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<div class="HwContainer HwElement" id="HwContainer"><a class="HwMainSkipNavigation" href="#HwContentTitle"><span class="HwAccessibilityText">Skip Navigation</span></a><div class="HwBlock" id="HwMain" role="main"><div class="HwRow"><div class="HwColumn" id="HwColumnSidebar1"><div class="HwCustom" id="HwCustomSidebar"> </div></div><div class="HwColumn" id="HwColumnContent"><div id="HwContentTop"> </div><div class="HwTypeOtherDetail HwContentWrapper HwElement" role="article" id="HwContentWrapper"><div class="HwCustom" id="HwCustomContentTop"> </div><div class="HwContentHeader"><p><a name="top" id="Hwtop"><span class="HwAccessibilityText">Top of the page</span></a> </p></div><div class="HwContentTitle"><h1 id="HwContentTitle" tabindex="-1">In Vitro Fertilization (IVF)</h1></div><div class="HwContentTopNavigation"> </div><div class="HwContent"><div class="HwNavigationSection HwSectionFloat" id="sec-hw227382"><p fingerprint="beaf4792" fingerprint-exact="4094fc75">During in vitro fertilization (IVF), eggs and sperm are brought together in a lab to allow the sperm to fertilize an egg. With IVF, you can use any combination of your own eggs and sperm and donor eggs and sperm. </p><p fingerprint="d686c72c" fingerprint-exact="45f6b763">After IVF, one or more fertilized eggs are placed in the <a class="HwLinkMultiMedia" data-hw-type="MultiMedia" data-hw-document-href="hw142281" data-hw-section="hw142281-sec" rel="MultiMedia" hw:document-type="MultiMedia" hw:document-href="hw142281" data-hwid="hw142281" hw:section-href="hw142281-sec" hw:link-type="image" href="?id=hw142281#hw142281-sec"><span class="HwLinkText">uterus</span></a>.</p><ul fingerprint="6ed66d41" fingerprint-exact="df5884f4"><li><b>Ovarian stimulation and egg retrieval. </b>To prepare for a procedure using your own eggs, you will likely need hormone treatment to control ovulation and make your ovaries grow multiple eggs at once. This is often done with shots of gonadotropin-releasing hormone analogue (GnRH agonist or GnRH antagonist) and gonadatropins (such as <a class="HwLinkDefinition" data-hw-type="Definition" data-hw-document-href="tn9619" data-hw-section="tn9619-sec" rel="Definition" hw:document-type="Definition" hw:document-href="tn9619" data-hwid="tn9619" hw:section-href="tn9619-sec" href="?id=tn9619#tn9619-sec"><span class="HwLinkText">follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH)</span></a>). You will get these hormone shots every day for about 1 to 2 weeks. Your doctor will check your blood estrogen levels and will use <a class="HwLinkDefinition" data-hw-type="Definition" data-hw-document-href="stu3177" data-hw-section="stu3177-sec" rel="Definition" hw:document-type="Definition" hw:document-href="stu3177" data-hwid="stu3177" hw:section-href="stu3177-sec" href="?id=stu3177#stu3177-sec"><span class="HwLinkText">ultrasound</span></a> to see how your <a class="HwLinkDefinition" data-hw-type="Definition" data-hw-document-href="hw226883" data-hw-section="hw226883-sec" rel="Definition" hw:document-type="Definition" hw:document-href="hw226883" data-hwid="hw226883" hw:section-href="hw226883-sec" href="?id=hw226883#hw226883-sec"><span class="HwLinkText">follicles</span></a> are developing. Your dose may change based on test results. You will be monitored frequently with transvaginal ultrasound and blood tests. If follicles fully develop, you are given a human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) injection to stimulate the eggs to mature. The mature eggs are collected 34 to 36 hours later. This is done with needle aspiration guided by ultrasound. Most people have pain medicine and sedation for this procedure. </li><li><b>Sperm collection. </b>Sperm are collected by means of masturbation or by taking sperm from a testicle through a small incision. This procedure is done when a blockage prevents sperm from being ejaculated or when there is a problem with sperm development. Sperm may have been collected and frozen at an earlier time. In that case, the sperm are thawed on the day the eggs are collected. </li><li><b>Fertilization and embryo transfer. </b>The eggs and sperm are placed in a dish. They are incubated with careful temperature, atmospheric, and infection control for 48 to 120 hours. About 2 to 5 days after fertilization, the best fertilized eggs are selected. One to four eggs are placed in the uterus. This