In Vitro Fertilization Clinic

In Vitro Fertilization Clinic’s
high success rate in
embryo fertilization and pregnancy

For inquires:
031-782-8300(KOR) / +82-10-8866-2268(ENG)
Introduction
In Vitro FertilizationIn medical terms, it is called IVF-ET: In Vitro Fertilization-Embryo Transfer.
Mature eggs are retrieved from ovaries and fertilized by sperm in a lab for 2-5 days. Then the fertilized embryo(s) are transferred to the uterus.
IVF is the method of choice in the cases of blocked or surgically removed fallopian tubes, previous failure of salpingoplasty, immunologic infertility (where the woman’s own immune system rejects sperm), male infertility, endometriosis, repeated failures of artificial insemination, necessity of preimplantation genetic diagnosis, or other unknown causes.
Strength in CHA Ilsan Medical Center's In Vitro Fertilization Procedure
World-class pregnancy success rate
In Vitro Ferritization Process at CHA Ilsan Medical Center
  • Ovarian Stimulation

    Types of ovulation include natural ovulation and controlled ovarian hyperstimulation.

    Natural Ovulation
    This is a method of harvesting mature eggs following the natural cycle. However, because natural ovulation occurs once a month, it is hard to pinpoint the exact ovulation date and therefore the chances of harvesting a mature egg is very low.

    Controlled Ovarian Hyperstimulation
    Using years of experience as a guide, a series of medications, mainly injections, that stimulate your ovaries in producing multiple mature eggs at once will be prescribed. Retrieving multiple eggs will increase your chances of success because not all eggs will fertilize or develop normally after fertilization. Factors such as age, ovarian function, and previous trials will be considered when deciding on the best type of medication/injection.
  • Oocyte (Egg) Retrieval

    Once your follicles are matured and reaches at least 18mm, you will be given human chorionic gonadotropin hormone injection 35 hours before the egg retrieval procedure. This medication will bring your eggs to final maturity. The retrieval process is a short 20 to 30-minute procedure. During the egg retrieval, your doctor will use an ultrasound-guided needle to gently remove your eggs from your ovaries. The doctor will sedate you with an IV during the procedure and you may go home once you wake up from the anesthesia.

    Our embryologists will then transfer the eggs into a dish with specialized media. We will then incubate your eggs in specialized media so that they can fertilize and start developing into embryos.

  • Sperm Retrieval

    A semen sample will need to be given on the same morning of the egg retrieval. Therefore, once the date of egg retrieval is set, we ask husbands to refrain from ejaculating from 2-3 days before the egg retrieval date. Once the semen is collected, it is then washed several times to rid of any impurities. The healthiest sperm with the highest motility is then selected and prepared.

  • Embryo Fertilization and Culture

    The prepared sperm is used to inseminate the eggs by leaving them together in culture dish that mimics the natural environment. If the sperm quality is good, then approximately 50,000~100,000 sperms are placed together with the egg. However, if the quality of the sperm is poor (low motility, low count, etc.) additional method called ‘intracytoplasmic sperm injection’ (ICSI), when a single sperm is injected into the egg, will then be performed to aid in fertilization.

  • Embryo Transfer

    Embryo transfer is the final step of IVF. Once the embryo has been matured for 2-5 days, when they are at the blastocyst stage, the embryo will then be transferred into the uterus.

    1. 1Anesthesia is not used during this process. If needed, anti-anxiety medication may be given.
    2. 2The embryo is placed into the catheter. The catheter is then passed through the cervix into the uterus and the embryo(s) is placed in the uterus.
    3. 3This process will take approximately 2-3 minutes.
  • Pregnancy Test and Management

    Pregnancy blood test is done 11 days after embryo transfer. If the pregnancy test comes back positive, repeat blood test is done 2-3 more times 5-7 days apart to make sure the hCG level increases. Once all the repeat blood tests confirm pregnancy, an ultrasound exam is done 1-2 weeks later. Progesterone hormones are administered from the day eggs are retrieved and is continuously used until the 8-9th week of gestation to safely ensure pregnancy.