In vitro fertilization (IVF) is the most common and most effective type of assisted reproductive technology (ART) to help women become pregnant.
The procedure involves fertilizing an egg outside the body, in a laboratory dish, and then implanting it in a woman's uterus.
In a normal pregnancy a male sperm penetrates a woman's egg and fertilizes it inside her body after ovulation - when a mature egg has been released from the ovaries. The fertilized egg (now an embryo) then attaches itself to the wall of the uterus (womb) and begins developing into a baby. This is known as natural conception.
In-vitro fertilization is ideal for women who have not been able to become pregnant through regular unprotected intercourse or after 12 cycles of artificial insemination. IVF should be considered as an option if:
- You or your partner have been diagnosed with unexplained infertility
- Other techniques such as the use of fertility drugs or intrauterine insemination (IUI) have been unsuccessful.
- The woman's fallopian tubes are blocked.
Normally, an egg and sperm are fertilized inside a woman's body. If the fertilized egg attaches to the lining of the womb and continues to grow, a baby is born about 9 months later. This process is called natural or unassisted conception.
IVF is a form of assisted reproductive technology (ART). This means special medical techniques are used to help a woman become pregnant. It is most often tried when other, less expensive fertility techniques have failed.