IVF is Art Form Combination of Skills and Science
Today patients use the same medications; most of ART laboratory equipment and culture medias are obtained from the same sources. Surprisingly however, with all these similarities the IVF results are not uniformly the same. Explanation for those differences is simple; IVF is an art form combination of skills and science. Master paintings are unique although all of them were created with tools available to other less talented artists. MRM creates superior work and IVF baby is a very special gift for all patients and their families who underwent difficult journey to become parents
IVF is Most Successful Treatment for ALL Infertility
Originally designated to treat tubal disease, In-vitro became the number one therapy regardless of what is causing the couple’s infertility. Older patients should consider foregoing conventional therapy (including Inseminations) as they benefit more from having IVF as their primary therapy
IVF Baby is ‘Conceived in the Laboratory Test Tube’
where women’s egg is fertilized with man sperm. Fertilized eggs are placed in the incubator and kept there under optimal conditions. Fertilized eggs progress into multi- cell embryos and some embryos are placed (transferred) in the women’s womb (uterus). After transfer, best embryos attach to the uterine wall and complete implantation process forming pregnancy. Early placental tissue begins to produce pregnancy hormone (HCG) easily detected by patient’s pregnancy test. Positive pregnancy test validates successful treatment. Key elements in every IVF cycle are ovarian stimulation with fertility medications, eggs (oocytes) retrieval and fertilization, followed by embryo transfer:
Injections for Egg Production
IVF patient takes injectable medications as Gonal F, Follistim, and Menopur to produce eggs. Treatment progress is monitored with sonograms and blood tests during frequent office visits. Ovarian stimulation is completed with final injection of HCG (Profasi, Ovidrel) given 32- 36 hours before egg retrieval. Rare complication caused by stimulation is hyperstimulation syndrome, caused by patient’s overreaction to infertility injectable medications
Egg Retrieval for In-vitro Fertilization
Oocyte retrieval is a minor surgical procedure performed under anesthesia or sedation given by our Board- Certified Anesthesiologist. In the Embryology Lab, retrieved eggs are inseminated with partner sperm or a single sperm is injected into the egg (ICSI procedure). Fertilization occurs in the laboratory in a dish containing reach media to support and nourish growing embryos. Within three to five days after fertilization, embryos with highest implantation potential are transferred into the women’s uterus
Blastocyst Transfer for Best Results
Embryo can be placed into the womb as early as two days and as late as five days after egg retrieval. On Day 5 best embryos are in blastocyst stage of development. Blastocyst transfer combined with assisted hatching for older patients, gives embryos best chances to attach to the uterus (implantation) and pregnancy
Lower quality embryos
Lower quality embryos with lower chances for advanced development may benefit from early (cleavage stage) transfer to the uterus. SART, the US data-collecting agency, advocates Single (one) Embryo Transfer (SET) to eliminate multiple pregnancies. Embryo biopsy, and additional step in the IVF cycle (removal a small piece from the embryo) for genetic screening is performed by some IVF laboratories before SET embryo transfer to the patient. Embryo biopsy, that risks tissue damage and screening testing are not mandated by SART
Laser Equipment
Our cutting-edge Laser Equipment attached to high power microscope increases precision of IVF micromanipulation techniques. Laser practically eliminates tissue damage impossible to avoid with standard techniques. We use Laser to benefit IVF processes such as ICSI, assisted hatching and embryo biopsy for genetic testing (See our video)
Our Pregnancy Rates
Women age 35 – 40 with many of them with failed previous IVF, are majority of our patients. Our pregnancy rates for patients over 35 using own eggs are one of the highest IVF rates in the New York area. Hard work produces great results for our patients
IVF Pregnancy and IVF Babies
including progesterone (oral capsules, vaginal inserts and injections) doctors routinely prescribe for IVF pregnancy. After successfully completed pregnancy 10th week, patient’s obstetrician will take over care of our pregnant patient. Majority collected data reassure that IVF techniques do not cause birth defects and IVF babies, including twins, are born healthy although more often prematurely. IVF pregnancy is considered High Risk with additional surveillance needed for the very best outcome. Medical conditions present before treatment and other health issues may complicate IVF pregnancy; advanced maternal age, hypertension, elevated blood sugars or previous surgeries have a negative effect on normal placenta function and fetal growth increasing risk for late miscarriages and premature delivery