Infertility
Infertility Centers Information
With close to 10% of U.S. couples experiencing difficulties conceiving, many couples are turning to infertility centers for help. Women under 35 who have been trying to conceive for over a year and women over 35 who have been trying for over six months can consult their physicians about possible fertility difficulties. With in vitro fertilization (IVF) doctors fertilize harvested eggs (either from the patient or a donor) and implant the embryos into the patient.
IVF using Patients own Eggs
Most fertility centers place a cut off of age 45 for women to use their own eggs for IVF. There are five typical stages involved with invitro fertilization.
PHASE ONE: During this phase patients will have their consultation.
PHASE TWO: Patients begin their cycle planning, and learn how to mix and use the fertility medications.
PHASE THREE: Patients begin their injections and receive close monitoring.
PHASE FOUR: Eggs are harvested and 3-5 days later embryos are implanted.
PHASE FIVE: Pregnancy test is run 2 weeks after embryos are implanted.
IVF using Donor Eggs
Healthy women up to age 55 can use egg donation to help with conception. Recipients can look at profiles which include height, weight, hair color, eye color, skin tone, blood type, ethnic and educational background. Once a donor is chosen, infertility centers use medication to place both women (donor and patient) onto similar cycles to help with IVF. Donor eggs are harvested, inseminated, and the embryos are implanted into the patient.
IVF using Donor Sperm
Most donors are between the ages of 18 and 39. The donation is screened for any possible diseases and a profile including blood type is created for women/couples to review. Once a donor is chosen, the patient can opt to reserve additional samples for future offspring.
Two infertility centers (Fairfax, VA and Laguna Hills, CA) offer patients Microsort technology. This procedure, still in the clinical trials phase, sorts sperm before conception to help patients chose the sex of their offspring.
In addition to IVF, most infertility centers offer support groups and counseling to assist women and couples through this difficult time.