How Does IVF Work?

In vitro fertilization (IVF) is a set of procedures that helps individuals and couples who are unable to get pregnant through the natural conception process. With infertility affecting an estimated 48 million couples and 186 million individuals worldwide, IVF offers a better chance at the opportunity to conceive a child. 

Here at Effortless IVF in Bedford and Fort Worth, Texas, our expert infertility specialists, Dr. Kevin Doody and Dr. Kathleen Doody, will help you through the entire IVF process. 

Keep reading to learn how IVF works — and how it can help you overcome your infertility and conceive the child you’ve always wanted.

The conventional IVF process

To begin the IVF process, your doctor gives you medications that cause several of your eggs to mature and become ready for fertilization. Once they’ve matured, your doctor harvests them and manually fertilizes them with your partner’s sperm or donor sperm in a controlled lab environment. 

The fertilized eggs are then reimplanted directly into your uterus, where pregnancy will occur if one or more of the fertilized eggs implant into your uterus’s lining. 

IVF can be done using your eggs and your partner’s sperm, or, in cases where that may not be an option, the process can be completed using sperm and/or eggs from an anonymous or known donor. 

A full IVF cycle typically takes three weeks to complete, and it may take multiple rounds before an embryo successfully implants and a baby is conceived. It’s important to remain patient and follow your doctor’s treatment guidelines to increase your chances of success. 

The effortless IVF advantage

Effortless IVF simplifies the IVF process and eliminates the need for several sonograms and monitoring appointments required for conventional IVF. We use a single stimulation sonogram on the 10th day of the cycle to determine when egg retrieval will occur.

Once the eggs are harvested, our team uses a new device called an INVOcell to bypass the need for expensive lab work. The sperm and eggs are placed inside the INVOcell, which is then placed inside your vagina to serve as a natural “incubator” for developing the embryo. Once the embryos have reached the proper stage, they are transferred from the INVOcell to the uterus.

Using the INVOcell process allows our team to deliver effective IVF treatments at lower costs and in less time compared to traditional IVF, while still maintaining high success rates.

Why you may want to consider IVF

There are many reasons why you and your partner may be unable to conceive and decide to seek out IVF treatments. Some of the most common reasons for turning to IVF include:

A previous tubal ligation

A tubal ligation is a sterilization process in which your fallopian tubes are surgically cut, tied, or blocked to permanently prevent natural conception. While tubal ligation reversal is possible, IVF provides a safer and more affordable alternative.

Endometriosis

Endometriosis occurs when tissue similar to the uterus’s lining grows outside the uterus, making it difficult or impossible to conceive naturally. 

Genetic Disorders

If you or your partner have one or more genetic problems that you could pass on to your child, IVF can help prevent that by screening the eggs before they’re fertilized in the lab. 

Low sperm function or production

When sperm abnormalities such as low concentration or impaired movement exist, it can make natural fertilization difficult.  

Beginning your IVF journey can be stressful, but at Effortless IVF, our seasoned experts are here to make the process go smoothly. If you’re ready to begin your IVF journey, contact your nearest office in Fort Worth or Bedford, Texas, and schedule your appointment today.