What should you expect if you are planning to do IVF? Here at MCRM Fertility, we strive to customize our services to the needs of each patient and clearly explain the steps of the evaluation and recommended treatment. Understanding each step can help you feel more confident about the treatment.
In vitro fertilization (IVF) is the fertility treatment yielding the highest live birth rate. It is a multi-step process which involves the fertilization of eggs (either your own or donor) with sperm (either your partner’s or donor) outside of the body in a laboratory. An embryo is then transferred to either the intended parent or gestational carrier via an embryo transfer.
Initial Steps
The first step is to schedule an appointment for a discussion with a fertility specialist to discuss your unique circumstances, medical history, and recommended testing. You can either call to schedule a consultation with one of our fertility providers or request one via our website.
To help our fertility specialists prepare for your initial visit, please complete your patient portal evaluation (including your health history) at least three days before your scheduled appointment. it is also good to have any relevant medical records and testing sent to MCRM Fertility so they may be reviewed in advance of your appointment.
At your initial visit, you will meet with your fertility specialist who will review your medical and fertility history. They will make recommendations on next steps which may include further diagnostic evaluation for both you and your partner. You will also meet with a financial counselor who will review your insurance and discuss potential costs associated with future care.
The important step of obtaining detailed diagnostics allows our fertility specialists to develop an individualized treatment plan. Once this step has been completed, you’ll visit with your specialist a second time. Once they have gone over your test results, they will discuss your treatment options. Once your treatment plan tailored to you is outlined, you’ll meet with the financial counselor to discuss the associated costs.
Multi-Step Process for IVF Treatment
Evaluation Process:
- Initial Visit
- Diagnostic Testing
- Follow-up Visit: Review of test results and provide recommendations for treatment
IVF involves several steps . These can include:
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- Ovarian stimulation
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- Monitoring with ultrasound and bloodwork
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- Egg retrieval
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- Sperm selection
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- Fertilization of eggs (with intracytoplasmic sperm injection-ICSI)
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- Embryo culture
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- Assisted hatching of embryo
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- Preimplantation Genetic testing
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- Embryo Transfer (either Fresh or Frozen)
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- Embryo Freezing
Your fertility specialist will discuss which steps will be performed for your treatment.
Feeling at Ease
From your first phone call, the team at MCRM Fertility strives to make you feel comfortable, educated, and informed. We encourage you to ask questions. We understand that fertility treatments can be stressful, which is why you will receive kindness and empathy from every team member. Interacting with our team will leave you confident about your decision to trust MCRM Fertility with your fertility care.
If you have questions, we are happy to take the time to discuss them with you until you get the answers you need. Once you arrive, our medical assistants will greet you and take you to your fertility specialist’s office for your appointment.
Once you have completed your tests, our IVF specialist will sit down with you and discuss the results and your options. You aren’t obligated to move forward with any treatment. You can decide to wait, choose not to go forward at all, or schedule your next appointment. The choice is up to you. We understand that this is a personal journey that looks different for everyone. You may need some time to process the information you receive.
If you are considering IVF treatment to move your fertility forward, you can schedule an appointment with MCRM Fertility. Contact us at our St. Louis or Tulsa clinic to set up your consultation and determine the next steps.