Other Assisted Reproduction Treatments at Our Chicago and Northwest Indiana Centers

Each patient is unique, with different needs and concerns. When a couple is trying to conceive a child, they deserve to have a variety of options available to them. At Midwest Fertility Center, we provide a comprehensive selection of assisted reproduction treatments to increase the chance of conception as much as possible.

To discuss any of the assisted reproduction treatments performed at our Chicago and Northwest Indiana centers, please contact us today.

• GIFT – Gamete Intra Fallopian Transfer
• ICSI – Intra Cytoplasmic Sperm Injection
• Assisted Hatching
• Blastocyst Transfer
• Cryopreservation

GIFT - Gamete Intra Fallopian Transfer

During gamete intra fallopian transfer, also known as “GIFT,” the doctor retrieves eggs by performing laparoscopy, a surgical process that involves the insertion of a small camera-like instrument into the abdomen to examine the ovaries and uterus. The eggs are then fertilized (mixed) with the partner’s sperm in a test tube or petri dish. Immediately thereafter, the mixture is transferred back into the fallopian tube. The prerequisites for undergoing GIFT are two functional fallopian tubes and no pelvic pathology.

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ICSI - Intra Cytoplasmic Sperm Injection

Intra cytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI), is one of the most innovative in vitro fertilization (IVF) assisted reproduction treatments offered by our doctors in Chicago and Northwest Indiana. In this procedure, a single sperm is injected directly into the egg. ICSI is used to facilitate fertilization in the most difficult situations, such as a very low sperm count, impaired sperm function, or in cases of previous failed fertilization.

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Assisted Hatching

Assisted hatching is the term applied to the procedure the embryologist performs on certain embryos to create a hole in the shell-like surface of the egg (the zona pellucida). This procedure may be accomplished mechanically, chemically, or with a laser.

This artificial hatching is performed on embryos that may be at higher risk of developing a hardened or thickened zona pellucida; this is commonly seen in women who are at a more advanced reproductive age.

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Blastocyst Transfer

Blastocyst transfer refers to placing the embryo in the uterus five days after egg retrieval, rather than the traditional three days. This is possible due to recent innovations in the IVF laboratory that allow us to keep embryos in a safe and receptive environment for a longer period of time.

Advantages of Blastocyst Transfer

The primary advantage of blastocyst transfer is the reduction of the risk of multiple gestations. When embryos survive the laboratory environment for a longer period, they are thought to be healthier and possibly more likely to create a pregnancy. Therefore, we can usually transfer fewer embryos.

Disadvantages of Blastocyst Transfer

The primary disadvantage of blastocyst transfer is the overall reduction of the number of embryos. Some of the embryos will usually stop developing between day three and day five in the laboratory. This results in fewer overall embryos, fewer or no embryos to freeze (cryopreserve), and occasionally the need to cancel the transfer if all the embryos become unviable. Therefore, blastocyst transfer is planned only after careful consideration and discussion with your physician.

At this time, only certain patients are good candidates for this procedure. If you are interested in discussing blastocyst transfer or another one of our assisted reproduction treatments, please contact us in the Chicago or Northwest Indiana area.

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Cryopreservation

If you so choose, you may participate in our cryopreservation (embryo freezing) program. For participating patients, two to six embryos will be placed back in the usual manner during an assisted reproduction procedure. The unused embryos can be cryopreserved in our specially designed slow freezer.

If the initial assisted reproduction procedure results in a successful pregnancy, the cryopreserved embryos can be kept and used at a later date if an additional pregnancy is desired. If further pregnancies are not desired, embryo donation may be considered or the embryos may be discarded.

The main advantage of the cryopreservation program is the increased pregnancy rate for each cycle. Should pregnancy not occur in the original cycle, the frozen embryos can be transferred in the following months, increasing the woman's chances of achieving pregnancy.

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Contact Midwest Fertility Center

From Downers Grove and Naperville to Munster and Valparaiso, our practice has six different locations conveniently positioned to serve you. To schedule a consultation or learn more about these assisted reproduction treatments, please contact one of the Chicago or Northwest Indiana offices of Midwest Fertility Center.

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