In Vitro Fertilization

Many couples face problems achieving pregnancy naturally. About one in eight couples are unable to conceive after a year of trying.

For many who are unable to conceive naturally, having a child is still very much possible through in vitro fertilization (IVF).

Learn more about how IVF at Heartland Center for Reproductive Medicine in Omaha, NE, can help you grow your family...

What Is IVF?

IVF is an assisted reproductive technique in which eggs are retrieved from the ovarian follicles and then fertilized with sperm in a laboratory. After a few days, the healthiest embryo or embryos are transferred to the uterus, where they can implant and grow, resulting in a successful pregnancy and live birth.

ivf

The Many Benefits of IVF

We Can Control the Timing

For some patients, ovulation problems, irregular menstrual cycles, and even busy schedules can make timing intercourse difficult. With IVF, eggs are retrieved and fertilized at the most ideal time.

Assists In Many Stages of Conception

From encouraging the production of multiple eggs to helping fertilization and supporting implantation, IVF assists in more stages of conception than any other reproductive technique.

Can Help You Have a Healthy Baby

IVF can be combined with preimplantation genetic testing to screen embryos for certain conditions such as chromosomal issues. This can benefit patients with a history of genetic diseases.

Can Help Most Patients

Some people face additional challenges when trying to have a baby. Same-sex couples, single men or women, and patients with female or male fertility problems can improve their chances of having a child with IVF.

Excellent Success Rates

IVF may work when other fertility treatments, such as intrauterine insemination, fail. Success rates are higher among patients under the age of 35, but women in their late 30s and early 40s can achieve pregnancy with IVF.

"We Are So Thankful."

1

Sara Cooper

2021

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Our family is beyond thankful for everything Heartland has done for us over the last 9 months. They have been such a blessing to us! Without them, we’d have likely given up on the dream of growing our family. We always felt heard, known, and always received the most thorough explanation of any and all treatments, lab work, and scans. We felt very involved every step of the way. The positivity that radiates in this office cannot be beat. We’re so glad that we’ve trusted Dr. Gustin and her team to steer us in the right direction. We are so thankful that God put people on this earth to be His hands and feet. We are forever grateful for Heartland Center for Reproduction!

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Contact Us for More Information

Since 2000, the team at Heartland Center for Reproductive Medicine, PC, has provided state-of-the-art care according to the highest medical standards. Victoria Maclin, MD, FACOG, and Stephanie L.F. Gustin, MD, FACOG, are board-certified reproductive endocrinologists; Elizabeth Constance, MD, FACOG, is a board eligible reproductive endocrinologist. They, along with our IVF nurse practitioners and laboratory technologists, are committed to helping patients achieve their dream of parenthood.

If you're ready to meet with our team, please send us a message online today or call us in Omaha at:

(877) 831-3227

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Who Is a Candidate for IVF?

Prior to undergoing in vitro fertilization, we will perform comprehensive testing to determine if fertility problems are present. For the female patient, blood tests are performed to check the health of the ovarian reserve, and an HSG (hysterosalpingography) X-ray test identifies any abnormalities of the fallopian tubes and uterus. In addition, we will have the male patient provide a semen sample for analysis to check the health of the sperm. After testing is complete, we may recommend IVF for patients with:

Ovulation Problems

Ovulation Problems

Ovulation problems include PCOS, hypothalamic dysfunction, premature ovarian failure, and excess production of prolactin. These disorders cause women to ovulate less frequently or not at all. Ovulation disorders affect one in four infertile couples.

PCOS

PCOS

PCOS, or polycystic ovarian syndrome, is one of the more common ovulation disorders we see. It can result in irregular periods, elevated levels of androgen, and enlarged ovaries. Because women with PCOS often have fewer periods each year, it can be more difficult to become pregnant.

Male Factor Infertility

Male Factor Infertility

Male factor infertility problems such as low sperm count, low sperm motility, or abnormally shaped sperm can affect a couple's ability to get pregnant naturally. With IVF (which can be combined with ICSI), sperm are introduced directly to the eggs in the laboratory, increasing the chances of pregnancy.

Problems with the Fallopian Tubes

Problems with the Fallopian Tubes

Typically, eggs are fertilized in the fallopian tubes and the embryos travel to the uterus for implantation. This natural process is not possible for women with missing or blocked tubes. IVF bypasses the fallopian tubes completely, allowing for successful pregnancy.

Endometriosis

Endometriosis

Endometriosis is a condition in which endometrial tissue grows outside of the uterus. This results in scar tissue or adhesions that are in close proximity to the ovaries and fallopian tubes, impacting a woman's fertility.

Unexplained Infertility

Unexplained Infertility

When patients are unable to get pregnant after one year, infertility problems are the suspected cause. Unfortunately, some patients suffer from unexplained fertility for which no cause can be found. In these cases, IVF may be able to improve your chances by assisting with most stages of conception.

Failed Treatment

Failed Treatment

If patients have undergone failed fertility treatment with a medication such as Clomid, injectable drugs, or intrauterine insemination (IUI), we may recommend IVF. Because IVF assists with the fertilization process, many patients have success with this treatment.

Recurrent Miscarriage

Recurrent Miscarriage

Recurrent miscarriage refers to two or more consecutive pregnancy losses. For some patients who suffer multiple miscarriages, IVF may be performed on its own or along with genetic screening to improve your chances of having a successful pregnancy and live birth.

The IVF Process: Step-by-step

Baseline Ultrasound & Blood Test

When you begin your menstrual cycle, we will have you call our office so we can schedule your baseline ultrasound and blood test. The blood test will measure your hormone levels at the start of your IVF cycle; the ultrasound will check the ovaries and uterine lining. These baseline tests enable us to prescribe the appropriate type and amount of fertility medications, and help us see how you respond to these drugs as you proceed with treatment.