is done with a thin flexible tube (catheter) that is inserted through the cervix. The other eggs may be frozen (cryopreserved) for future attempts. </li><li><b>Pregnancy and birth. </b>Any <a class="HwLinkDefinition" data-hw-type="Definition" data-hw-document-href="ste122056" data-hw-section="ste122056-sec" rel="Definition" hw:document-type="Definition" hw:document-href="ste122056" data-hwid="ste122056" hw:section-href="ste122056-sec" href="?id=ste122056#ste122056-sec"><span class="HwLinkText">embryos</span></a> that implant in the uterus may then result in pregnancy and birth of one or more infants. </li></ul></div><div class="HwNavigationSection HwSectionSpecialSection" id="sec-hw227390"><a class="HwSectionNameTag" name="hw227390" id="anchor-hw227390" aria-hidden="true"> </a><h2 class="HwSectionTitle" fingerprint="f0ca2bcd" fingerprint-exact="aa9e9669">What To Expect</h2><p fingerprint="1c59dbd2" fingerprint-exact="63cd23ed">Overall, in vitro fertilization (IVF)-related injections, monitoring, and procedures can be emotionally and physically demanding. Superovulation with hormones requires regular blood tests, daily injections, frequent monitoring by your doctor, and harvesting of eggs. </p><p fingerprint="88181708" fingerprint-exact="ef715ee0">These procedures are done on an outpatient basis. They require only a short recovery time. You may be advised to avoid strenuous activities for the rest of the day or to be on bed rest for a few days. This depends on your condition and what your doctor recommends.</p></div><div class="HwNavigationSection HwSectionSpecialSection" id="sec-hw227392"><a class="HwSectionNameTag" name="hw227392" id="anchor-hw227392" aria-hidden="true"> </a><h2 class="HwSectionTitle" fingerprint="3d5095ef" fingerprint-exact="55cd7304">Why It Is Done</h2><p fingerprint="d8a38aa7" fingerprint-exact="956915a1">IVF may be a treatment choice if you have:</p><ul fingerprint="c34cb77f" fingerprint-exact="c608b71d"><li>Missing or blocked <a class="HwLinkDefinition" data-hw-type="Definition" data-hw-document-href="stf124085" data-hw-section="stf124085-sec" rel="Definition" hw:document-type="Definition" hw:document-href="stf124085" data-hwid="stf124085" hw:section-href="stf124085-sec" href="?id=stf124085#stf124085-sec"><span class="HwLinkText">fallopian tubes</span></a>. </li><li>Severe <a class="HwLinkDefinition" data-hw-type="Definition" data-hw-document-href="ste17211" data-hw-section="ste17211-sec" rel="Definition" hw:document-type="Definition" hw:document-href="ste17211" data-hwid="ste17211" hw:section-href="ste17211-sec" href="?id=ste17211#ste17211-sec"><span class="HwLinkText">endometriosis</span></a>. </li><li>A partner with low sperm counts. </li><li>Infertility that can't be explained and has lasted a long time. </li><li>A low number of eggs. </li><li>Irregular menstrual periods or problems with releasing an egg (ovulation). </li></ul><p fingerprint="fb1fc3fc" fingerprint-exact="de99643a">Other reasons you may choose IVF include:</p><ul fingerprint="8cbb1f5a" fingerprint-exact="060e19f7"><li>You had surgery to reverse a <a class="HwLinkDefinition" data-hw-type="Definition" data-hw-document-href="stt11357" data-hw-section="stt11357-sec" rel="Definition" hw:document-type="Definition" hw:document-href="stt11357" data-hwid="stt11357" hw:section-href="stt11357-sec" href="?id=stt11357#stt11357-sec"><span class="HwLinkText">tubal ligation</span></a> ("having your tubes tied"), and it didn't work. </li><li>You had <a class="HwLinkDefinition" data-hw-type="Definition" data-hw-document-href="tn9630" data-hw-section="tn9630-sec" rel="Definition" hw:document-type="Definition" hw:document-href="tn9630" data-hwid="tn9630" hw:section-href="tn9630-sec" href="?id=tn9630#tn9630-sec"><span class="HwLinkText">artificial or intrauterine insemination</span></a>, and it didn't work. </li><li>You want to test for inherited disorders before embryos are transferred. </li><li>You plan to use donor eggs or donor sperm. </li><li>You plan to have someone else (a surrogate) carry the baby. </li></ul></div><div class="HwNavigationSection HwSectionSpecialSection" id="sec-hw227407"><a class="HwSectionNameTag" name="hw227407" id="anchor-hw227407" aria-hidden="true"> </a><h2 class="HwSectionTitle" fingerprint="f5001b9d" fingerprint-exact="74f07377">How Well It Works</h2><p fingerprint="a386164f" fingerprint-exact="1b1dbdd8">While many people have babies after in vitro fertilization (IVF), success depends on many different things. Almost all <a class="HwLinkDefinition" data-hw-type="Definition" data-hw-document-href="sta123331" data-hw-section="sta123331-sec" rel="Definition" hw:document-type="Definition" hw:document-href="sta123331" data-hwid="sta123331" hw:section-href="sta123331-sec" href="?id=sta123331#sta123331-sec"><span class="HwLinkText">assisted reproductive technology (ART)</span></a> procedures are done using IVF.