Services at HealthPlus Fertility Centers
Assisted reproduction involves a set of processes by which eggs, sperm, or both are handled outside the body. There are several assisted reproduction methods that are now commonly used. They include in vitro fertilization (IVF), intrauterine insemination (IUI).
Intrauterine Insemination
During an intrauterine insemination (IUI) procedure, a small catheter is used to insert sperm into the uterus. This helps to increase the number of healthy sperm that reaches the woman’s fallopian tube when she is fertile, thereby increasing the chances of fertilization. IUI has become popular because it is cheaper than in vitro fertilization and is not as invasive.
In Vitro Fertilization
The most common form of assisted reproduction treatment is in vitro fertilization (IVF). Vast majority of IVF cycles are performed with some type of ovarian stimulation. Ovarian stimulation is usually started on the second or third day of your menstrual cycle. Ovarian stimulation involves using fertility medications to cause multiple eggs to grow and at the same time prevent premature ovulation. Once the eggs (follicles) are ready for egg retrieval, you will be administered an injection to trigger ovulation. Following the final trigger, egg retrieval is performed under anesthesia. Egg retrieval is known by several names, including ovum pick up, egg pick up and egg collection. During this procedure, the physician inserts an ultrasound probe into the vagina and then uses a needle to withdraw the egg from each follicle (takes approximately 15-30 minutes) depending upon how many follicles are present. After the retrieval procedure, the eggs are combined with sperm in a laboratory dish so they will fertilize. This produces an embryo. The embryo that is produced is then placed back into her uterus on the 2nd, 3rd or the 5th day, where it implants and begins to grow. When more than one embryo is transferred, there is a possibility of having multiple births, such as twins or even more.
Many people view in vitro fertilization as the last resort for all infertility problems. But of all the assisted reproduction techniques, it has a high success rate.
Since the introduction of assisted reproduction, it has become more likely for all couples to have a healthy pregnancy. There are methods that would suit anyone as long as their medical history is analyzed properly by their specialists. These methods also ensure that you have control over your body concerning when you want to become pregnant and the kind of spacing you want between children.
Contact HealthPlus today to make an appointment with a specialist who will attend to you and to whom you can ask all the questions that you may have.