic sperm injection is a technique that injects the sperm into the egg. Its use came of age in the late 1990s and has been considered one of the landmark breakthroughs in fertility treatment. Sperm used in the ICSI technique can be freshly ejaculated or frozen and thawed without any compromise in efficacy. ICSI is so powerful that even men without sperm in their ejaculate or very low numbers can have children using this procedure once the sperm is surgically harvested directly from the testes or vas deferens.

Although ICSI is not necessary for all IVF cases, it is often recommend to improve fertilization rates especially when egg yield is compromised. Standard conventional IVF (without ICSI) is certainly an option for patients, and the decision to perform ICSI will be made as part of an informed process between you and your doctor at Chelsea Fertility NYC. Please note that ICSI per se does not increase the risk over non-ICSI standard IVF for children born with these procedures as compared to infertility patients in general. ICSI is fundamental if embryo biopsy needs to be done.

IVF Success Rates

The physicians of Chelsea Fertility NYC maintain availability of all assisted reproductive resources to their patients in order to treat them the way they want to and should be treated. Our fertility doctors follow ASRM, SART, CAP, NYS DOH, FDA, and ESHRE guidelines. We will always provide a balanced and transparent assessment of prognosis with options and alternatives. Ultimately, pregnancy success rates and delivery success rates are directly related to embryo quality and /or egg quality which are biologically intrinsic to the process.

Success varies with many factors, some of which include:

• The age of the woman when she is using her own eggs.
• The number of embryos that are transferred.
• The quality of the embryos, i.e. its genetic integrity which is a derivative of egg and sperm (gamete) quality.
• Using embryo biopsy to detect normal chromosome number.
• Comprehensive health of recipient.

Frequently Asked Questions about In Vitro Fertilization: