In vitro fertilization (IVF) at our Somerset, Freehold, Hamilton , and Short Hills facilities is an option for couples that are having a difficult time conceiving for various reasons. In vitro fertilization involves stimulating multiple eggs to grow, retrieving mature eggs, fertilizing the eggs in the laboratory, and transferring fertilized eggs (embryos) into the uterus for the establishment of pregnancy.
Safe Storage – Learn about embryo cryopreservation
Embryo Selection – Learn how our blastocyst transfer reduces the chance of multiple births
In Vitro Fertilization Process
Treatment with in vitro fertilization begins with an orientation visit. During the IVF orientation, you and your partner will have a private consultation with an IVF New Jersey physician, an IVF nurse coordinator, and a financial counselor to discuss your history and your expectations.
There are several advantages to in vitro fertilization. Eggs can be evaluated and fertilization can be confirmed in the lab, and there is more opportunity to influence sperm concentration.
The first step is stimulating multiple eggs to grow. During egg growth stimulation, which is referred to as controlled ovarian hyperstimulation, you will receive an injectable medication, called gonadotropins, every day for seven to 12 days. This medication is designed to induce the growth of multiple egg sacs (follicles), which contain the eggs within your ovaries.
After the seven- to twelve-day period of ovarian stimulation, Human Chronic Gonadotropin (HCG), another injection of lupron, is administered to help the final maturation process of the eggs. The egg retrieval procedure is performed in the IVF New Jersey operating suite. During the procedure, a needle is inserted transvaginally under ultrasound guidance into the ovarian follicles, and fluid and eggs are carefully suctioned out. The procedure usually takes about 20 minutes and is done under sedation.
The number of eggs we retrieve depends on the patient’s response to the stimulating medication. About 65% of the eggs will fertilize normally. The majority of fertilized eggs will divide and become an early embryo, sometimes called a “pre-embryo.” The better quality pre-embryos will continue to divide to the five-day stage, and they are referred to as “blastocysts.” About three to five days after your IVF procedure, you will return to the center for the embryo or blastocyst transfer. To find out if you would be a good candidate for in vitro fertilization, contact IVF New Jersey at our facilities in Somerset, Hamilton, Freehold, or Short Hills today.
What Is a Blastocyst?
A blastocyst is an embryo that has divided into many cells over the five-day period following egg retrieval. Blastocysts are a more advanced group of embryos, making them more likely to implant. Because of the higher implantation rate, we need to transfer only two blastocysts to obtain exceptional pregnancy rates. This reduces the risk of triplet pregnancies to less than 2% and quadruplet pregnancies to almost zero. This is of paramount importance because high-order pregnancies are associated with a higher risk of serious medical complications for both the babies and mother. The embryo/blastocyst transfer procedure requires no anesthesia and takes only a few minutes. During the procedure, a special catheter containing the embryos or blastocysts is guided through the cervix, and the embryos/blastocysts are gently placed near the top of the uterine cavity. To learn more about blastocysts or IVF, contact our in vitro fertilization practice in Somerset, Hamilton, Freehold, or Short Hills today to schedule a consultation.
Intracytoplasmic Sperm Injection (ICSI)
Intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) is a laboratory procedure developed primarily to help infernal couples undergoing IVF due to severe male factor infertility. ICSI is a microsurgical technique that involves fertilization of eggs by injecting a single sperm into a mature egg using a microinjection pipette (glass needle). This allows men with a history of severely abnormal sperm to become biologic fathers. This includes men who have no sperm in their ejaculate and need to undergo a surgical technique to remove the sperm from their testes. Contact IVF New Jersey in Somerset, Freehold, Hamilton, or Short Hills to learn more about this procedure.
Assisted Hatching
Assisted hatching is performed when the zona pellucidae (the membrane surrounding the cells of an embryo) is too thick or if there is decreased embryo quality. During the assisted hatching procedure, the zona is thinned, helping the embryo to escape, or “hatch.” This procedure is performed in the laboratory using microscopically controlled tools. Our embryologist will decide if the procedure is necessary. At our in vitro fertilization practice in Somerset, Freehold, Hamilton, or Short Hills, our doctors are prepared to answer all your questions about the infertility treatments offered at our facilities.
Embryo Cryopreservation
After the patient under goes the fresh embryo transfer there may be “extra” blastocysts which can be cryopreserved (frozen in liquid nitrogen). The purpose of embryo freezing is to save the embryo(s) for a future attempt at pregnancy at a later date. Extra embryos following the IFV procedure are examined to determine if they are suitable for freezing. Embryos that are deemed to be of sufficient quality can be frozen. Conversely, embryos of insufficient quality are not frozen and are discarded.
If you are interested in learning more, contact us about IVF New Jersey’s in vitro fertilization treatment in Somerset, Freehold, Hamilton, or Short Hills.