In Vitro Fertilization (IVF) Questions and Answers

Question:

(1). What made you want to deliver babies? (2). What is your salary range? (3). Are you happy with your job? (4). Do you get emotional when a baby is born,sick,or dies? (5).How does it make you feel when you have delivered a baby? (6). Do you have any problems with your clients? (7). Are the women very friendly to you? (8). Who or what influenced you to be an obstetrician? (9). Do you get along with all other doctors? (10). If you could've majored in something else in the world, what would that occupation be?

Answer:

Although I am board certified in Obstetrics and gynecology, I am a subspecialist in reproductive endocrinology and infertility and so I do not deliver babies anymore. I do in vitro fertilization. OB/GYN is a gratifying and rewarding speciality. I would encourage you to follow your dream and do what you love. Good luck

Question:

I am a female with a family history of x-linked retinal degeneration. I have a son that inherited some of these problems. The severity of his problem is not yet known since he is only 9. I would like another child but I would need to have a girl to avoid this being inherited. What steps should I take to look into this and is it actually possible to select the gender of a child?

Answer:

There are a couple of way to approach this problem. One of them is to have inseminations with your husbands sperm after it has been processed to increase the number of 'X' bearing sperm (therefore increasing the likelyhood ofhaving a girl). This would be followed by a chorionic villus sampling procedure at about 10-11 weeks to determine the sex. If it is a male, you would have the option of terminating the pregnancy. A second option would be to have in vitro fertilization done with preimplantation genetic diagnosis. In this process, we would create embryos through in vitro fertilization, then do a test on the embryos to determine the sex prior to transfering the embryos. THis would eliminate the possible need for abortion, but is more costly. The second procedure is available only at select centers across the USA (including my own). If you would like more information, call (714)738-4200. Good luck.

Question:

presently I am 42 years old and 8 months. i am a member of Kaiser permanente. My partner is 57 years old and has been on anti-deppresants for ten years. He has a very low sperm count. I have a normal period every 28 days and I am in good health. i have two daughters 13 and 16 and I have been pregnant a total of four times. The first two pregnancies were was when I was 20 and 21 years old, which resulted in a therapeutic abortion. I would very much like to get pregnant, what kind of fertilization methods would you recommend for me and my partner real soon. He had a son when he was 28 years old and would be happy to get involved in some kind of procedure that would result in a birth of a baby.

Answer:

You will need in vitro fertilization if your husband has a low sperm count. The real question is going to be whether your ovaries are functioning well enough to do in vitro with your eggs or whether you will need an egg donor. An FSH and estradiol level on the 3rd day of your next period will let your doctor know how well your ovaries are functioning. See a fertility specialist right away. I would be happy to recommend one in your area.

Question:

What are the procedures for having sperm and eggs extracted in order to have a child?

Answer:

In vitro fertilization consists of the following steps: 1. The pituitary is down regualated (shut off temporarily) with Lupron. Lupron is a shot the patient gives herself. 2. Ovarian stimulation is performed using injections of some form of follicle stimulating hormone (FSH). The brand names for these products are Pergonal, Gonal-f, Humagon, Follistim, Repronex, Fertinex and Metrodin. This medication is also administered via injection frequently given by the husband. 3. Frequent ultrasounds and blood tests are done to monitor the patient's response to stimulation. 4. When the follicles (cyst-like structures in the ovarary that contain the egg) appear mature on ultrasound and the estradiol level is appropriate, a final injection, hCG (Profasi, Pregnyl) is given to release the eggs from the wall of their respective follicles. 5. 34-35 hours after the injection of hCG, the eggs are removed from the follicles. This is done via ultrasound guided transvaginal follicle aspiration. IV sedation is administered. Local anesthetic is injection in the top of the vaginal. A vaginal ultrasound probe with a needle guide attached is place in the vaginal. A needle is then directed into each individual follicle and the follicular fluid is aspirated. This fluid is taken to the lab and the eggs are identified. 6. The eggs are then inseminated with the husbands sperm. The sperm can either be ejactulated or obtained directly from the testicle with a needle. The following morning, fertilization is confirmed. 7. The fertilized eggs (zygotes or pre-embryos) are grown in culture for 3 to 5 days. 8. The embryos are loaded into a catheter which is passed through the cercial opening into the uterine cavity. The embryos are then released into the uterine cavity. 9. Hopefully implantation and pregnancy occur.

Question:

My husband and I are thinking about trying the process of In Vitro Fertilization. My husband has a known chromosome translocation, which is why we need medical assistance. Prior to the history on my Husband, I was pregnant 3 times naturally. My question is, the specialist who wants to perform the in-vitro, wants me to have a hysterosalpingogram. What is this? and, why do I need this procedure? I am a 36 year old white healthy female.

Answer:

It is an x-ray and dye study of the uterus and fallopian tubes and is needed evaluate your uterine cavity prior to treatment. I am concerned that you are proceding with IVF with a husband with a chromosomal disorder. THis can doom any pregnancy that occurs to miscarriage and you can also transmit this translocation to your offspring. Make sure that you have spoken to a genetics specialist prior to beginning treatment.

Question:

I'm 25 yrs. old and when I was 18 yrs. old I had an ectopic pregnancy that burst and I had emergancy surgery to remove my tube. I haven't been able to get pregnant since. What can be preventing me from becoming pregnant? My doctor told me at the time that I should have no problems becoming pregnant again. Any advice will be greatly appreciated. Thank you.

Answer:

It is likely that your remaining fallopian tube is blocked. Ectopic pregnancy usually occurs in tubes damaged by previous infection (chlamydia or gonorrhea). The infection would have occured in both tubes. You should have a hysterosalpingogram (x-ray and dye study of uterus and fallopian tubes) to determine whether your remaining tube is open. If your remaining tube is damaged you will require in vitro fertilization to conceive.

Next Step

• Learn about In Vitro Fertilization (IVF) in the Articles Section
• Ready for a consultation? See qualified Infertility (IVF) doctors in your area

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