Miami, Miramar, and Ft. Lauderdale, Florida IVF — In Vitro Fertilization at Palmetto Fertility Center

In vitro fertilization, or IVF, was first performed in 1978, and it has become the standard for treating many fertility disorders. At Palmetto Fertility Center, serving Miami, Ft. Lauderdale, and other cities in South Florida and the Caribbean, in vitro fertilization (IVF) has helped many happy couples start families, as reflected in our IVF success rates.

In the IVF procedure, a woman is given fertility medications to stimulate the development of multiple eggs. The eggs are retrieved in a procedure performed in our office and cultured in vitro (in the laboratory) with sperm, creating embryos. Usually, three to four embryos are placed back into the woman's womb three days later; pregnancy will result if they attach and develop.

• The In Vitro Fertilization Cycle in Detail
• IVF Success Rates

The In Vitro Fertilization Cycle in Detail

A typical cycle of in vitro fertilization (IVF) consists of several phases, including the suppression phase, the stimulation phase, the egg retrieval, the embryo transfer, and the follow-up phase. Palmetto Fertility Center, with offices in Miami and Miramar (Fort Lauderdale area), Florida, performs every step of in vitro fertilization (IVF) for patients hoping to conceive.

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The Suppression Phase

The suppression phase of in vitro fertilization (IVF) begins the month before the scheduled egg retrieval. Our doctor, Dr. Michael Graubert, will spend this month "suppressing" the patient's ovaries to prepare them for the stimulating medication that will begin the following month. The ovaries are suppressed using oral contraceptives and a medication called Lupron Depot®.

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The Stimulation Phase and Fertility Drugs

A woman typically makes one mature oocyte, or egg, during each monthly menstrual cycle. To optimize the potential for pregnancy during the process of in vitro fertilization (IVF), it is important to have more than one mature egg available for fertilization.

Our staff can stimulate the production of multiple eggs using injectable fertility medications which contain human follicle stimulating hormone (FSH), a natural hormone which induces the development of multiple eggs. These medications are taken once or twice a day and are administrated for 10-12 days.

To learn more about using fertility medications to induce the development of multiple eggs, please watch this video.

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Monitoring and the Stimulation Phase

To limit potential side effects, the use of powerful fertility drugs requires careful monitoring with ultrasound and blood tests. Ultrasound allows us to obtain an accurate picture of how many eggs are developing. Blood tests to monitor estradiol (a hormone) levels also allow us to monitor the development of the eggs.

Once a patient's follicles have reached optimum size, a midcycle hormonal surge is essential to prepare the egg for fertilization. This mimics a natural LH surge and is accomplished with the use of an intramuscular injection of hCG (human chorionic gonadotropin). Retrieval of the eggs occurs approximately 36 hours later.

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Egg Retrieval

Egg retrieval is done in a dedicated procedure room within our Miami fertility center. Guided by ultrasound, a small needle is advanced through the upper portion of the vagina into the follicles of the ovary. There is no incision. The fluid is aspirated and immediately taken to the laboratory, where the egg is identified. The procedure is done under deep intravenous sedation to prevent any pain or discomfort during the procedure.

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Insemination of the Eggs

Shortly after retrieval, prepared sperm is placed into a highly specialized culture solution with the egg. If ICSI is being performed, the injection of the sperm takes place at this time. The eggs are placed in a controlled environment and observed periodically over the next 18-20 hours to determine if in vitro fertilization has occurred.

The eggs that have fertilized are then considered embryos. These embryos are transferred to a different culture media and monitored closely over the next two to six days. The specific next steps will be highly dependent on the needs of the individual couple. The healthy embryos are then transferred to the patient's uterus or cryopreserved (frozen) for future use.

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Embryo Transfer

If standard IVF is taking place, the embryos will be returned to the uterus three days after fertilization; if blastocyst transfer is taking place, transfer will occur five or six days later. A small, highly specialized plastic catheter will be passed through the cervix into the endometrial cavity. No sedation is needed for this procedure. The patient may resume most normal activities after half an hour of rest.

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After Embryo Transfer

For the next 10-12 days, progesterone supplementation will be given to help the developing embryos implant. The pregnancy test is done 14 days after the egg retrieval.

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Our Miramar and Miami Fertility Clinics' IVF Success Rates

View Palmetto Fertility Center's IVF Success rates (PDF format)

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In Vitro Fertilization at Palmetto Fertility Center

The Palmetto Fertility Center offers patients in Miami, Ft. Lauderdale, and the Caribbean in vitro fertilization (IVF) treatment. If you and your partner are having difficulties conceiving a child, in vitro fertilization may be the answer. To learn more about the source of your trouble conceiving and treatments that can help you expand your family, please contact Palmetto Fertility Center today.

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