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IVF Procedures
In Vitro Fertilization (IVF)

In Vitro Fertilization (IVF)

In vitro fertilization (IVF) is the fertilization of eggs with sperm in the lab. The resulting embryo culture is monitored for three to five days and then transferred to the uterus to start a pregnancy.

In the realm of IVF, the embryologists are the experts. At aParent IVF Laboratory our embryologists perform MORE THAN 1,500 procedures per year, making our lab one of the most experienced.

Because fertilization and embryo culture occurs in the lab, embryologists are able to select the healthiest embryos for transfer. This increases the pregnancy rate, while preventing triplets and higher order pregnancies.

Due to our strong in vitro fertilization and embryo culture programs, aParent IVF Laboratory provides patients with innovative technical procedures. Our embryologist technical mastery is key in assisted zona hatching (AZH) with fragment removal and trophectoderm biopsy for genetic analysis of the pre-implantation embryo. These cutting-edge procedures further enhance every patient’s chance of a healthy pregnancy and birth.

ICSI

ICSI

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In 1993, the invention of Intracytoplasmic Sperm Injection (ICSI) made it possible for men with rare or non-swimming sperm to father children by injecting individual sperm into individual eggs. Since 1994, aParent IVF Laboratory embryologists began providing this amazing procedure to thousands of patients. Trained by pioneers in the field, including Jacques Cohen PhD who is considered one of the fathers of micromanipulation techniques, our embryologists began performing ICSI at expert levels starting with our first case. After all these years, there are few labs capable of performing this procedure better than aParent IVF.

Assisted Zona Hatching (AZH)

Assisted Zona Hatching (AZH)

https://www.aparentivf.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/02/assissted-zona-hatching.mp4

Assisted Zona Hatching (AZH) is a technical procedure that embryologists perform to assist the embryo in its efforts to “hatch” from the zona pellucida, the shell surrounding the embryo, which is critical for successful implantation. During the AZH procedure, embryologists also have the opportunity to remove fragments of non-living embryonic cells that may interfere with development of the normal cells in the embryo. aParent IVF Laboratory embryologists were trained in AZH by the leading micromanipulation experts in the field and are specifically trained to perform assisted hatching and fragment removal at either the day 3 (cleavage stage) or day 5 (blastocyst stage) of development, depending on the specific needs of your embryo. AZH is also used in pre-implantation genetic diagnosis to open the zona pellucida and remove cell(s) for genetic analysis

Day 5 Blastocyst Culture

Day 5 Blastocyst Culture

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The culture system used to grow your embryos during the first five days of life must support their evolving needs. Growing embryos past day 3 of culture does require more care on the part of embryologists and many programs are unable to offer day 5 culture to their patients as a result. The embryologists at aParent IVF Laboratory have successfully used modern day 5 culture since the inception of this technique. Few IVF labs can rival our experience in this arena, therefore, be assured your embryos will receive the highest quality of care.

Testicular Sperm Extraction (TESE)

Testicular Sperm Extraction (TESE)

Many men who suffer from Azoospermia, a condition in which men have no sperm in their ejaculate, do produce small amounts of sperm in their testicles. A small sample can be recovered from the testicular tissue, using a technique called testicular sperm extraction (TESE).

In the IVF laboratory, embryologists can use sperm from the testicular tissue to fertilize eggs using intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI).

At least two aParent IVF Laboratory embryologists are assigned to each TESE case. We prepare the testicular tissue and microscopically examine every area of the sample. The next step is to recover the rare sperm from the surrounding tissue.

Because we have two embryologists performing the lengthy microscopic search, we pay close attention to detail. This ensures a rapid and efficient process to identify sperm in the sample.

We also partner with urologists worldwide, which gives you the freedom to choose the location of your procedure.

PGD

PGD (Preimplantation Genetic Diagnosis) is used to detect known genetic mutations before implantation.

Genetic Disease Detection

PGD Is used to detect specific genetic disorders. If either parents is a potential carrier of a known single gene disorder such as Cystic Fibrosis, Tay Sachs Disease, or Fragile X Syndrome, we can use PGD to diagnose if that particular gene mutation exists in the dna of an embryo. This allows us to only implant embryos that we know will not inherit the genetic disorder.

PGS

PGS (Preimplantation Genetic Screening) is a complete screening of an embryos chromosomes.

Chromosome Screening

The most common error in embryos is called aneuploidy. This means there are too many or too few chromosomes.  Screening embryos with PGS prior to transfer helps to achieve higher implantation rates, fewer pregnancy losses and lowers the risk of having to consider pregnancy termination.

Gender Identification

PGS can be used to find out the gender of your embryos.

Gender Identification

Every family is different and only you can decide when your family is complete.  With gender testing, you can choose the gender of the embryos that will be transferred to you or your gestational carrier and balance the gender of your existing children.

Higher Success

Using PGD/PGS with IVF increases your chance of success.