</p><ul fingerprint="a2e1d796" fingerprint-exact="53908b15"><li><b>Age. </b>The age of the egg supply affects the chances that an assisted reproductive technology (ART) procedure will result in pregnancy and a healthy baby. Birth rates from IVF steadily decrease if you are using your own eggs after age 35. </li><li><b>Cause of infertility. </b>Infertility can be caused by problems with the reproductive system. Some of these causes can include problems with the fallopian tubes, with <a class="HwLinkDefinition" data-hw-type="Definition" data-hw-document-href="sto167434" data-hw-section="sto167434-sec" rel="Definition" hw:document-type="Definition" hw:document-href="sto167434" data-hwid="sto167434" hw:section-href="sto167434-sec" href="?id=sto167434#sto167434-sec"><span class="HwLinkText">ovulation</span></a>, or with the sperm. </li><li><b>Pregnancy history. </b>If you have already been pregnant and had a live birth, you are more likely to have a successful ART procedure than someone who hasn't given birth before. </li><li><b>Own eggs versus donor eggs. </b>Birth rates are affected by whether ART procedures use your own eggs or donor eggs. For those over age 40, using donor eggs instead of your own eggs can greatly improve the chances of giving birth to healthy babies. </li><li><b>Frozen embryos versus fresh embryos. </b>Donor-frozen IVF embryos from a previous IVF cycle that are thawed and transferred to the uterus are less likely to result in a live birth than are donor-fresh (newly fertilized) IVF embryos. But frozen embryos are less expensive and less invasive, because superovulation and egg retrieval aren't needed. </li></ul></div><div class="HwNavigationSection HwSectionSpecialSection" id="sec-aa35150"><a class="HwSectionNameTag" name="aa35150" id="anchor-aa35150" aria-hidden="true"> </a><h2 class="HwSectionTitle" fingerprint="a566bce5" fingerprint-exact="1aacb8d8">Risks</h2><p fingerprint="c0814e27" fingerprint-exact="48d27596">In vitro fertilization (IVF) increases the risks of ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome and multiple pregnancy.</p><ul fingerprint="b1e15372" fingerprint-exact="d2161d61"><li><a class="HwLinkDefinition" data-hw-type="Definition" data-hw-document-href="tn5327" data-hw-section="tn5327-sec" rel="Definition" hw:document-type="Definition" hw:document-href="tn5327" data-hwid="tn5327" hw:section-href="tn5327-sec" href="?id=tn5327#tn5327-sec"><span class="HwLinkText">Superovulation</span></a> with hormone treatment can cause severe <a class="HwLinkDefinition" data-hw-type="Definition" data-hw-document-href="sto167456" data-hw-section="sto167456-sec" rel="Definition" hw:document-type="Definition" hw:document-href="sto167456" data-hwid="sto167456" hw:section-href="sto167456-sec" href="?id=sto167456#sto167456-sec"><span class="HwLinkText">ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome</span></a>. Your doctor can reduce this risk by closely monitoring your ovaries and hormone levels during your treatment. </li><li>The risk of a multiple pregnancy is directly related to the number of embryos transferred to the uterus. Multiple pregnancies are high-risk for both you and the fetuses. </li></ul><p fingerprint="b3819891" fingerprint-exact="e7228532">There may be a higher risk of birth defects for babies conceived by certain assisted reproductive techniques, such as IVF. Talk with your doctor about these possible risks.</p><h3 class="HwSubSectionTitle" fingerprint="8b809c52" fingerprint-exact="c8842046">Embryo transfer success versus the risk of multiple pregnancy</h3><p fingerprint="2536f71f" fingerprint-exact="4e842d96">If you are older than 35, you may choose to have more embryos transferred than someone who is younger. This will give you the best chance of getting pregnant using your own eggs and having a healthy pregnancy. But this increases your risk of multiple pregnancy. </p><p fingerprint="98a7b189" fingerprint-exact="66be322c">Because of the risks with multiple pregnancy, experts recommend that you limit the number of embryos transferred. Your doctor will recommend a certain number of embryos. This number is based on your age and other factors. </p><p fingerprint="00df0305" fingerprint-exact="0488bf1a">If you are older than 40, there is a high rate of embryo loss when using your own eggs. Donor eggs may work better for you.