Ottawa Fertility Centre partner in Sandy Hill

IVF entails combining an egg and sperm outside the body to form embryos, which are subsequently implanted into the uterus. This advanced reproductive technique has enabled countless individuals worldwide to experience the joy of parenthood. The IVF procedure encompasses several critical stages:

Ovarian Stimulation

Administering daily fertility medications encourages the development of multiple ovarian follicles. We monitor progress through blood tests and ultrasounds, and a "trigger" injection is given to prepare the eggs for retrieval.

Egg Retrieval and Sperm Collection

Approximately 36 hours after the trigger injection, eggs are collected using an ultrasound-guided needle. Sperm is obtained through ejaculation or alternative methods as necessary.

Fertilization and Embryo Culture

Eggs are fertilized by either mixing them with sperm in a dish or utilizing intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI), where a single sperm is injected directly into an egg. The resulting embryos are cultured until they are ready for transfer.

Embryo Transfer

Selected embryos are gently placed into the uterus using a soft catheter, a procedure comparable in comfort to a pap smear. High-quality remaining embryos can be cryopreserved for future use.

Progesterone Support and Pregnancy Testing

Progesterone supplements are provided to support early pregnancy. A pregnancy test is conducted approximately 17 days after egg retrieval, followed by an ultrasound if the result is positive.