FAQ: Is it typical to perform ICSI for IVF?
ICSI is recommended in cases of frozen oocytes that are thawed, due to the hardening of the zona pellucida (the cover or “shell” that surrounds the oocyte) when oocytes are frozen. “Standard insemination” for IVF (also known as “conventional” insemination for IVF) does not result in good fertilization rates in the case of frozen-thawed oocytes; […]
FAQ: What is the waiting period between each IVF cycle?
According to our clinical experience as well as the existing medical literature, there is no difference in a patient’s IVF success rate whether or not there is a waiting period between IVF cycles. This applies to fresh IVF cycles as well as FET cycles
FAQ: What happens post-IVF? What should a woman do to improve the chances of IVF success?
After embryo transfer (and prior to), it is best for the female patient to minimize daily caffeine intake as well as food rich in mercury. Although there are no reliable data to support bed rest after embryo transfer in order to improve IVF success rates, many medical practices ask that the patient consider bed rest for […]
Embryo Freezing has Improved Significantly Over the Years
The main goal of embryo freezing is to cryopreserve the embryo for later use. The first successful pregnancy that resulted from freezing a woman’s embryos was in the early 1980s. Since then, the factors in the IVF laboratory, including culture media, the ability to grow embryos in vitro to the blastocyst stage at day 5 […]
FAQ: How is the “best” embryo selected for transfer?
The “best” embryo for transfer is typically selected based on morphology (grading) and/or preimplantation genetic screening (PGS). Morphologic grading of cleavage-stage embryos (Day 2 and 3 embryos) involves the cell count and “fragmentation” rate of cells. Morphologic grading of blastocyst-stage embryos (Day 5 and 6 embryos) involves assessment of a group of cells that line the […]
FAQ: What is assisted hatching? When is this recommended and how does it improve IVF success?
Assisted hatching is a specialized laboratory technique that embryologists perform with pinpoint laser technology to create an opening in the zona pellucida, the glycoprotein layer that surrounds the embryo, in order to improve in vitro fertilization (IVF) implantation rates with embryo transfer. This procedure helps an embryo remove its “shell” before they are transferred to […]
National Infertility Awareness Week (NIAW) 2017
The 2017 theme for National Infertility Awareness Week (NIAW) is “Listen Up!” This year NIAW runs from April 23 – 29, 2017. At AFRM we want to take this moment to spread awareness of infertility that affects millions and offer support to help those affected to reach their family building goals. NIAW is run by […]
Dr. Shahryar Kavoussi speaks at, and chairs, the Infertility session at the BIT ICGO-2016 Congress in Barcelona, Spain
Dr. Shahryar Kavoussi was invited to speak at, and serve as chair, of the Infertility session at the International Congress of Gynaecology and Obstetrics -2016 in Barcelona, Spain. The congress took place from May 28th through May 30th at the Hesperia Tower Hotel, and his presentation was about robotic-assisted tubal anastomosis with one-stitch technique. “This […]
Uterine Septum Removal Found to Improve Fertility and Pregnancy Outcome
A uterine septum is a congenital uterine anomaly that is, in essence, an embryologic remnant within the uterus that did not resorb away as it does in most women. According to a systematic review in 2011, of women in the general population, 2.3% have a uterine septum and there is a similar percentage of 3% […]
Recognizing the Warning Signs of Infertility in Men and Women
Identifying the signs of infertility can allow couples to seek medical assistance with these issues early. This can allow older individuals to correct these conditions while there is still time to achieve a healthy pregnancy and can help younger couples to start their families earlier. Dr. Shahryar Kavoussi and Dr. Parviz Kavoussi of Austin Fertility […]
