The first reported IVF pregnancy resulted in the birth of baby Louise Brown in 1978. Since the initial procedure, the technique has been refined and improved which has led to a dramatic increase in pregnancy rates. Although IVF originally was used in patients with absent or severely damaged fallopian tubes, IVF is now being utilized to help patients with endometriosis, oligospermia (low sperm count), abnormal sperm function or long-standing infertility of undiagnosed (or unknown) origin. IVF involves the use of medications to induce the formation of multiple follicles each of which contains an egg in the woman's ovaries.The process of ova maturation is monitored very carefully by blood tests for estradiol (this is the estrogen from the developing egg) and by sonograms to document the number of developing follicles and their diameters. When the appropriate size of the follicles and blood estradiol levels are achieved, hCG is administered to induce the final follicle and egg maturation.

Transvaginal oocyte aspiration under ultrasonography or, less commonly, by laparoscopy is then done 36 hours later, prior to the anticipated time of ovulation. The eggs are then identified in the laboratory where they are placed in union with the husband's sperm. Eighteen to twenty four hours later they are then examined closely for fertilization. Developing embryos are then maintained in an vitro culture system and are transferred to the woman's uterus three to five days later. Two weeks later we hope to have a positive pregnancy test.

SFIRM is able to provide the complete scope of IVF as described above in the comfort and privacy of our own office. SFIRM is a member of the Society of Assisted Reproductive Technologies (SART) and adheres to the recommendations and guidelines established by the American Society of Reproductive Medicine. SFIRM is extremely proud of the thousands of couples that are now parents after undergoing infertility treatment with our facility.