Starting a family is one of the biggest decisions that you’ll ever make. While the process of building a family can be both exciting and fulfilling, it can also be challenging for some people. Fortunately, couples and individuals who need assistance can consider in vitro fertilization (IVF).
The Center for Advanced Reproductive Services (The Center) is proud to offer IVF in Connecticut. With offices all over the state, including Farmington, Hartford, New London, Branford, and Middlebury, CT, we’re proud to help aspiring parents from all over.
The IVF Process
The IVF process is an emotional process that’s often challenging, but ultimately worth it when you welcome your baby into the world. Generally, the process takes 6-8 weeks and follows these steps:
- Consultation – Getting to know new patients is the first step towards designing a treatment plan that works for you. During this time, our team will review your medical history and family-building goals, go over the IVF process, and answer any questions you may have.
- Fertility Testing – To help us understand your needs, you’ll go through some fertility tests. This can include bloodwork and physical exams. A minimally invasive procedure may also be necessary to look for any signs of structural causes of infertility. Once you’ve undergone some tests, our team can design a customized plan for you.
- Ovarian Stimulation – Next, our fertility specialists will prescribe you medication that increases the odds of creating viable eggs during ovulation. There are several treatment options for this step, which allows our team to choose the protocol that best suits you based on your fertility testing. Usually, this is done by injecting hormones, such as follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) and luteinizing hormone (LH). Additionally, these hormones can be safely and easily self-injected at home. Our team will then monitor your hormones and follicles via regular ultrasounds and bloodwork. Once they’ve fully developed, another injection called a “trigger-shot” will induce ovulation.
- Egg Retrieval – The second round of hormone injections, or “trigger shot,” kickstarts ovulation and releases mature eggs. This allows multiple eggs to be released during the same cycle. The mature eggs are then collected by your fertility doctor using a minimally invasive procedure known as aspiration. After an egg is harvested, it can be either fertilized or frozen for later use. The egg retrieval procedure will be performed in our surgery center and under anesthesia for your comfort.
- Sperm Collection – At this stage, a semen sample will need to be submitted. Once your partner or donor has supplied a semen sample, our embryologists will separate the sperm cells and examine the strongest specimen.
- Fertilization – After both the egg and sperm have been collected, they’re placed in a petri dish for 3-5 days for fertilization in our state-of-the-art lab. It features the latest technology and procedures for successful fertilization and embryo development. However, not all eggs are able to be fertilized, just as not every fertilized egg can grow into an embryo. This is why our team collects several samples.
- Embryo Transfer – If an egg is successfully fertilized and a viable embryo develops, it will be transferred into the uterus for pregnancy.
Who is a Good Candidate for IVF?
The IVF process is a viable option for adults from all sorts of backgrounds. The Center offers consultations and fertility treatments to prospective parents, including LGBTQ+ couples and individuals. That being said, IVF is a major process, which means you will need to determine whether or not it’s the right option for you.
Some of the most common reasons why people seek fertility treatments like IVF include age, relationship status, and medical history. Some patients are single parents who wish to have a child, while others are in committed relationships but haven’t been able to get pregnant. Others are simply over the age of 35.
Regardless of your circumstances, The Center features a compassionate team who are prepared to provide you with the proper care and treatment throughout your IVF journey.
Learn More About IVF in Connecticut
If you are considering IVF or having difficulty conceiving, contact The Center a consultation today. We pride ourselves on offering expert level care and compassion to aspiring parents looking for IVF in Connecticut. Contact us to get started today.
