In Vitro Fertilization

In vitro fertilization and embryo transfer (IVF) is the fertilization of an egg outside the body and transfer of the embryo into the uterus to grow for nine months. This process is accomplished by stimulation of the woman's ovaries with medication, monitoring growth of ovarian follicles and removing the egg from each follicle. The egg is fertilized by the man's sperm and allowed to grow (cultured) for three to five days. The embryo is then transferred into the woman's uterus. Patients who may benefit from IVF include those with male factor infertility, endometriosis, ovulatory dysfunction that has not been successfully treated with medications, damaged fallopian tubes, and unexplained infertility.

Patients interested in IVF must first schedule an appointment to see Dr. Michael P. Steinkampf for a consultation to discuss your treatment options. He will also inform you of any tests or procedures that must be performed prior to the start of your IVF cycle. In preparation for an IVF cycle, certain tests are required for all couples to determine whether this is the best treatment option for you, as well as to maximize your likelihood of success. These tests include a semen analysis on the husband, evaluation of ovarian reserve (blood tests on the third day of your menstrual cycle to test for levels of FSH and estradiol), vaginal cultures (for gonorrhea and chlamydia), a Pap smear, a transvaginal ultrasound, and evaluation of the uterine cavity (hysterosalpingogram or sonohysterogram). All pre-treatment evaluation and tests must be completed before beginning medications for your treatment cycle.

After all of your screening tests have been completed, Karen R. Hammond, MSN, CRNP (the IVF Nurse Coordinator) will contact you following to schedule an appointment to meet with you and your husband to discuss your treatment plan and medications. Since our IVF program only accepts patients at certain times, we will need to schedule the approximate time you will be able to begin your treatment in advance.

Dr. Steinkampf may recommend one or more of the following procedures for your IVF cycle in an effort to increase the likelihood of achieving pregnancy. These recommendations are made based upon your particular infertility diagnosis. Additional charges may be incurred. For more information, you may click on the following options:

Assisted Hatching (AH)
Intracytoplasmic Sperm Injection (ICSI)
Blastocyst Stage Embryo Transfer
Embryo Co-culture
Pre-implantation Genetic Diagnosis (PGD)