IVF Basics: The Least You Need to Know

Understanding In Vitro Fertilization

You may have heard the term IVF a lot in your quest to conceive, but what exactly do we mean by it? What is in vitro fertilization, and how does it work? If you’ve been a little unclear on these questions, allow us at Palm Beach Fertility Center to offer a brief explanation.

“In vitro” literally translates as “in glass,” referring to the artificial environment in which an egg can be fertilized. The in vitro fertilization process starts by taking egg and sperm cells either from two partners or from a partner and a donor, and then combining them in the IVF lab until an egg cell has been successfully fertilized by a sperm cell. Once we achieve this result, Dr. Mark Denker can implant the newly created embryo in the uterus for a standard pregnancy and delivery. If you have a medical condition that makes it risky or impossible to carry an embryo to full term, we can even implant the embryo into a surrogate’s uterus instead.

But Before You Start IVF…

As safe and effective as IVF is, it’s not something to rush into. Before the actual procedure can begin, Dr. Denker needs to perform egg and sperm analyses to make sure we have the right quantity and quality of genetic materials with which to work. We also need to screen you and your partner for infectious diseases, discuss your medical histories, and perform a uterine examination to determine the best approach.

We might even find that another less invasive fertility treatment makes more sense for you. In fact, the large majority of fertility patients will not require IVF to get pregnant! Contact Palm Beach Fertility Center to schedule a consultation.