- In vitro fertilization is a procedure couples often use when they can't conceive a child on their own. To prepare for the procedure, a woman goes through about two weeks of intense preparation. Fertility drugs are given so that healthy mature eggs can be retrieved. Ultrasounds and blood tests are preformed during these two weeks to monitor the perfect time to retrieve the eggs. Eggs are retrieved right before ovulation. When the eggs are mature and ready to harvest, a woman undergoes a procedure under light anesthesia. A needle is placed into the vaginal wall while ultrasound provides a way to guide the needle into the ovary to retrieve the eggs. The procedure causes discomfort and mild cramping after. Once the eggs are retrieved, they are placed in a dish and examined by an embryologist. The embryologist puts the sperm with the egg. When the cells have divided two to three times, they may then be implanted into the uterus by a special catheter. Sometimes this fertility treatment is a success and often results in multiple births. Sometimes the embryo's do not take, leaving a couple upset and heart broken.
- Couples who have tried to conceive on their own and through in vitro fertilization look to surrogate mothers to carry a child for them. In order for the surrogate to become pregnant, eggs from the biological mom are retrieved and mixed with the sperm from the biological dad. Once cell division has occurred, the egg or eggs are implanted into the surrogate mom who carries the baby for the biological parents. After being born, the baby is given to the biological parents.
- Artificial insemination is another route to go when husbands or partners are not producing enough sperm. Fertility drugs are given to the woman two weeks before her monthly cycle. Fertility drugs stimulate the ovaries to produce mature eggs. Once the treatment begins, ovulation kits and charts are used to determine when ovulation is occurring. Once a woman begins ovulating, her partner gives a sperm sample to the fertility specialist. The sperm goes through a process of washing, grouping the healthy productive sperm into a fluid. When the time is right during ovulation, the sperm is then injected into the uterus through a catheter that enters the cervix. Artificial insemination takes less than an hour. Once the sperm is released into the uterus, women remain lying on their backs for about an hour to give the sperm a chance to work. Artificial insemination doesn't always work the first time. Often, couples go through repeated cycles before pregnancy occurs.