Ovarian Stimulation & Monitoring

Ovarian stimulation involves injections of fertility medications for eight to 12 days. The day that you start your fertility medication depends on factors that are unique to each patient. We will let you know when to start this phase of treatment. Once ovarian stimulation starts, we will have you come in for a blood test and ultrasound every other day so we can see how your ovaries and follicles are developing. Based on the results, we may adjust the dosage of your medication.

The Trigger Shot

When the follicles have matured, we will instruct you to inject the trigger shot of HCG. It is critical that patients inject the medication at the precise time indicated because it will induce ovulation about 34 hours later.

Egg Retrieval

We coordinate your egg retrieval appointment to coincide with ovulation. When you come in for this appointment, we will administer sedation so you feel calm and comfortable throughout the procedure. We will use an ultrasound probe to guide us in extracting the eggs with a very fine needle.

Fertilization

The eggs are given a brief maturation period in the laboratory, and then the partner or donor sperm is introduced. The fertilized eggs are cultured for a period of three to five days before the healthiest embryos are selected for transfer to the uterus.

Embryo Transfer

The number of embryos that are transferred depends on several factors, including the age and reproductive health of the patient. In most cases, between one and three embryos are transferred. The embryo transfer procedure is less invasive than the egg retrieval, with most patients comparing it to a pap smear. During the embryo transfer appointment, we will place a speculum in the vagina, and then insert a catheter through the cervix and into the uterus where the embryos are transferred for implantation.

Pregnancy Test

A blood pregnancy test will be taken 14 days after the egg retrieval appointment. This test measures the amount of HCG in the blood. If the test is positive, we will have the patient provide another blood sample in a couple of days to see if HCG levels continue to rise at a healthy level.

"I Cannot Imagine a Better Provider."

1

Karrie Mitchell-Freeman

2020

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Dr. Constance is the best. From being knowledgeable to compassionate and everything in between, I cannot imagine a better provider. We are due with our miracle baby in April.

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Contact Us to Learn More about In Vitro Fertilization

We are here to answer your questions about in vitro fertilization. To discuss the cost, the ancillary treatments that we provide such as genetic testing or intracytoplasmic sperm injection, or other aspects of IVF, send us a message online or call Heartland Center for Reproductive Medicine in Omaha at:

(877) 831-3227

IVF Success Rates

The Society for Assisted Reproductive Technology (SART) collects data on success rates for IVF. Here, we have posted IVF success rates from the organization's 2017 National Summary Report. This data is for the live birth of at least one infant among women who underwent one egg retrieval cycle using their own eggs for the following IVF cycle types:

Live Birth Rate after the First Transfer

Under 35: 40.5%
35 - 37: 31.6%
38 - 40: 21.5%
41 - 42: 11.2%
Over 42: 4.0%

Live Birth Rate per Second or Later Transfer

Under 35: 45.9%
35 - 37: 42.8%
38 - 40: 38.5%
41 - 42: 34.7%
Over 42: 28.6%

Cumulative Outcome for Any Transfer

Under 35: 54.7%
35 - 37: 40.6%
38 - 40: 25.6%
41 - 42: 12.8%
Over 42: 4.4%

Techniques Performed with IVF

Genetic Screening

Some prospective parents choose to have preimplantation genetic screening performed prior to embryo transfer to select the best embryos for transfer.

ICSI

Intracytoplasmic sperm injection, or ICSI, involves the injection of a single sperm into an egg to increase the chance of fertilization during the IVF process.

Cryopreservation

Some women choose to have their eggs frozen, or couples may want to have embryos frozen for future use. We offer both of these fertility preservation options.

"The Absolute Best Experience."

1

MC Sweet

2020

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The journey of fertility is made clear, supportive, and lovely by the team at Heartland. I had the absolute best experience from the moment I began at Heartland. I met with Dr. Gustin, Dr. Maclin, and the nursing staff at the start. Everyone was welcoming and professional. After having tried everything to get pregnant ourselves, going into Heartland was an answered prayer. My husband and I knew we were in the right place. During your fertility journey, you spend a lot of time with the staff, I got to know the team really well. They were so kind and informative, always supporting me and my choices. We went straight into IUI, but your unique treatments will be YOUR perfect fit. Our miracle baby Marigold was born in the summer of 2019. Dr. Gustin was so supportive and a leader on the path. I honestly needed someone to take my hand and lead the way. She did so in a way that empowered me to become the best mother I could be.

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Dr. Victoria Maclin

Heartland Center for Reproductive Medicine

Dr. Victoria Maclin is a board-certified reproductive endocrinologist committed to using state-of-the-art technology to perform effective fertility treatment. As a leader in her field, she serves as an authority on reproductive medicine:

  • She is an associate professor at UNMC and supervises OB/GYN resident education in reproductive endocrinology.
  • She has lectured throughout the United States and has served on many professional advisory boards.

Contact our practice online or call us at (877) 831-3227 to schedule a consultation.

Omaha Office

7308 S 142nd St
Omaha, NE 68138

Closed Today

Closed for Lunch from 12:00-1:00

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Each and every staff member at Heartland Center is tremendous. Dr. Maclin is a woman of grace, and a terrific medical doctor. She is a world-class surgeon, and we are so grateful to know her. Lene - IVF Patient

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*Disclaimer: results are not guaranteed, may not be permanent, and can vary per individual. Some images are of models, not actual patients.

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Omaha Office

7308 S 142nd St
Omaha, NE 68138

Closed Today

Closed for Lunch from 12:00-1:00

More Info Directions (402) 717-4200

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