In-Vitro Fertilization: the Treatment in Detail

Cumulus cells which surround an egg cell

An eggcell and a spermcell are put togheter in a dish.

The essence of IVF treatment, is that fertilization does not take place in the fallopian tube, but in the laboratory. In the step by step overview we start with some information about:

1. In women:
   stimulation of the ovaries (and possible suppression of the natural cycle);
   hCG injection, and
   the egg cell pick-up;
2. The role of the man: the production of a sperm sample. Men with an insufficient sperm count in their ejaculate may need to undergo anone of the sperm extraction techniques;
3. in the lab: IVF of ICSI;
4. again for women: the embyro transfer. In a second treatment this could be a transfer of thawed embryos;
5. the preparation for potential pregnancy and follow-up of result. If the treatment is successful, there will be a follow-up of pregnancy for a number of weeks.