The In Vitro Fertilization ( IVF) Procedure at Beverly Hills' Southern California Reproductive Center
The in vitro fertilization (IVF) procedure brings an egg and sperm together in a glass laboratory dish. The Beverly Hills-based Southern California Reproductive Center has performed thousands of IVF procedures, with great success.
In Vitro Fertilization vs. Surgery for Tubal Infertility
Step by Step Overview of the IVF Treatment Program
In Vitro Fertilization vs. Surgery for Tubal Infertility
In vitro fertilization provides a controlled environment that significantly enhances the opportunity for fertilization of the oocyte, or egg. IVF combines eggs and sperm together in a dish that contains a culture solution that provides nutrients to support the fertilization and development of the egg. "In vitro" is a Latin term that means "in glass." Monitored microscopically, successfully fertilized eggs develop over a three-day period into embryos. Then, our team of embryologists conducts a qualitative assessment of the embryos to determine which embryos will be selected for embryo transfer, cryopreservation, or further culturing and development.
Given significant improvements and advances in surgical infertility treatment techniques and in vitro fertilization (IVF) at the Beverly Hills-based Southern California Reproductive Center, the debate over the optimal treatment of tubal infertility continues. The choice is not an easy one to make, as many factors are involved, including:
- Maternal age
- Surgical skill of the physician
- Expected pregnancy rates (fecundability), and
- Operative risks and recovery
Surgery offers the benefits of the potential for many future pregnancies, and eliminates the risks of increased multiple pregnancy and hyperstimulation reactions associated with IVF medications. IVF offers significantly higher monthly pregnancy rates (fecundability), as well as the possibility of extra embryos that may be cryopreserved for a subsequent pregnancy attempt. The IVF physicians of the Southern California Reproductive Center can fully discuss the merits of each approach within the setting of your case to help you determine the optimal treatment option for you.
back to top
Step-By-Step Overview of the In Vitro Fertilization (IVF) Treatment Program
IVF is an important option in fertility treatment. The fertility specialist physicians at the Southern California Reproductive Center offer the utmost in technical experience and the highest quality of care available in any IVF program. The in vitro fertilization (IVF) procedure at the Beverly Hills, Ventura, Valencia, and Santa Barbara offices of the Southern California Reproductive Center is as follows:
1. Initial Consultations with Your Personal Infertility Specialist
In initial consultations with the personal fertility specialist physician, an extensive medical history of both partners will be established, and all questions, concerns, and issues will be fully addressed. We understand that the in vitro fertilization procedure is sometimes an intimidating issue, and we strive to make sure that you are comfortable and confident about the process before, during, and after your treatment. You can schedule a consultation regarding in vitro fertilization through the Beverly Hills office of the Southern California Reproductive Center at any time.
back to top
2. Clinical Coordinator Consultation
A clinical coordinator is a specially trained staff member who will oversee your IVF journey at the Southern California Reproductive Center. In your first consultation with the clinical coordinator, the details of your desired treatment plan and your diagnosis will be reviewed, and the coordinator will then schedule all the necessary procedures into an overall clinical plan that will best support a successful outcome. Your clinical coordinator is available to answer your questions throughout your IVF treatments.
back to top
3. Financial Consultation
In vitro fertilization procedure plans often involve significant financial commitment. It is important that you are fully aware of the associated costs, financial options, and alternatives that are available. This allows you to match your IVF treatment plan with your overall financial preparedness so that you can feel comfortable with the financial commitment prior to commencing your treatment plan. IVF financing at the Southern California Reproductive Center includes a variety of options to support your overall plan for creating a family.
back to top
4. Pretreatment Preparation
In order to ensure the most positive outcome from your in vitro fertilization procedure at the Southern California Reproductive Center, the preliminary evaluation of both partners is reviewed, and if required, pretreatment procedures and stress reduction measures are undertaken. If indicated, laboratory testing, infectious disease screening, uterine evaluation, and male fertility testing are completed.
