Procedures and treatment
- allergic reaction to medicines
- headaches
- bruising from shots
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IVF stands for in vitro fertilization. It's one of the more widely known types of assisted reproductive technology (ART). IVF works by using a
combination of medicines and surgical procedures to help sperm fertilize an egg, and help the fertilized egg implant in your uterus.
The first step in IVF is taking fertility medications for several months to help your ovaries produce several eggs that are mature and ready for fertilization. This is called ovulation induction. You may get regular ultrasounds or blood tests to measure your hormone levels and keep track of your egg production.
Once your ovaries have produced enough mature eggs, your doctor removes the eggs from your body (this is called egg retrieval). Egg retrieval is a minor surgical procedure that’s done at your doctor’s office or at a fertility clinic.
You’ll get medicine to help you be relaxed and comfortable during the procedure. Using an ultrasound to see inside your body, the doctor puts a thin, hollow tube through your vagina and into the ovary and follicles that hold your eggs.
The needle is connected to a suction device that gently pulls the eggs out of each follicle.
