In Vitro Fertilization, IVF
Find highly effective in vitro fertilization services at our clinic
One out of every eight couples will struggle to conceive due to fertility issues. However, that doesn’t account for the many single adults or LGBTQ couples who also want to start families of their own. Thankfully, IVF, or in vitro fertilization, can help all these patients become parents.
Dr. Mark Rispler and Dr. Joshua J. Berger are respected board certified reproductive endocrinologists. They have spent their lives to helping people conceive healthy children using treatments like IVF.
The five steps of in vitro fertilization
After reviewing your medical history and undergoing a fertility workup and initial bloodwork, it is time to begin the IVF process.
Ovarian stimulation. The female patient will follow a personalized stimulation protocol using injectable fertility medications. These medications enhance her natural cycle, stimulate the production of multiple eggs and trigger ovulation when the time is right.
Egg retrieval. When the eggs are mature, the doctor will retrieve them while the patient is comfortably sedated in our on-site surgery center. Our doctors remove eggs from the ovaries using a small ultrasound guided needle.
Fertilization Our team then places the retrieved eggs in a special growth media in the IVF lab. This media nourishes and protects the eggs. The embryologist fertilizes the eggs, also called oocytes, by combining them with the sperm in a petri dish. Sometimes, embryologists use an advanced fertilization technique called intracytoplasmic sperm injection, or ICSI, to ensure fertilization takes place.
Embryo transfer The embryos (fertilized eggs) will be transferred back to the uterus after fertilization for a fresh cycle. However, many couples prefer to have preimplantation genetic testing done. In this case, we will grow the embryo to the blastocyst stage and take a safe biopsy for genetic testing. We will freeze the embryos until we receive the genetic test results and perform the transfer.
Luteal phase support A fertility specialist will prescribe progesterone to provide the ideal environment for successful implantation and embryo development. We will recommend this treatment to nourish and support the ongoing pregnancy.
Experience IVF at a fertility center devoted to holistic care
At our Manhattan Beach fertility center, we know that each situation is unique and tailor care accordingly. If you are a single parent to be, an infertile couple or an LGBTQ couple, we are here to help you achieve your dream of a family.
We also offer personalized, holistic care that includes yoga and acupuncture alongside other proven, safe and effective Western medical technologies. Before you begin any process such as IVF, you may also choose to undergo genetic testing (using simple blood or saliva tests) to screen for inherited diseases such as sickle cell anemia, Tay Sachs and CF.
We are here to help you every step of the way. From our caring staff to our highly trained fertility specialist, we are here to help. If you are having trouble conceiving, would like more information or wish to schedule an appointment, please contact us today.