In Vitro Fertilization (IVF)
In vitro fertilization (IVF) at our Somerset, Freehold, Short Hills, and Hamilton 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.
Intracytoplasmic Sperm Injection (ICSI)
Intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) is a laboratory procedure developed primarily to help infertile couples that are undergoing in vitro fertilization (IVF) due to severe male factor infertility. ICSI involves the insertion of a single sperm directly into the cytoplasm or center of eggs using a microinjection pipette (custom-made needle). This is accomplished by the use of a high powered operating microscope which allows us to operate with instruments that are invisible to the naked eye.
Blastocyst Transfer
A blastocyst is an embryo that has divided into many cells over the five-day period following egg retrieval. We usually transfer two blastocysts which reduces the incidence of high order pregnancies (i.e. triplets and quadruplets). The blastocyst transfer procedure requires no anesthesia and takes only a few minutes. During the procedure, a special catheter full of embryos or blastocysts is guided through the cervix, and the embryos/blastocysts are gently placed into the top of the uterine cavity.
Assisted Hatching
In some instances, the outer layer of tissue that surrounds the embryo may not hatch open properly, preventing implantation. Using a high powered operating microscope an embryologist can assist the hatching process by creating an opening in the shell of the embryo by using microsurgical techniques with an acidified solution or a laser.
Embryo Cryopreservation
The cryopreservation and storage of excess embryos resulting from IVF treatment has been routinely, and successfully, performed in the clinical setting since 1983. Our highly skilled and experienced embryologists determine if embryos are suitable for freezing, as only high-quality embryos will survive the cryopreservation and thaw process. Because of these limitations the majority of IVF treatments will not result in embryos suitable for cryopreservation. Current statistics for our laboratory show the survival rate of embryos following the cryopreservation/thaw process is typically over 90 percent with a clinical pregnancy rate per transfer of 60 percent.
Embryo Donation
After an IVF cycle many patients have remaining embryos that are cryopreserved for future use. After the first year of storage which is included in the cryopreservation fee patients are given the opportunity to choose an option for the remaining embryos. The options include: using them for further family building, keeping them frozen for an additional year(s), donating them for stem cell research, discarding the embryos and anonymously donating the embryos to another couple.
Egg Freezing
Egg freezing by our fertility specialists at IVF New Jersey allows women under the age of 40 who currently do not have a partner the freedom to store their eggs when they are younger, in essence becoming egg donors for themselves. Then, when these women are ready to start a family or add on to their existing family, the eggs are thawed and fertilized and resulting embryos transferred into their uterus.
Fertility Preservation
Fertility preservation techniques have been developed with the purpose of helping women overcome the complications of infertility associated with chemotherapy and radiation therapy. IVF NJ utilizes established procedures including egg and embryo freezing for cancer patients. The state of NJ has mandated coverage of fertility preservation treatments for patients who are undergoing chemotherapy or radiation for cancer.