In-Vitro Fertilization (or "IVF")
is safe, time-proven assisted reproductive treatment with a very high success
rate.
A physician begins the procedure by
encouraging the production of eggs using hormone therapy. The eggs are then
non-surgically removed from the woman’s body and combined with sperm in the
laboratory.
After the egg is fertilized and
becomes an embryo, it’s physically transferred back into the uterus to
develop naturally.
Intra-Cytoplasmic Sperm Injection
(or "ICSI" – pronounced “IK-see”) is recommended when the
quality of a man’s sperm is poor.
After some special laboratory
processing techniques, a healthy sperm is located. Using micromanipulation
techniques, this single sperm is injected directly into the egg using an
incredibly fine glass needle.
Once the egg is fertilized and
becomes an embryo, it’s physically transferred back into the uterus to
develop naturally (exactly like the last part of the IVF procedure).
In order for a fertilized egg to
naturally implant itself into the uterus, the egg must “hatch”.
Any problems with “hatching”
can lead to difficulties having a baby. By artificially assisting this
hatching process, pregnancy rates following IVF may be greatly improved.
Technically, IVF is first
performed. After the egg is fertilized, a gap in the egg’s outer membrane is
created. The embryo is then physically transferred back into the uterus where
this gap should increase the chances for implantation, and a successful
pregnancy.
A “blastocyst” is a fertilized
egg in its very early stages.
Blastocyst transfers usually take
place after several embryos are cultured for 5 days. The embryologist can then
examine these blasts, and choose the one that seems the healthiest.
By selecting the “most qualified”
blast, the chance for a successful pregnancy is greatly increased. And since
only one embryo is physically transferred back into the uterus, the chance for
multiple gestations is also eliminated.
Embryo freezing, technically called
"cryopreservation", is recommended as a way to save and store
surplus embryos after transfer. Embryo can be cryopreserved 1, 3 or 6 days
post egg collection. Cryopreservation procedure involves controlled freezing
to -1960C and storing the frozen embryo at that extremely low
temperature.
These frozen embryos can then be
thawed at some time in the future and used to achieve pregnancy with a Frozen
Embryo Transfer procedure (or "FET").
In collaboration with, ALS Inc. and Northwestern Reproductive Genetics, Inc., we offer PGD testing for Aneuploidy and Gender Choice.
Patient Selection
PGD from ALS, Inc. should be recommended for:
All women ...
All families ...
Test Recommendation
Two types of PGD tests are currently available from ALS, Inc.:
Your PGD test should be fully coordinated between our own laboratory staff and the clinic where you are being managed. Please make sure that detailed arrangements have been made in advance. That facility should have basic micro-manipulation tools. If they don't, we can recommend another facility that has the proper instruments for your biopsy.
Up to 8 embryos can be biopsied for each patient, and each embryo should be in the 6 to 8 blastomere stage. Of these, 1 or 2 blastomeres will be biopsied. Additional embryos per patient require prior authorization. The results will be available and communicated to you within 2 days.
Counseling is available and can be arranged upon prior request.
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The cost for self-pay patients is
particularly reasonable: The entire IVF procedure can be performed for $5,600,
excluding medication costs.
This fee includes oocyte retrieval,
and complete IVF (including ICSI and hatching, embryo transfer and
anesthesia).
·
Cryopreservation of Embryo
$500.
·
Annual Embryo Storage Fee
$300.
·
Frozen Embryo Transfer $1,250.
·
PGD Aneuploidy Testing
$3,500.
·
PGD Gender Screening
$2,500.