More than 13 million babies worldwide have been born through in vitro fertilization (IVF), a once “revolutionary” procedure that is now commonplace. IVF was initially developed to address blocked or damaged fallopian tubes; it is now widely used to treat a variety of diagnoses, including male factor infertility, unexplained infertility, and cases where lower-tech treatments—such as ovulation induction with intrauterine insemination—have not been successful.

The IVF process begins with ovarian stimulation to encourage the development of multiple eggs. The doctor retrieves eggs through a brief, ultrasound-guided needle aspiration performed under anesthesia, typically lasting 20-30 minutes.

In the laboratory, the eggs are carefully prepared and combined with sperm from a partner or donor. Fertilization occurs either through conventional insemination or with the assistance of intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI). The resulting embryos are cultured in a controlled laboratory environment and monitored daily for growth and development.

Within three to five days, one or more embryos are transferred to the uterus using a thin, flexible catheter. By day five, embryos may reach the blastocyst stage—a more advanced phase of development. Blastocysts are often considered the most robust embryos and are more likely to result in successful implantation.

In many cases, embryos are frozen prior to transfer to allow for preimplantation genetic testing (PGT).

Today, IVF is a well-established and commonly recommended option for individuals and couples seeking to build their families. Dr. Blotner can help determine when IVF is the most appropriate path forward and guide patients through each step of their fertility journey.

Impaired Fallopian Tubes

We recommend IVF for patients with tubal damage or blockage, which is often diagnosed through a hysterosalpingogram (HSG) or a surgical laparoscopy. Women also may have tubal damage because of a ectopic pregnancy or elective tubal ligation.

IVF bypasses the fallopian tubes entirely—eggs are retrieved, fertilized in the lab, and transferred directly into the uterus—making pregnancy possible even when the tubes are severely damaged or removed.

Uterine Issues

When a patient cannot safely carry a pregnancy—due to cancer, adenomyosis (when endometrial tissue grows in the wall of the uterus), congenital absence of the uterus, or significant uterine abnormalities—IVF offers a path to parenthood. We retrieve eggs, create embryos with partner or donor sperm, and transfer them to a gestational carrier.

Ovarian Reserve

Reduced ovarian reserve can result from age, genetics, or autoimmune conditions. IVF helps maximize the chances of conception by retrieving and fertilizing available eggs. For patients with very low reserve, using donor eggs may be the best option. In these cases, we fertilize donor eggs and transfer the resulting embryos to the intended parent.

Read more about In Vitro Fertilization on the RESOLVE website.

Male Factor Infertility

IVF with ICSI can be very successful for the 30-50% of men with a male factor impairing their fertility. ICSI is a specialized technique in which an embryologist injects a single sperm directly into an egg to improve the chances of fertilization. It is especially helpful for men with low sperm count, poor sperm quality, or issues with ejaculation or erection. After fertilization, the lab monitors the embryo’s development and selects the most viable embryo for transfer to the intended parent or gestational carrier.

Chromosomal Issues

For patients undergoing IVF, we offer embryo testing to identify genetic or chromosomal abnormalities. This is particularly valuable for those with a family history of genetic conditions or known chromosomal issues, such as translocations that can lead to miscarriage or serious fetal complications. After testing, viable embryos are selected for uterine transfer.

Unexplained Infertility