The Waiting Game and Infertility Treatment

Patients undergoing infertility treatments get used to the ‘two-week wait’. The nerve-wracking interval between ovulation and a positive pregnancy test (or a period). However, many patients also have to get used to waiting in other ways: waiting for cysts to resolve, waiting to heal from surgery, waiting on thyroid disease to improve, before moving forward with treatment. As an infertility physician, the waiting game is tough to navigate. Our patients are so anxious to take those next steps to become pregnant, talking through the necessary downtime can be challenging–we hate waiting as much as our patients do!

At Alabama Fertility, we are committed to helping our patients in every way possible, and if we can minimize the waiting time–we know we can help more patients get closer to our goal of a pregnancy. Starting in March of 2018, we will offer Assisted Reproductive Technologies (IVF and cryopreserved embryo transfers) every other month.

In vitro fertilization (IVF) is a type of assisted reproductive technology that overcomes infertility problems in men and ovulation and fallopian tube irregularities in women. Doctors use IVF in men with poor sperm motility or decreased sperm counts and in women with blocked or damaged fallopian tubes, or those who have failed other treatment strategies, according to the American Pregnancy Association. As of 2013, around 5 million babies were born through IVF since doctors first used this technology.  After a couple goes through IVF, if there are extra embryos that are not transferred, they can be cryopreserved (frozen) for use at a later time. Cryopreserved embryo transfers (CETs) are performed after the embryos have been cryopreserved (frozen) and more recent data suggests CETs may be safer for mothers and babies.  

Are You a Good Candidate for IVF?

If you have low sperm counts or motility, fallopian tube dysfunction, or have failed to conceive with other treatments, IVF might be a good option for you. During this procedure, eggs and sperm are combined in a laboratory glass dish, and the embryos cultured for 3-6 days. Once the embryos reach a suitable stage of development, a doctor will place one or more embryos into a female patient’s uterus.

If you are considering IVF, it’s a good idea to talk things over with a professional. You can find out more about this treatment and ask as many questions as you like. Your doctor will help you decide whether you are a good candidate for IVF.

How Long Does IVF Take?

Typically, it takes between two and six weeks to complete an IVF cycle.  The time differences depends on the types of medications your physician recommends. If everything runs smoothly, a doctor will transfer an embryo (or embryos) to a female patient’s uterus within three to five days.

Alabama Fertility

Alabama Fertility specializes in advanced fertility services in the Yellowhammer State. This clinic offers egg retrievals every two months and frozen embryo treatments in between, which decreases treatment waiting times significantly. The team at Alabama Fertility is committed to reducing the waiting time for our patients, getting us to a long-awaited pregnancy as quickly and as safely as possible. Alabama Fertility is located in Birmingham.

Patients usually opt for IVF when other fertility methods — medication, surgery, intrauterine insemination, etc. — have failed. It is important, therefore, that you choose the right specialist to increase your chances of conceiving a baby. Want to find out more about IVF? Click here to make an appointment at Alabama Fertility.