In Vitro Fertilization (IVF)

Having performed more than 10,000 IVF procedures (and counting), we help people with infertility get pregnant—and become parents.

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When fertility challenges prevent you from conceiving, it’s natural to have concerns. But you can also have hope. For many people, infertility treatments like in vitro fertilization (IVF) make it possible to get pregnant.

If you’re considering IVF, you should partner with a medical team that has a lot of experience and a successful track record performing this procedure. Even though IVF can greatly improve your chance of having a baby, it’s a complex process that requires special expertise.

Fortunately, you’ll find this expertise right here in Iowa.

Reproductive endocrinologists from University of Iowa Health Care created the state’s first IVF program in 1987. Since then, we’ve helped thousands of people build their families—with pregnancy rates consistently above the national average.

How IVF works

In vitro fertilization is a medical treatment that helps women conceive and carry a baby. For some individuals and couples with infertility, it offers the best chance of getting pregnant.

For example, you may benefit from IVF if you:

Are not able to get pregnant on your own because of a medical condition such as blocked fallopian tubes
Have the ability to get pregnant, but don’t have a male partner (or your male partner is infertile)
Haven’t been able to get pregnant after trying other infertility treatments like intrauterine insemination (IUI)

The IVF process

Although each patient’s IVF experience is unique, the process generally includes the following steps:

You’ll start by giving yourself daily hormone injections that help your ovaries produce more eggs for that month.
Once the eggs are ready, we’ll perform a minimally invasive procedure to remove them from your ovaries (egg retrieval).
We’ll combine the eggs with sperm in our laboratory. The sperm will fertilize the eggs, creating embryos.
During a procedure called embryo transfer, we’ll place an embryo in your uterus. We’ll freeze any eligible leftover embryos so they can be used, if needed, at a later date.
You’ll become pregnant if the embryo implants itself into the lining of your uterus.

Please note that we can customize IVF to your individual circumstances. If it’s possible to do so, you can use your own eggs and your partner’s sperm. But you also have the option of using donor eggs, donor sperm, or donor embryos.

We also offer gestational carrier services to people who are unable to carry a pregnancy. With this option, also known as surrogacy, another woman carries and gives birth to your child obtained from your egg.

A safer approach to embryo transfer

A multiple pregnancy, such as twins or triplets, comes with significant health risks for you and your unborn children. To minimize these risks and maximize the chances for a single pregnancy, our team usually transfers just one high-quality embryo to patients who have a good prognosis.

This approach, called single embryo transfer, is safe and effective. And it helps ensure you do not get pregnant with twins or other multiples.

With our frequent use of single embryo transfer, our patients’ pregnancy rates remain higher than the national average. That’s because the techniques we use to culture (grow) embryos increase the chance of a successful pregnancy.

What to expect

We aim to make sure your experience is as smooth and seamless—and rewarding—as possible.

Here are a few things to keep in mind if you’re considering IVF:

Eligibility criteria

Before you’re approved for IVF, we need to make sure there is a reasonable chance it will work. We’ll evaluate several factors that can affect your chances of getting pregnant with IVF and maintaining a healthy pregnancy.

These include:

The cause of your or your partner’s infertility
Your age (there are age limitations related to using your own eggs, donor eggs, and donor embryos)
Your weight (your body mass index should be less than 50)
Whether you have a chronic medical condition, such as uncontrolled diabetes, or you use a medication that can increase the risk of birth defects
Whether you smoke or have a substance use disorder

Getting ready for IVF

In addition to determining your eligibility for IVF, we’ll evaluate your physical and mental readiness to move forward. We’ll also make sure you understand the process, including the steps you’ll take (and the timing of those steps).

Much of this preparation takes place during an in-person visit that can last a few hours. If you have a partner who will participate in the IVF process, they must also attend this appointment.

Your visit may include the following:

A review of your medical history, including any infertility treatments you’ve tried in the past
Education about IVF and what you can expect in the coming weeks and months
A discussion about the costs associated with IVF and your payment options
A physical exam, including a pelvic ultrasound and a rehearsal of embryo transfer (uterine sounding)
Blood tests to check your blood type, hormone levels, and immunity against certain diseases that can harm an unborn baby
Semen analysis
A discussion about your options for genetic screening and preimplantation genetic testing
A consultation with our health psychologist if you’ll be using donated eggs, sperm, embryos or a gestational carrier

Finally, we’ll work with you to create a timeline. This will include scheduling your next ultrasound exam and treatment start date.

Testing for pregnancy after IVF

We perform a pregnancy test (which requires a blood draw) 10 days after your embryo transfer.

If you test positive, you may need to continue taking your hormone medications for the first several weeks of pregnancy. We’ll let you know how long you’ll need to take them.

We can also connect you with UI Health Care specialists who will provide your pregnancy and childbirth care.

If you test negative, we’ll discuss the possible reasons why pregnancy didn’t occur. We’ll also talk about next steps, including your willingness and ability to go through another IVF cycle with recommended changes and improvements.

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Are you considering IVF?

To learn more about in vitro fertilization or find out if you’re a candidate, give us a call. We’ll help you schedule a consultation with one of our experienced reproductive endocrinologists.

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In Vitro Fertilization (IVF)