</p></div><div class="HwNavigationSection HwCreditsSection HwCreditsWithoutNavstack HwSectionCredits" id="sec-hw227379-Credits"><a class="HwSectionNameTag" name="hw227379-Credits" id="anchor-hw227379-Credits" aria-hidden="true"> </a><h2 class="HwSectionTitle">Credits</h2><div class="HwContentInformation"><div class="HwLastUpdated"><p><span class="HwInfoLabel">Current as of: </span> May 5, 2025</p></div><div class="HwCredits"><p><span class="HwInfoLabel">Author: </span><a class="HwLinkExternal" href="https://www.healthwise.org/specialpages/legal/abouthw/en" title="Opens in a new window"><span class="HwLinkText">Ignite Healthwise, LLC Staff</span></a><br><span><b><a class="HwLinkExternal" href="https://www.healthwise.org/specialpages/legal/abouthw/en" title="Opens in a new window"><span class="HwLinkText">Clinical Review Board</span></a></b></span><br>All Ignite Healthwise, LLC education is reviewed by a team that includes physicians, nurses, advanced practitioners, registered dieticians, and other healthcare professionals.</p></div></div></div></div><div class="HwCustom" id="HwCustomContentBottom"> </div><div class="HwContentNavigation HwContentNavigationNoSections"><div class="HwContentNavigationNone"> </div><div class="HwContentNavigationTop"><a href="#top">Top of the page</a></div><div class="HwContentNavigationNone"> </div></div><div class="HwContentInformation HwContentInformationNoSections"><div class="HwLastUpdated"><p><span class="HwInfoLabel">Current as of: </span>May 5, 2025</p></div><div class="HwCredits"><p><span class="HwInfoLabel">Author: </span><a class="HwLinkDisclaimer" href="https://www.healthwise.org/specialpages/legal/abouthw/en">Ignite Healthwise, LLC Staff</a></p><p><a class="HwLinkDisclaimer" href="https://www.healthwise.org/specialpages/legal/abouthw/en"><span><b>Clinical Review Board</b></span></a><br>All Ignite Healthwise, LLC education is reviewed by a team that includes physicians, nurses, advanced practitioners, registered dieticians, and other healthcare professionals.</p></div></div></div></div><div class="HwColumn" id="HwColumnSidebar2"><div class="HwCustom" id="HwCustomNavigationTop"> </div><div class="HwElement" id="HwNavigationWrapper"><div class="HwNavigation" id="HwNavigation" role="navigation"><h3 class="HwNavStackHeader" id="HwNavStackHeader">Topic Contents</h3><ul aria-labelledby="HwNavStackHeader"><li id="nav-hw227390"><a class="HwLinkNavstack" data-hw-type="OtherDetail" data-hw-document-href="hw227379" data-hw-section="hw227390" hw:document-type="OtherDetail" hw:document-href="hw227379" data-hwid="hw227379" hw:section-href="hw227390" href="?id=hw227379#hw227390">What To Expect</a></li><li id="nav-hw227392"><a class="HwLinkNavstack" data-hw-type="OtherDetail" data-hw-document-href="hw227379" data-hw-section="hw227392" hw:document-type="OtherDetail" hw:document-href="hw227379" data-hwid="hw227379" hw:section-href="hw227392" href="?id=hw227379#hw227392">Why It Is Done</a></li><li id="nav-hw227407"><a class="HwLinkNavstack" data-hw-type="OtherDetail" data-hw-document-href="hw227379" data-hw-section="hw227407" hw:document-type="OtherDetail" hw:document-href="hw227379" data-hwid="hw227379" hw:section-href="hw227407" href="?id=hw227379#hw227407">How Well It Works</a></li><li id="nav-aa35150"><a class="HwLinkNavstack" data-hw-type="OtherDetail" data-hw-document-href="hw227379" data-hw-section="aa35150" hw:document-type="OtherDetail" hw:document-href="hw227379" data-hwid="hw227379" hw:section-href="aa35150" href="?id=hw227379#aa35150">Risks</a></li></ul></div></div><div class="HwNavigationWrapper HwNavigationEmpty"> </div><div class="HwCustom" id="HwCustomNavigationBottom"> </div><div class="HwElement" id="HwMediaItemsWrapper"><div id="HwMediaItems"><ol class="HwMediaItemList"><li class="HwMediaItem HwMediaItemTopicImage" id="HwMediaItem-hw142281"><a class="HwMediaItemLink" data-hw-type="MultiMedia" data-hw-document-href="hw142281" rel="MultiMedia 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