Your Complete Guide to IVF Terminology
In vitro fertilization (IVF) involves fertilizing an egg with sperm outside the body and transferring the embryo into the uterus. Explore key terms to better understand each step of the journey. :contentReference[oaicite:1]{index=1}
🧬 Core IVF Terms
- IVF (In Vitro Fertilization): A series of procedures—ovarian stimulation, egg retrieval, lab fertilization, embryo culture, and transfer—that facilitate pregnancy :contentReference[oaicite:2]{index=2}.
- ICSI (Intracytoplasmic Sperm Injection): A specialized IVF technique where a single sperm is injected directly into an egg to aid fertilization :contentReference[oaicite:3]{index=3}.
- Embryo Cryopreservation: Freezing embryos (usually at blastocyst stage) for future transfer :contentReference[oaicite:4]{index=4}.
- Natural/Mild IVF: IVF performed without (or with minimal) ovarian stimulation, using one or few eggs :contentReference[oaicite:5]{index=5}.
🔍 Additional Fertility Terms
- GIFT (Gamete Intrafallopian Transfer): Eggs and sperm are placed together in a Fallopian tube so fertilization happens naturally in the body :contentReference[oaicite:6]{index=6}.
- Culture Medium: Nutrient solution used to grow sperm, eggs, or embryos outside the body :contentReference[oaicite:7]{index=7}.
- Transvaginal Oocyte Retrieval: Ultrasound-guided procedure to extract matured eggs from ovaries after stimulation :contentReference[oaicite:8]{index=8}.
📚 Acronyms & Jargon
Fertility conversations are filled with abbreviations like TWW, IDK, FET, etc. Resources such as Verywell Family's TTC cheat sheet and fertility clinic glossaries offer full lists of acronyms :contentReference[oaicite:9]{index=9}.
🗂️ How the IVF Process Works
- Ovarian stimulation: Medications used to encourage multiple eggs to mature.
- Trigger shot: hCG or GnRH agonist to finalize egg maturation before retrieval :contentReference[oaicite:10]{index=10}.
- Egg retrieval: Transvaginal aspiration of mature eggs :contentReference[oaicite:11]{index=11}.
- Fertilization: By conventional IVF or via ICSI :contentReference[oaicite:12]{index=12}.
- Embryo culture: Lab growth of fertilized eggs to cleavage stage or blastocyst :contentReference[oaicite:13]{index=13}.
- Embryo transfer: Insertion of embryo(s) into the uterus.
- Freezing: Extra embryos may be cryopreserved for later use :contentReference[oaicite:14]{index=14}.
🌟 Why It Matters
Knowing the terminology empowers you to make informed decisions, ask clarifying questions, and understand your treatment journey.