In Vitro Fertilization - Embryo Transfer (IVF-ET)

The In Vitro Fertilization program at University Fertility Associates (UFA) is second to none in the Tampa Bay area. Affiliated with the University of South Florida, our program is state of the art.

All aspects of IVF are represented. Including: Intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI), Donor eggs, Assisted hatching, Day five blastocyst embryo transfers and much more. UFA's pregnancy rates are also excellent ranging between 40 to 45%. Our skilled, professional, and personable staff will guide you step by step through the IVF process.

IVF-ET is probably the most well known of the "Assisted Reproductive Technologies". It is otherwise known as "test tube baby", and has helped infertile couples conceive and bear children for over two decades. These days, fertilization actually occurs in a dish, and not a test tube. It was originally developed to help couples overcome tubal factor infertility, but has become useful in treating other factors, such as immunological problems, unexplained infertility, and male factor infertility.

IVF is basically a four step process. First, you take medications to make multiple follicles begin to develop on your ovaries. This step is referred to as ovarian stimulation, or superovulation. Step two involves monitoring follicular growth by ultrasound, to determine egg growth and uterine lining development. When it is determined that the follicles and the uterine lining are appropriately mature, a trigger shot of Human Chorionic Gonadotropin is then administered.

36 hours after the trigger shot, the third step begins with retrieval of the eggs by ultrasound-guided-needle aspiration, an in-office procedure. A sperm specimen is then washed and prepared for insemination. The washed sperm is then placed in a dish with the eggs, and they are placed in an incubator for 18 hours. After 18 hours, the embryos are observed for normal fertilization,  under a microscope, where the pronucleus of egg and sperm can be seen. The embryos are then incubated for further development into multi-cell embryos.

The fourth and final step involves transferring the embryos into the uterine cavity via a tube inserted through the cervix. The number returned varies with the desires of the patient, under the guidelines of age categories; under 35 years old, up to three embryos; 35 years and older, up to four embryos. Additional embryos may be frozen and stored for future use.

Our goal is nothing short of perfection. We understand you have placed your future family in our hands... you won't be disappointed. Please contact us for more information.