What is in vitro fertilization?

IVF: In-vitro fertilization is the most advanced art (assisted reproductive technology) for helping women become pregnant. What is unique about ivf is the woman's oocytes (eggs) are removed from her body to be fertilized in the laboratory with male partner's sperm. Resulting embryos are placed back in her uterus a few days later.

Outside the Body: In Vitro means outside the body. So, IVF means fertilization outside the body. We remove the eggs from a woman's ovaries and collect a semen sample from the man for sperm. In the embryology laboratory, the sperm and eggs are combined to allow fertilization into embryos. We culture embryos for 3-5 days and then place them into the woman uterus and hope for implantation and a baby.