In vitro fertilization (IVF) is one of the most complex techniques performed in an assisted reproduction laboratory. Its objective is the union of egg and sperm.
In vitro fertilization (IVF) begins with ovarian stimulation with hormones, after a complete fertility study. It consists of a personalized treatment for each patient, in which follicle development and growth are monitored through ultrasounds and serial blood tests.
Once the medical team verifies that follicular development is optimal, egg retrieval is performed through ovarian puncture. Once in the laboratory, the extracted eggs are placed in contact with the sperm.

The procedure can be performed in two ways: conventional in vitro fertilization (IVF), in which sperm penetrate the egg’s membranes to penetrate and fertilize it, or intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI), which involves inserting a sperm (selected by biologists) into the egg.

Once fertilization is complete, the embryos are cultured for a few days in time-lapse incubators until the appropriate time for transfer. During these days, their development is monitored, and the embryos are classified based on their quality, with the best being transferred and the remaining ones cryopreserved as appropriate.
After the embryo transfer, a brief rest period is established, after which the patient can go home with the relevant instructions. Approximately two weeks later, a pregnancy test should be taken to assess the success of the treatment.

Who is it indicated for?
IVF is indicated for patients whose clinical characteristics and history of infertility have not achieved pregnancy spontaneously or who have been unsuccessful with simpler techniques such as artificial insemination.
ICSI is indicated for cases of moderate or severe male factor; for couples with fertilization failure following a previous IVF treatment; and for couples requiring preimplantation genetic testing.
Steps for In Vitro Fertilization: