IVF Ultrasound Schedule
Infertility is a problem that affects millions of couples. While there are many fertility treatments that can improve the chance of pregnancy, few are as versatile or successful as in vitro fertilization, or IVF.
IVF assists through most of the stages of conception to help patients overcome a comprehensive range of fertility issues. At Los Angeles Reproductive Center, we customize each IVF treatment to the unique needs of our patients. One way we do this is by continually monitoring our patients throughout the stages of IVF, and making any adjustments that may be necessary.
IVF ultrasounds allow us to better personalize each phase of treatment. Here, patients can learn about the typical IVF ultrasound schedule they can expect at our Los Angeles, CA fertility center.
Baseline Ultrasound
A baseline ultrasound will be taken prior to the start of IVF treatment. This examination is taken during a woman’s monthly cycle. It gives our fertility specialists information regarding the health of the ovaries, and whether any mature eggs are being produced.
If issues, such as ovarian cysts, are found during a baseline ultrasound, additional treatment may be necessary before IVF can begin. However, if everything checks out as expected, we can proceed with IVF treatment.
Ultrasound for Fertility Drug Monitoring
The first stage of IVF treatment is ovarian stimulation. Patients will take fertility medication to stimulate the ovaries and encourage the production of mature follicles. In most cases, these medications are administered through injection.
To monitor the effects of these drugs, patients can expect multiple ultrasounds during this stage of treatment. Typically, the ultrasounds start three days after the fertility medication injections have started; follow-up ultrasounds will be scheduled every one to two days.
These ultrasounds provide information that allows us to either advance to the next stage of treatment or make changes to the fertility medication.
Ultrasound for Egg Retrieval
When mature eggs have been produced, our doctors will collect them so that they can be fertilized in our laboratory. To protect the eggs from damage, it is very important that this procedure is performed with extreme care and precision.
We use ultrasound to guide us throughout the egg retrieval process. Ultrasound serves as a visual guide that allows us to collect mature eggs without hurting them or any surrounding tissues.
Ultrasound for Embryo Transfer
Our fertility specialists will rely on ultrasound once again when it is time to transfer healthy embryos into the uterus. Ultrasound serves as a guide to ensure that the procedure goes smoothly.
Ultrasounds during Pregnancy
If a patient becomes pregnant, she will undergo additional ultrasounds that allow us to monitor the growth of the fetus. The first ultrasound is usually scheduled around the sixth or seventh week of pregnancy, which is about four to five weeks after the embryo transfer.
Follow-up ultrasounds are likely to be scheduled around week nine of the pregnancy and then again at week 12. After this ultrasound, it is typical to transfer prenatal care to the patient’s OB/GYN.
Learn More
If you are struggling with infertility, IVF may be just the solution you are looking for. To learn more about the IVF procedure, and whether you may be an ideal candidate for treatment, contact us at your earliest convenience. The experienced fertility specialists at Los Angeles Reproductive Center look forward to helping you achieve your dream of parenthood.
