In Vitro Fertilization
IVF is a process which involves removing eggs from the body and combining them with sperm in the laboratory and then transferring embryos into the woman's womb/uterus. Reproductive Medicine Associates of Connecticut's IVF Program has been very successful in treating all causes of sub-fertility including:
- Unexplained infertility-When all fertility testing is normal and couples are still not conceiving
- Secondary infertility-when couples have had one child (or children) and are having difficulty having another.
- Endometriosis related infertility-when pelvic inflammation negatively effects the normal process of conception
- PCOS related infertility-when women fail to ovulate regularly
- Tubal Infertility-when the fallopian tubes are damaged or blocked preventing sperm and egg from uniting
- Male Factor infertility-when the sperm count, motility or shape is negatively effecting a couples chance for conception
- Recurrent pregnancy loss related sub-fertility-when conception is happening but the pregnancy ends prematurely in miscarriage
Our IVF Program provides comprehensive care to individuals requiring traditional IVF, as well as ancillary procedures such as intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI), assisted hatching, embryo cryopreservation and embryo biopsy with preimplantation genetic diagnosis.
During the IVF cycle, you will be prescribed several medications to stimulate the development of multiple ovarian follicles that contain eggs capable of fertilization. We closely monitor this process using blood tests and ultrasounds. Mature eggs are retrieved through a simple procedure under ultrasound guidance. We then expose the retrieved eggs to sperm and transfer a limited number of the resulting embryos back into your uterus.
The following treatments are also part of our IVF Program:
Intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI)
ICSI is a procedure that has dramatically improved the treatment of severe male-factor infertility. One common cause of infertility in couples is a low sperm count. With ICSI, a single sperm can be injected into the egg, resulting in a significantly higher likelihood of fertilization. This process is used in conjunction with IVF.
Assisted Hatching
Assisted hatching is another assisted reproductive technique which involves manipulation of the embryo to increase the chance of a successful pregnancy in couples undergoing IVF. In this procedure, a small incision is made in the shell surrounding the embryo just prior to transfer of the embryo into the uterus. This may increase the likelihood that implantation occurs and a successful pregnancy results.
Cryopreservation
Frequently, when a woman's ovaries are stimulated to increase the number of eggs retrieved, many eggs are obtained. When these eggs are fertilized, many embryos may be created. After the appropriate number of embryos are transferred to the uterus, patients have the option of cryopreservation to store any extra embryos for later use.
Preimplantation genetic diagnosis
Preimplantation genetic diagnosis (PGD) is a technique which allows us to identify embryos that carry the gene for certain genetic diseases (such as Tay-Sachs, sickle cell anemia, and cystic fibrosis). For couples with a family history of such inherited disorders, PGD can significantly reduce the risk that the condition will be transmitted to their children. PGD can also be used for patients who suffer from unexplained recurrent pregnancy loss.
Scientific Excellence
Our physicians are all Board Certified in Obstetrics & Gynecology and Reproductive Endocrinology. They are members of the American Society for Reproductive Medicine (ASRM) and the Society for Assisted Reproductive Technology (SART). ASRM is a voluntary, non-profit organization devoted to advancing knowledge and expertise in reproductive medicine and biology. SART is an organization of assisted reproductive technology providers affiliated with ASRM. SART has been collecting data and publishing annual reports of pregnancy success rates for fertility clinics in the U.S. and Canada since 1989.
In addition, RMA of CT is fully accredited by both the Accreditation Association for Ambulatory Health Care (AAAHC), and the American Institute of Ultrasound in Medicine (AIUM).
Our Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility Laboratory meets the highest standards and is certified by the College of American Pathologists (CAP) and the Clinical Laboratory Improvement Act (CLIA) for the State of Connecticut.