back to top
5. Start of Oral Contraceptive Suppression
Two to four weeks after the female partner's testing and diagnosis are completed, she'll begin taking an oral contraceptive (birth control pills) to prepare her ovaries. This integral part of the in vitro fertilization procedure helps to suppress undesired hormone production, and reduces cyst formation before ovary stimulation.
back to top
6. Controlled Ovary Hyperstimulation (COH)
Prior to the start of medication for the stimulation of oocyte (egg) production, a baseline pelvic ultrasound is performed to evaluate the uterus and ovaries in the resting state. The goal of controlled ovary hyperstimulation, or COH, is the production of at least three mature oocytes. COH is achieved through the use of injectable hormonal medications called gonadotropins. During COH, the female partner is monitored closely through a combination of ultrasound and blood testing.
back to top
7. Monitoring Visits
To accurately assess the development of the eggs, a continuing series of ultrasounds and blood tests for hormone levels are conducted. Ultrasound allows your doctor to physically see the development of the oocyte and surrounding cells (i.e., the follicle). Blood tests show how the hormonal function of the follicle is progressing. Collectively, this information enables your IVF team at the Southern California Reproductive Center to follow the development, growth, and maturity of the follicle. This process typically requires from five to seven office visits.
back to top
8. hCG Injection
Before the eggs can be retrieved from the patient, a special medication called hCG (human chorionic gonadotropin) will be administered approximately 36 hours before the actual egg retrieval. hCG acts to stimulate ovulation, which is the completion of one stage in oocyte development, and the release of the oocyte from the surrounding cells (follicle).
back to top
9. Transvaginal Retrieval of Eggs / the IVF Lab
Retrieving the mature eggs from your ovaries is made more comfortable with the care of a certified anesthesiologist who administers a pleasant intravenous anesthetic. A semen specimen is given by your partner or donor, and our IVF lab specialists then perform the actual in vitro fertilization procedure. The Southern California Reproductive Center's IVF lab specialists are some of the most skilled and respected professionals in their field.
back to top
10. IVF Lab Daily Reports
Your in vitro fertilization procedure is followed by the Southern California Reproductive Center fertility specialists (including your doctor and IVF lab specialists) on a daily basis. They conduct daily reviews and discussions of the status of your fertilization and the quality of your developing embryo. They also confer on the events and decisions that will lead up to the transfer of the developed embryo back into your uterus.
back to top
11. Embryo or Blastocyst Transfer
In a meeting with your Southern California Reproductive Center fertility specialists, a presentation of your embryo development will be made, and will include photographs for your records. You and your IVF team will discuss the number of embryos or blastocysts that should be transferred for your optimal chance of a successful pregnancy and the lowest likelihood of high-order multiple births such as triplets. Your questions and concerns concerning embryo and blastocyst transfer are carefully and compassionately dealt with at this meeting, as in all of your contacts with Southern California Reproductive Center physicians and staff.
back to top
12. Pregnancy Test #1
Your first post- IVF pregnancy test following the IVF and embryo/blastocyst transfer will be performed approximately 12 days after the transfer. During this time, you'll be taking a progesterone supplementation to help support the uterine lining. This stage of the in vitro fertilization procedure is an emotional time; we're there with you every step of the way, whether you’re at the Ventura, Valencia, Santa Barbara, or Beverly Hills offices of the Southern California Reproductive Center.
back to top
13. Pregnancy Test #2
When your first pregnancy test is positive, a repeat test is performed within one week to ensure that the pregnancy is progressing. An ultrasound will be scheduled within two to three weeks after a positive pregnancy test.
back to top
Contact the Southern California Reproductive Center about In Vitro Fertilization ( IVF)
If you feel that IVF is the appropriate reproductive option for you, please schedule a consultation regarding the in vitro fertilization procedure at the Beverly Hills, Ventura, Valencia, or Santa Barbara office of the Southern California Reproductive Center. Collectively we have decades of experience in the IVF field. We've helped to bring thousands of babies into the world, from couples just like you.
back to top
