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AFCC's Guide to In Vitro Fertilization (IVF)

Become our next IVF success story. Advanced Fertility Center of Chicago has set itself apart as a leading fertility clinic, with success rates above the national average for over 20 years.

What is IVF?

IVF stands for in vitro fertilization. In the simplest terms, IVF involves retrieving mature eggs and fertilizing them with sperm in a laboratory to create embryos, then transferring an embryo into the recipient’s uterus.

Depending on your individual circumstances, you may undergo IVF with your own eggs and your partner’s sperm, or with donor eggs, sperm, or embryos. You may also consider using a gestational carrier (surrogate), who will carry the pregnancy if you are unable to do so.

Who is a Good Candidate for IVF?

Generally, we’ll use IVF for couples who have failed to conceive after at least one year of trying, and who also fall into one or more of the following categories.

For women:

  • Blocked fallopian tubes
  • Pelvic adhesions with distorted pelvic anatomy
  • 2-4 failed cycles of ovarian stimulation with intrauterine insemination (IUI)
  • Advanced female age (over about 38 years of age)
  • Severe endometriosis

For men:

  • Men who are considering vasectomy reversal surgery
  • Men with male factor infertility

The IVF Process

While the IVF process can seem overwhelming at the outset, the doctors and nurses at AFCC have guided thousands of patients through this journey, one step at a time, and we’re ready to do the same for you. Keep in mind that no two patients are alike, and no two IVF treatment plans are exactly the same, but here’s what most patients can expect.

  1. Testing: Basic screening tests are performed on the aspiring parents. Some of the required testing may already have been performed if you've undergone previous infertility testing and procedures.

  2. Follicle Stimulation:Medications are used to stimulate the ovaries and produce multiple follicles and eggs so that multiple mature eggs can be retrieved in a single cycle. In a natural menstrual cycle, only one egg reaches maturation. However, IVF is more likely to yield a higher success rate when multiple eggs are produced and retrieved.

  3. Egg Retrieval: During the follicle stimulation phase, ultrasounds are used to monitor follicular development. When the eggs have developed to the desired level, they're retrieved from the ovaries using an aspirating needle guided by ultrasound. This procedure is typically done under anesthesia.

  4. Egg Fertilization: Next, the mature eggs are fertilized in a state-of-the-art laboratory by combining the egg and sperm in a Petri dish. In some cases, fertilization is accomplished through a technique known as intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI), in which sperm are injected directly into the eggs.

  5. Embryo Transfer: This is the final procedure in the IVF process. The embryo is placed in a catheter, which is inserted into the uterus. The embryo is delicately transferred to the proper location near the middle of the endometrial cavity so that implantation can occur. In general, this procedure is painless, and no sedation or other drugs are required.

Additional IVF Procedures 

Choose AFCC for Your IVF Journey in Chicago

Are you ready to explore IVF as your path to parenthood? Learn more about our approach to IVF, including our IVF success rates as well as advanced options such as intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI), frozen embryo transfer (FET), embryo freezing, and preimplantation genetic testing (PGT). Contact Advanced Fertility Center of Chicago today for more information about IVF or to schedule a consultation at one of our fertility clinics in Chicago, Downers Grove, Arlington Heights or Gurnee, IL.

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