Main content

In Vitro Fertilization

Procedures for IVF vary depending on the age of the woman and/or her chance for success.

In Vitro Fertilization (IVF)
Steps for IVF
IVF Statistics
Types of IVF

In Vitro Fertilization (IVF)

Couples in which the women has bilateral tubal disease or the man has severe male factor are absolute candidates for IVF. The pregnancy success rate is largely based on the age of the female partner.
Back to top

Steps for IVF

The woman will take drugs that stimulate growth of as many eggs as possible and inhibit ovulation.
The woman will take a drug containing hCG, which stimulates the final maturation of mature eggs. The eggs are then retrieved from a woman's ovaries using a needle via ultrasound guidance.
The eggs are transferred into a laboratory dish where they are combined with sperm for fertilization. In the case of severe male infertility, the eggs are injected with a single sperm, called intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI). ICSI is a relatively new technique that has been embraced as a breakthrough in treating male infertility. Because only one sperm is needed, ICSI can offer real hope to couples where the man has a very low sperm count or produces few good-quality sperm. ICSI can also help couples who would prefer not to use donor sperm.
A number of embryos are transferred back into the uterus in a process similar to the IUI.

IVF Statistics

Age of female	>35	35-37	38-40	41-42	>42
Live birth per transfer procedure	38.4%	33%	24.3%	14.3%	6.0%

IVF typically costs $12,000 to $14,000, depending on the amount of medications used and whether other procedures are needed.

*Based on 2001 statistics from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control (CDC) for U.S. IVF Centers.

Back to top

Types of IVF

Last reviewed December 2007
Back to top