Advantages of using PGD/PGS

  • Optimize chances for a healthy baby
  • Higher implantation and pregnancy rates
  • Lower miscarriage rates
  • Detect known genetic diseases
  • Implant chromosomally normal embryos
  • Identify gender for family balancing
  • Success is uniform for young women and
    older women if blastocysts are tested.
Experience Matters

What makes us a great PGD/PGS Center

Critical factors for PGD/PGS

  • Most advanced technologies
  • Precision techniques
  • Experience with a high volume of PGS cases
  • Ability to culture to blastocyst stage
  • Proficiency of embryo biopsy
  • Cryopreservation of biopsied embryos
MORE ON GENETIC TESTING
Egg Freezing

Egg freezing is the process of cryopreserving your eggs to stop the biological clock so they can be used in the future, giving you the choice of when you’re ready to start your family.  While egg freezing has been around for years, an advancement in technology called “egg vitrification” has dramatically improved success rates.

The development of this flash-freezing technique has revolutionized the world of fertility. With its ultra-rapid freezing process and use of cryoprotectants, egg vitrification prohibits the formation of damaging ice crystals, thus sealing the egg in a glass-like protection. It’s important to know that an IVF center may be able to freeze embryos well, but freezing eggs is a much more complex and delicate procedure.

Through its newest creation, OVA, aParent IVF Laboratory has launched its own egg freezing specialty center located in the heart of downtown Chicago.

Backed by the same lab that has driven the success behind aParent IVF for over 3 decades, OVA uses the Cryotec Method, the latest breakthrough technology to ensure the highest rates of cryopreservation success.

OVA Egg Freezing Website: www.ovaeggfreezing.com

The 5 W’s of Egg Freezing: Click Here

OVA in People Magazine: http://people.com/celebrity/bachelor-whitney-bischoff-egg-freezing-misconceptions-negative-stereotypes/

CryoVault

Care for your frozen embryos and eggs

aParent IVF Laboratory continues to care for your eggs and embryos after the retrieval.  We provide state-of-the-art storage in our CryoVault facility.  Unlike a stand-alone storage facility, CryoVault is unique. You will be working with the same embryologists, who cared for your eggs and embryos from retrieval. Our dedicated team will continue to maintain the environment and storage.

Thousands of patients have trusted their specimens to CryoVault due to our egg and embryo storage & maintenance expertise. With over 30 years of experience, CryoVault clients enjoy peace of mind knowing that their eggs and embryos are safe with us.

FAQs about Cryopreservation
What is Cryopreservation?

Oocytes (unfertilized eggs) or any extra embryos that were not transferred and have developed to the blastocyst stage (day 5, 6, or 7) can be considered for freezing. We use the most advanced process, called vitrification. Vitrification is done by placing the oocyte or embryo into a solution and then rapidly freezing it in liquid nitrogen.

If you are planning to have an embryo transfer, an embryologist and your physician will review your results with you prior to your procedure. The embryologist will inform you if you have surplus embryos that may be appropriate for freezing on day 5, 6, or 7.  If you elect cryopreservation, we will call you with your final number of frozen embryos by day 7.

Who is Cryopreserving (freezing) my Oocytes and/or Embryos?

CryoVault is the division that is providing your cryogenic storage. CryoVault has been providing state-of-the-art cryogenic storage for over 30 years. The same embryologists who created your embryos will be the ones maintaining their environment during your storage with us at CryoVault. We are proud to provide this continuation of service for you. Our cryogenic storage and maintenance expertise assures you that your oocyte and embryo storage is in the best of hands.

What is the fee for Cryopreservation?

The fee for cryopreservation (freezing) of your oocytes or embryos is $1,525 per cycle. Your storage fee is waived for the first 12 months. After that initial year, the annual storage fee is $720 ($780 for infectious) and is due on your anniversary date. You will receive an invoice 30-60 days prior to your anniversary date.

What if I want to discontinue storage?

Should you ever decide to discontinue storage, we will provide you with a consent form that, when signed and notarized, will give us permission to stop your storage. We are unable to discontinue your storage without a current completed consent form signed by both partners. Please contact our team to discuss your options and to obtain the proper consent form.

Who do I contact if I have more questions?

Please remember to notify us promptly if any of your contact information changes including cell or home phone numbers and any email addresses.

Should you have any lab related questions, please feel free to contact our Lab Support Team at 847- 433-9050, option 2.

Should you have any billing related questions, please free to contact our Billing Department at 847- 433-9050, option 1, or billing@aparentivf.com.

Specimen Transport

If you’re bringing donor sperm, frozen sperm, embryos, oocytes, internationally, out of state or doing a local transport from a Chicagoland lab into our laboratory please contact us first. We’ll send you a checklist that will show you each step that needs to be completed. We’ll help walk you through the process so that your specimens are here prior to you starting your medications.

Start with Us!

aParent IVF Concierge Team
concierge@aparentivf.com | 847-433-9050

International Patients






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