What is In Vitro Fertilization or IVF?
The in vitro fertilization experts at North Hudson IVF, serving Bergen County and Northern New Jersey, bring extensive knowledge and experience to each step of the process, improving each patient’s chances of a successful procedure.
In vitro (Latin for “in glass”) fertilization involves obtaining mature eggs from the ovary and incubating them with healthy, active sperm to achieve fertilization outside of the body. As it turns out, achieving fertilization in vitro is relatively simple, but there’s a lot more to the IVF process than just that.
IVF is not only an effective infertility treatment option on its own, but is also the basis for procedures such as intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) and egg donation.
After confirming fertilization on the day following insemination (see Figure 1) the embryos are incubated for another three to five days before being returned to the uterus. During this incubation period, the embryos will continue to divide to the 8-cell stage by the third day of development (see Figure 2 below).
Replacing the Embryos
Using a thin plastic tube inserted through the cervix, the embryos may be returned to the uterus at the 8-cell stage (day three of development). However, at North Hudson I.V.F., we want our in vitro fertilization patients in Bergen County and Northern New Jersey to have the best chances of successful implantation and pregnancy. Therefore, we prefer to continue incubation of the embryos for two to three more days, at which point the embryos reach blastocyst stage on day five or six of development (see Figure 3 below).
Embryos must develop to the blastocyst stage in order to attach to the endometrium. Transferring embryos at the blastocyst stage ensures that the embryos have acquired the developmental capacity for attachment and implantation. That is why, at North Hudson IVF Center, serving Northern New Jersey and the New York City metro area, all embryos are grown to the blastocyst stage prior to transfer. Embryos that are not transferred to the uterus may be cryopreserved (frozen) for later use.
Blastocyst stage embryos also survive the freeze-thaw process better than 8-cell stage embryos.
Contact North Hudson IVF
If you are considering in vitro fertilization – IVF and live in Bergen County or the Northern New Jersey area, please contact our office today to schedule a consultation. We will be happy to answer any questions you have and provide guidance while you decide which procedure is right for you. We can also answer questions about costs and financing options.
