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In Vitro Fertilization (IVF)
In Vitro Fertilization (IVF) at Brown Fertility Associates in Jacksonville, FL
What is in vitro fertilization (IVF)?
Who is a good candidate for IVF?
What If male factor infertility is involved?
What are my chances for success with IVF?
What is minimal stimulation IVF?
What is the IVF Shared Success Program™?
What is in vitro fertilization (IVF)?
In vitro fertilization (IVF) is the most common form of assisted reproductive technology (ART) by which a woman’s eggs are extracted from her ovaries, united with semen from a partner or donor, and the resulting embryos are transferred to the uterus for implantation (pregnancy). There are five steps involved in the completion of one IVF cycle:
1. Ovulation Induction: Medications are used to help stimulate the release of mature eggs (oocytes) to follicles in the ovary.
2. Retrieval: Once the ovaries have produced mature follicles, an in-office retrieval procedure is performed under light anesthesia to remove the eggs by way of an ultrasound guided needle. The follicles, which house the eggs and surrounding fluid, are aspirated into a tube that is given to the embryology lab for fertilization. The embryologist assesses the eggs for maturity and incubates them.
Minimal risks are associated with the procedure itself but post-operative cramping is common. Recovery time is generally short – one to one and a half hours.
3. Sperm Collection/Preparation: If fresh sperm is used, the male partner is asked to provide a semen sample. Donor sperm may also be used through prior arrangement. The specimen is washed to isolate the more motile sperm.
4. Embryos Culture: The resulting sperm specimen is then placed into the dish containing the eggs along with a special growth media containing nutrients that allow them to live outside the body. Once the egg is fertilized by the sperm, it becomes an embryo which grows and divides in the lab for two to five days.
5. Transfer: The embryos are assessed for quality and the most viable are selected for transfer to the uterus. The transfer will seem very similar to a pap smear for the woman. There is no pain involved and no sedatives are required.
The number of embryos transferred depends on your age, medical condition and the quality of the embryos. Transferring fewer embryos reduces the risk of high order multiple pregnancy (triplets or more). However, Dr. Brown will consult with each patient individually to decide together the appropriate number of embryos used in transfer.
Dr. Brown provides the level of personalized care that is ideal when pursuing such customized treatments as in vitro fertilization (IVF). Call Brown Fertility Associates today at 904-260-0352 to begin IVF in Jacksonville, FL.
Who is a good candidate for IVF?
Some of the most common indications for in vitro fertilization (IVF) include:
· Tubal issues: The fallopian tubes are blocked or damaged, making it difficult to fertilize an egg or for an embryo to travel to the uterus.
· Ovarian issues: Ovarian disorders can prevent the release or production of eggs. Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS) is one of the most common causes of ovulation disorders in women of reproductive age.
· Uterus issues: An abnormal uterus shape or fibroid tumors can make it difficult for an embryo to implant and thus achieve a pregnancy.
· Endometriosis: Severe endometriosis can affect both the fertilization of an egg and implantation of the embryo in the uterus.
· Unexplained infertility
· Male factors: A low sperm count or issues with sperm function or motility can prevent sperm from fertilizing an egg on its own.
Dr. Brown has managed more than 4,000 IVF cycles and has ample experience treating all medical indications for in vitro fertilization (IVF). Contact Brown Fertility Associates today at 904-260-0352 to schedule an appointment with one of Jacksonville, Florida’s most experienced infertility doctors.
What If male factor infertility is involved?
For those couples who suffer from severe male factor infertility, intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) is a micromanipulation procedure used in conjunction with IVF to increase the chances of fertilization. Instead of placing an egg and sperm in a petri dish to fertilize naturally, an embryologist draws a single sperm from a provided specimen up in a needle and then injects it directly into the center of an egg.
Dr. Samuel E. Brown has specific experience in male factor infertility and is available now for new patient consults in Jacksonville, Florida. Call Brown Fertility Associates today at 904-260-0352.
What are my chances for success with IVF?
The average couple who is of reproductive age has a 20 percent chance in any given month of achieving a pregnancy and carrying it to term. The average live delivery rate nationally for IVF in 2005 was 31.6 percent per retrieval. Brown Fertility Associates consistently achieves pregnancy rates that are above the national average.
To begin making your dreams of parenthood a reality, contact Brown Fertility Associates today at 904-260-0352 to schedule a consult with Dr. Samuel E. Brown – one of Jacksonville, Florida’s top infertility doctors.
What is minimal stimulation IVF?
Minimal Stimulation IVF involves the same approach and procedures as traditional IVF, but with fewer drugs and injections. For those women who are considered good candidates, minimal stimulation IVF is an ideal way to make IVF a more affordable treatment option.
Contact Brown Fertility Associates today at 904-260-0352 in Jacksonville, FL and schedule a consult with Dr. Samuel E. Brown to see if you qualify for the cost-saving benefits of minimal stimulation IVF.
Costs for IVF vary depend upon your specific treatment plan. Brown Fertility Associates offers competitive pricing for IVF starting at $7,500.
To receive a custom estimate, please contact Brown Fertility Associates today at 904-260-0352 to schedule a new patient consultation where Dr. Brown will review in detail the specific costs involved in IVF.
What is the IVF Shared Success Program™?
Brown Fertility Associates is dedicated to making IVF financially feasible for as many couples as possible. One option, exclusively offered by Brown Fertility Associates, is the IVF Shared Success Program™. Those who qualify receive a discounted package price for multiple IVF cycles that includes a refund guarantee if unsuccessful. The IVF Shared Success Program™ is the only plan of its kind in the Jacksonville area that measures success the same way you do – a live birth. Should you not experience success after 3 fresh and unlimited frozen attempts, 70 percent of your program costs will be refunded. For those who require IVF with donor eggs, additional costs will be incurred, but 100 percent of program costs will be refunded if the treatments are unsuccessful.
To learn more about the IVF Shared Success Program™, including costs, please contact Brown Fertility Associates in Jacksonville, Florida today at 904-260-0352.