In Vitro Fertilization

In Vitro Fertilization (IVF) is a fertility treatment procedure where
fertilization (where the sperm meets the egg) takes place outside the body
("in vitro"). As IVF requires retrieval of eggs from the woman's ovaries,
in order to maximize the number of eggs retrieved a woman will undergo
ovarian stimulation through the use of fertility medications. A woman
usually has to undergo at least two weeks of "shots", and through it all is
monitored by both vaginal ultrasound and bloodwork.

Here are several sites with more information on IVF:

Discovery Health:
Fertility and Infertility series

InterNational Council
on Infertility Information Dissemination (INCIID):
Excellent site with fact sheets, ASRM article summaries, bulletin boards,
and chat

IVF Connections:
Includes Q&A, bulletin boards, and IVF in Canada information
IVF Hints:
A FAQ compiled by Rachel Brown
Reading Between the Lines:
Boca Fertility's excellent advice on the hazards
of comparing IVF clinics' statistics

Momma Kath
I found a great site that I thought you might want to post
on your site:
The Fertility Foundation
They offer people a chance to fill out an application
to receive financial aid for IVF proceedures.
There are some conditions though.
You have to be under the care of a RE for at least the last year.
You have to be experiencing primary infertility, not secondary.
This has to be your first child. Other than that, the site is great.
They list donors, affiliated docs, etc.
Thanks, Karen

Just wanted to say that the
IVF discussion board is a great idea!!
I am a fellow IVFer
and conceived in late June of this year.
If I can offer any of the women
going through IVF with some hope, suggestions,
a shoulder to cry on, etc. let me know!!
I certainly can relate :o)

Connie

Date: Mon, 21 Aug 2000 17:07:28 +0200

Hi!
First I want to thank you for this site. It is giving me as much as I
can ask to overcome the TTC journey.
I did 2 IUIs. The first one was unsuccessful,
the 2nd one was 4 days ago but there is not much hope
from it because the numbers were VERY BAD.
We are dealing with severe male factor due to a vericocele.
The RE said that if this IUI is unsuccessful and the sperm
is not good again, then we would be facing either IVF of surgery
for the vericocele (or both). I tend to start with IVF
because I am almost 31 and with surgery the chances of
complete recovery are 60% and we will only know if
it was successful after 6 months at least.
DH doesn't want to rush into surgery, so right now our
best chance is IVF.
So count me in the list!
Raquel

Thanks so much for your wonderful story.
I am 35, have stage II Endometriosis,
and have been trying to conceive for three years.
I have done clomid with IUI and one round of injectibles.
The recommendation is now to move onto IVF right away.
It will cost us around $8,000, even though the drugs are covered.
My husband has beens supportive, but is hesitant to spend the money
on "a coin toss," although I'm sure he will come through in the end.
I told him if it doesn't work, it's not like we'll have
to fund anyone's college education!

As this procedure will probably be coming up in October or November,
I am turning to the TTC site for both guidance and inspiration.
Letters like yours have given me both.
I am seriously considering returning to church
for further support. It certainly can't hurt.

I am very happy that IVF worked for you!

Pam