In Vitro Fertilization

Item: Heartland Center for Reproductive Medicine
Rating: 5
Author: Ayden Hodge

If you're struggling to conceive naturally, you may wonder what options are available to help you grow your family.

In vitro fertilization (IVF) makes it possible for many individuals and couples to realize their dreams of parenthood.

See how Heartland Center for Reproductive Medicine, serving Lincoln and Omaha, NE, can help you overcome your infertility problems.

What Is In Vitro Fertilization?

In vitro fertilization is a process in which eggs are retrieved from the ovarian follicles and fertilized in a lab. After a few days, the healthiest embryo or embryos are transferred to the uterus, where they can implant and grow. For many patients, this results in a successful pregnancy and birth.

This assisted reproductive technology can be a great solution for prospective parents who struggle with:

Ovulation problems
PCOS
Endometriosis
Male factor infertility
Unexplained infertility
Fallopian tube problems
Recurrent miscarriage
Failed fertility treatment

How IVF Helps Patients Like You Across Southeast Nebraska

Can Help You Have a Healthy Baby

In addition to allowing us to select the healthiest embryos, IVF can be combined with genetic screening, which lets us detect which embryos carry certain conditions. Our team can then choose embryos without these conditions. Patients with heritable diseases can benefit from this technology.

Can Help You Control Timing

Ovulation problems, irregular menstrual cycles, and busy schedules can make conception difficult. IVF allows us to retrieve and fertilize eggs at the most ideal time for you.

Can Help Non-Traditional Families Conceive

Same-sex couples and single men and women are often interested in having children. IVF makes this possible. We offer egg donor, sperm donor, artificial insemination, and surrogacy services to make growing your family a possibility.

Improve Your Chances of Growing Your Family Contact Us for Fertility Treatment

If you want children but haven't been able to conceive through natural means, Heartland Center for Reproductive Medicine is here for you.

Stephanie L.F. Gustin, MD, FACOG, is a board-certified reproductive endocrinologist who has helped many single patients and couples conceive despite infertility and other reproductive concerns. Her team has a variety of assisted reproductive technologies available, including IVF, which is responsible for up to two percent of births each year in the United States.

If you're struggling with infertility and you desire a healthy pregnancy, we invite you to contact our practice in Omaha or Lincoln, NE, today.

(402) 717-4200

Request Your Fertility Consultation

"We were blessed with a beautiful baby boy." We Do Everything We Can for Our Omaha Patients

"I cannot put into words how amazing the staff is at this clinic... After nearly an 8 year infertility journey, we decided to go in for IVF, and after our second transfer we were blessed with a beautiful baby boy. He's 7 months old now, and I just am so glad we walked into that clinic." Lexi Hilkemeier

View Full Review on Google

Determining Your Candidacy For This Assisted Reproductive Technology

Before you can undergo the IVF cycle, our team, serving Omaha and beyond, will have to run some tests to determine if any fertility problems are present.

Ovarian Reserve and Medical Exams

Blood tests will be used to check the health of the ovarian reserve. An HSG (hysterosalpingography) X-ray test will be used to identify any abnormalities of the fallopian tubes and uterus.

Semen Analysis

A semen sample will be collected from your partner or donor to check the health, mobility, and count of the sperm.

Understanding the Process of In Vitro Fertilization

The IVF process takes about three weeks and includes several steps:

Dr. Gustin is a board-certified reproductive endocrinologist who has helped many patients conceive despite infertility and other reproductive concerns.

Initial Tests

At the start of your menstrual cycle, you will meet with our Omaha team to undergo a baseline ultrasound and blood test. The ultrasound will check your ovaries and uterine lining, and the blood test will measure your hormone levels at the start of your IVF cycle.

Fertility Medication

Your initial tests will allow our team to prescribe the correct type and amount of fertility medication. As you proceed with treatment, we will see how you respond to this medication.

Ovarian Stimulation

Fertility medication will be injected for 8-12 days. Once ovarian stimulation starts, you will return to our office every other day so we can monitor your ovaries and follicles. We may make adjustments to your medication as needed.

Trigger Shot

Once your follicles have matured, we will instruct you to inject a shot of hCG, the "pregnancy hormone." This will induce ovulation in about 36 hours.

Egg Retrieval

Your egg retrieval appointment will coincide with ovulation. During this appointment, we will administer sedation to keep you comfortable as we extract your eggs.

Fertilization

Your eggs will mature in our lab for a few days until they are introduced to the partner or donor sperm. The fertilized eggs will be cultured for three to five days. The healthiest embryos will be chosen for transfer to the uterus.

Embryo Transfer

One to three embryos will be transferred to the uterus. The embryo transfer is less invasive than the egg retrieval. During the embryo transfer, a speculum will be placed in the vagina, a catheter will be placed through the cervix, and the embryos will be placed in the uterus for implantation.

Pregnancy Test

Fourteen days after the embryo transfer, you will take a blood pregnancy test to measure the amount of hCG in your blood. If the test is positive, you will provide another blood sample in a few days so we can make sure your hCG levels are rising at a healthy rate.

Questions? Send Us a Message

What's the Success Rate for IVF?

The success rate for this assisted reproductive technology is about 50 percent for patients ages 35 and under. For patients who are 42 or older, the success rate is about 4 percent.

Keep in mind that success depends on a variety of factors, such as your age, whose eggs you are using, and the reason you are undergoing IVF. Our reproductive team serving Southeast Nebraska will always be honest about your chances of achieving a healthy pregnancy.

Techniques Often Performed With IVF

These options can increase your chances of having a successful pregnancy how and when it works best for you.

"We are absolutely overjoyed." More Praise for Our Reproductive Doctors

I can not give Heartland Reproduction enough praise... This was a very uncomfortable (as it likely is for everyone) process to go through, but the staff, nurses and doctors made it comfortable for us every step of the way. They're especially great for LGBTQ+ families as they're a very diverse team themselves, including having an LGBTQ+ coordinator, and they treat you with equal respect from the first phone call to the last time you walk out of the building.

View on Google

My husband and I tried to conceive for nearly two years. We were referred to the Heartland Center for Reproductive Medicine by his urologist. From the moment we called, we knew we were in great hands! I was really disappointed when I found out our only option was IVF, but the optimism and kindness of Dr. Gustin, Dr. Constance and all the nurses there made me feel like it was all going to be okay... After our first transfer, we got the call that I was pregnant, and I was SHOCKED! I really didn't think it would work the first time. But we are absolutely overjoyed.

View on Google