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PAMF In Vitro Fertilization

If other fertility treatments haven’t worked, you may feel discouraged about the possibility of starting a family. But in vitro fertilization (IVF), an advanced fertility treatment, has helped many couples get pregnant when other fertility treatments have failed.

IVF Process close up

Ready to Know More?

Request information, connect with a fertility specialist or call (800) 597-2234 to book an appointment.

Expert Fertility Treatment

In vitro fertilization, or IVF, is a specialized procedure to help you get pregnant when other fertility treatments are unsuccessful or unavailable. You may want to consider IVF if you're dealing with:

  • Failed standard infertility treatment.
  • Prolonged infertility (more than three years).
  • Severely damaged or absent fallopian tubes.
  • Male factor infertility (low sperm count or low motility).
  • Endometriosis (severe or failed prior treatment).
  • Unexplained infertility.
  • Cervical factor infertility.

IVF involves collecting eggs from the ovaries, fertilizing eggs in the laboratory with partner or donor sperm and then placing developing embryos into the uterus.

Step 1: Induction of Multiple Ovulations (Eggs)

To increase IVF effectiveness, you’ll receive medications to stimulate production of multiple eggs and to inhibit the release of those eggs, a process called ovulation induction. Drugs called GnRH agonists suppress your body’s own hormonal response so that we can directly control the ovarian production of eggs. Other drugs, called human gonadotropins, induce multiple eggs’ development and maturity. Your doctor will administer these drugs (oral or injections) in a set sequence. You may also learn to inject some medications yourself at home. You’ll continue these medications until it is time to induce ovulation.

Step 2: Egg Retrieval

When your doctor verifies two or more mature, preovulatory follicles, you will be scheduled for egg retrieval 32 to 35 hours after you’ve received the hCG injection. Using ultrasound to guide the procedure, your doctor will pass a needle either through the vagina or abdominal wall into the follicles to collect the eggs. This technique takes 20 to 30 minutes under a light anesthesia, with very little discomfort. 

Potential risks do exist; the most common risks include bleeding, either at the puncture site or from the ovaries, infection or failure to obtain eggs. If bleeding from the ovaries persists, an extremely rare event, an operative procedure may be necessary.

Step 3: Sperm Preparation

On egg collection day, you’ll also need a semen sample. Abstinence for 48 hours is required prior to collection. In some situations, your doctor may also ask for a sperm sample prior to the IVF cycle to freeze as a backup in case there’s some problem on egg collection day. Lab technicians will process the sperm sample using specialized techniques to collect the most motile (active) sperm.

Step 4: Egg Fertilization

Retrieved eggs undergo examination by a gamete biologist for maturity and viability. We then place the eggs into a special incubation fluid to complete the final steps of development necessary for fertilization. At a specific time, the specially processed sperm are added to the eggs. 

Step 5: Embryonic Growth in the Lab

Approximately 24 hours after retrieval, a gamete biologist performs a fertilization check on the egg(s). If one or more are fertilized, the pre-embryo(s), also called zygotes, are checked at different times to determine adequate growth and development. Typically, embryo(s) grow in the lab for three to five days after egg collection. All aspects of the embryo growth are carefully monitored and controlled.

Step 6: Transfer of Embryos into the Uterus

Once normal growth and development occurs, embryo(s) go back into the uterus, typically three or five days after the egg retrieval. Using abdominal ultrasound to monitor the process, your doctor transfers the embryos through a very fine catheter passed through the cervix and into the uterus. No anesthesia is required. Afterwards, you may resume routine activities, but we recommend no strenuous or impact activity for 14 days.

Helpful Resources

Happy couple in discussion with doctor

Fertility Support Services

Going through fertility treatments can be a stressful experience. Sutter fertility clinics offer a wide range of programs to help, from mindfulness-based stress reduction classes to support groups.

Health and Wellness

How to Cope with Infertility Treatment

Cope with Infertility Stress

Infertility causes major stress for both partners, but mindfulness can help you handle the challenges and reclaim your life.

Cope with Infertility Stress

Patient Stories

Long Miles of Hope and Grief

Erica Cox shares her five-year journey to motherhood with the support and guidance from Dr. Abusief and the entire PAMF Fertility team.

View All Stories

Doctors at Palo Alto Medical Foundation

The following doctors are part of the Sutter Health network. Learn about the doctors on this site.
Mary Abusief, M.D., FACOG

Mary Abusief, M.D., FACOG

  • Reproductive Endocrinology

  • Infertility

Alexis (Alex) Kim, M.D., FACOG

Alexis (Alex) Kim, M.D., FACOG

  • Reproductive Endocrinology

  • Infertility

Sanaz Keyhan, M.D., FACOG

Sanaz Keyhan, M.D., FACOG

  • Infertility

  • Reproductive Endocrinology

Anthony Dobson, M.D., Ph.D., FACOG

Anthony Dobson, M.D., Ph.D., FACOG

  • Infertility

  • Reproductive Endocrinology

M. Max Ezzati, M.D., FACOG

M. Max Ezzati, M.D., FACOG

  • Infertility

  • Reproductive Endocrinology

View All Related Doctors

Services Near You

Surgery Center San Jose

Surgery Center San Jose

2581 Samaritan Drive

Suite 308

San Jose, CA 95124

(408) 355-1700

East Palo Alto Care Center

East Palo Alto Care Center

1950 University Avenue

East Palo Alto, CA 94303

San Jose Center

San Jose Center

2581 Samaritan Drive

San Jose, CA 95124

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