Infertility can be heartbreaking. A couple may try to conceive for many months or years before coming to the realization that they need help. They may undergo conservative treatments, such as intrauterine inseminations, but still not achieve any results with a pregnancy. Fortunately, in vitro fertilization can help a couple conceive. In fact, according to statistics, almost 30% of in vitro fertilization cycles result in births, which is a good result when compared to fertile 30-year-old women have a 20% chance of having an unassisted pregnancy. 

If you are considering in vitro fertilization, you may be wondering what the process is. Here's what you need to know. 

Getting Started 

During your initial consultation with a fertility specialist, he or she will review you and your partner's extensive medical history, so be prepared to answer a lot of medically-related questions. It is crucial for the specialist to be well-informed about both of your medical history. You will also meet with a clinical coordinator who will teach you how to administer the medication you will need to help you get pregnant, as well as any additional procedures you will need in the office. Another consultation you will need is one regarding the financial costs of the process, which is important if your health insurance does not cover in vitro fertilization. 

Getting Treatment 

Before treatment begins, you will both need to have laboratory tests and screenings to determine your health and mother's uterine will need to be evaluated for efficacy. With test results in hand, your specialist will determine how long you will need to take birth control pills, which will help regulate your menstrual cycle to prepare for conception. Once your menstrual cycle is regulated and you are ready to be taken off of birth control pills, you will be given fertility medication to stimulate the follicles in your ovaries. This will help your body to produce more eggs. 

Making a Baby 

When your eggs are ready to be retrieved, your specialist will remove the eggs and place them in an incubator so they can be inseminated with a sperm sample so a sperm can naturally fertilize the egg. If necessary, sperm may be injected directly into a viable egg. The sperm and egg will be monitored until a healthy embryo forms. When a healthy embryo develops, it will get transferred to your uterus where the embryo should attach to the uterine wall and, therefore, result in a positive pregnancy. However, sometimes, this doesn't occur so you would need to repeat the process again. 

To learn more about the IVF procedure, contact a company like Delaware Valley Institute of Fertility.