IVF (In-Vitro-Fertilization) is a type of fertility treatment where fertilization takes place outside the body. IVF is one of the most commonly used and successful treatments for people who are unable to conceive naturally.
The first step in IVF is taking fertility medications for several months to help your ovaries produce several eggs that are mature and ready for fertilization. This is called ovulation induction.
Once your ovaries have produced enough mature eggs, your doctor removes the eggs from your body (this is called egg retrieval).
In a lab, your eggs are mixed with sperm cells from your partner. The eggs and sperm are stored together in a special container, and fertilization happens. After the egg retrieval, 1 or more embryos are put into your uterus (this is called embryo transfer). The doctor slides a thin tube through your cervix into your uterus, and inserts the embryo directly into your uterus through the tube. Pregnancy happens if any of the embryos attach to the lining of your uterus.