In Vitro Fertilization (IVF)

Before you begin IVF, you will be asked to take several tests. This information will be used to guide your treatment process and ensure that your hormone levels are normal and your ovaries are producing eggs. Tests may include blood tests, ultrasounds, urine tests or others, depending on your situation.

A saline infusion sonogram (SIS) and mock transfer will also be performed. SIS allows your doctor to examine your uterus and check for polyps or fibroids that could affect your IVF treatment. The mock transfer is like a trial run before your actual embryo transfer. This step helps your doctor collect important details about your uterus to maximize your chances of implantation.

Once testing is complete, you will be given medications to help stimulate the ovaries to produce eggs that can be used for insemination. This often includes oral medications and injectable drugs, which are administered in the clinic. Your care team will monitor you frequently during this time, sometimes daily, so be prepared to have flexibility in your schedule.

When your follicles have reached maturity, you will receive an injection to help the eggs release from the follicle wall, making them easier to retrieve. Your egg retrieval procedure will be scheduled shortly after this injection.

Egg retrieval, or follicle aspiration, is usually a 2-3 hour appointment, although the actual procedure takes only about 10-30 minutes. You will receive pain medications and a local anesthetic for enhanced comfort. You may also receive a prescription for antibiotics to reduce the risk of infection.

During the procedure, your physician will use ultrasound technology to carefully locate fluid-filled sacs containing your eggs. A thin needle is used to remove the fluid in a safe, precise manner. This fluid is then examined to determine the number of eggs that were retrieved.

Once your eggs are collected, they are ready for fertilization. A sperm sample will need to be collected beforehand, either from your partner or a donor. The sperm and egg are then introduced in a lab and monitored. In some cases, a single sperm is directly injected into the egg – called intracytoplasmic sperm injection – if sperm are defective and hindering fertilization.

Once the embryos have been cultured in a lab (typically 5-6 days), they are ready to be transferred to your uterus. Embryos can also be frozen and saved for a later date, depending on your needs. Only the healthiest embryos are selected for transfer and implantation. This ensures the best chances for a successful pregnancy. Preimplantation genetic testing is also available to screen for certain genetic conditions.

Transferring the embryo is the final step in the IVF process. The procedure involves placing a catheter through the vagina to the uterus. This is normally a simple process that can be done without anesthetic, but medication can be used to help relax the muscles. The embryos are then guided through the vagina through the cervix and to the uterus, where they are delicately and meticulously placed to ensure the best outcome. After your procedure, you are free to go home. Most people take the day off to rest and relax.

You will be asked to come in for a blood test 2 weeks after your embryo transfer. This will determine if the treatment was successful and pregnancy was achieved.

If you are pregnant, your fertility team will continue to care for you for the next 8-10 weeks, or until they determine it is safe for you to transfer to an obstetrician. If your IVF cycle is unsuccessful, you can either wait to try again or begin a new cycle almost immediately.

The University of Kansas Health System is a destination hospital for those seeking IVF treatment. As the region's largest practice, we treat patients who visit us from Overland Park, Kansas City and beyond. We help more couples throughout the Midwest than any other hospital in the area.

Our embryology laboratory is among only 3 in the nation to be a certified center of excellence as recognized by the American Society for Reproductive Medicine.

Our health system features a team of clinical embryologists and dedicated reproductive endocrinologists/infertility experts who specialize in IVF treatment. Additionally, our team of genetic counselors offers comprehensive genetic testing to better improve your chances of conception and a successful pregnancy.

The University of Kansas Health System combines leading-edge technology and personalized care to provide patients with exceptional success rates. We are proud to publicly report data to the Society for Assisted Reproductive Technology.

We are a regional referral center for those seeking Snowflakes embryo adoption – a method of IVF that allows you to adopt unused embryos from another IVF couple.