IVF is the best known, and most widely used, of all the assisted reproductive technology options. Using this technology, oocytes (eggs) are directly removed from the woman’s ovaries and exposed to sperm in a petri dish to achieve fertilization. The advantages of this approach are that several reproductive processes are bypassed, eliminating the need for the fallopian tube to pick up the ovulated egg and transport the embryo. Further, in vitro fertilization permits direct exposure of the sperm to the egg, providing the best possible scenario for sperm to fertilize the egg.
No surgery is needed for recovering the eggs. The female is carefully sedated to ensure her comfort, while recovery of eggs is achieved through the vagina, using ultrasound guidance. The laboratory immediately identifies and collects the eggs, preparing them for exposure to sperm, either by incubating thousands of sperm with the egg (insemination), or by directly injecting an individual sperm into each egg (ICSI or intracytoplasmic sperm injection). The resulting embryos are cultured between two to five days in the laboratory before being transferred into the uterus.
The embryology laboratory team carefully handles the embryos, observing their growth and characteristics, which enable the embryologist to select the best one to two embryos for transfer into the woman’s uterus. Transfer of the embryo or embryos is achieved by carefully passing a tiny catheter through the cervix to a precise position in the uterus (endometrium). A small microdrop of special fluid is used to “float” the embryos into position and the catheter is slowly withdrawn, then being examined under the microscope to make sure the transfer occurred. Any remaining embryos are then carefully observed and cryopreserved (frozen) for subsequent transfer.
You can also find detailed information in our IVF handbook that will help guide you through the in vitro fertilization process.
Intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) is a technique which involves injecting a single sperm into the egg using micromanipulation techniques. It may be used in cases where there is male factor (low sperm quantity or quality) issues, and for patients who have previously undergone IVF with poor fertilization results. ICSI has been shown to dramatically improve fertilization in these patients.
In some cases, the embryo has a difficult time completing the hatching process. Assisted zona hatching (AZH) is used in such cases and is performed by creating a small hole in the shell (zona pellucida) that surrounds the embryo. By creating this hole artificially, embryos are better able to escape the zona, increasing the chance of implantation and pregnancy.
Preimplantation Genetic Testing (PGT) is a process used with IVF to test embryos before they are transferred back into the uterus. PGT includes Preimplantation Genetic Diagnosis (PGD), a process that screens embryos for genetic disorders in patients at risk of passing on serious inherited disorders to their children and Preimplantation Genetic Screening (PGS), a process that screens embryos for chromosomal abnormalities.
Since its inception in 1992, The Midwest Center for Reproductive Health, P.A. (MCRH) has earned an impeccable reputation as one of the most successful infertility treatment facilities in the country. In fact, MCRH IVF success rates are consistently amongst the highest in the nation.
Weather you are interested in donating your eggs or are considering using an egg donor, MCRH can help guide you through the process.
Our care team, working together with our experienced laboratory team, can facilitate your journey through this process, helping you with your decision making as it applies
MCRH has earned an impeccable reputation as one of the most successful infertility treatment facilities in the country, they are consistently amongst the highest in the nat
We started our journey with MCRH back in March 2018 and they have been nothing short of amazing. My husband and I were both diagnosed with infertility but refused to give up hope and Dr. Corfman and his team refused to give up o…
– Jennifer
My husband and I can never thank all of you enough for your knowledge and kindness. We had two embryos transferred and are expecting one baby. I will be nine weeks along by the time you receive this. Being an RN, I have worked w…
– Expectant Mother
Words cannot begin to express how we feel about you. Saying thank you just doesn’t seem to be enough. You used your knowledge and expertise to make our dreams come true. This you did not only once, but twice. Our dreams of havin…
– Mother of S. and R.
Hi! I’m the mother of one of your patients. I just wanted you to know how delighted I am with the warm and caring treatment she’s had from all of you so far. Thank you so much for all you’re doing for them and for all the other …
– Mother of a Patient
The next step in our plan was to forge ahead with IVF. Knowing our next step was to pursue IVF, we had a serious discussion as to how to proceed. We were balancing the financial implications with our experiences and feelings reg…
– Expectant Mother
We want to thank you for the special care that I received during these years of trying to have a baby. I’m sure you’ve heard it a thousand times before, but you’ve changed our lives forever - thank you!! We would like to thank …
– Mother of J. and J.
Our incredibly handsome, wonderfully healthy son was born early this morning! We are VERY happy and we want to thank each of you for your part in making this miracle possible. He is a wonderful gift that would not have been poss…
– Parents of J.
Dr. Corfman and his team are amazing! They not only understand you and your journey, but they are patient and treat you as you are a person wanting a family, not "just a patient or number". Dr. Corfman really takes the time to g…
– Amanda
Vitals.com has awarded Dr. Corfman with the Compassionate Doctor Award for 5 years in a row!
– MCRH Staff
Such an amazing team! Honest and straightforward, so knowledgeable and comprehensive, and incredibly caring and supportive every step of the way. We cannot say enough positive things. We have felt blessed to have them involved i…
– Megan
Vitals.com has awarded Dr. Corfman with the Patients' Choice Award for 5 Years in a row!
– MCRH Staff
I'm not quite sure if my husband or I will ever be able to properly thank Dr. Corfman and all of his staff. We walked into his office for the first time not knowing a thing about IVF- but just knowing we would need it to get pre…
– Kendra
My husband and I tried for five years to have a baby on our own. Dr Corfman and his staff are very professional. They are also caring, kind, sensitive, compassionate, and they listen to the patient. After two unsuccessful attemp…
– Stacey
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