QuestionI would like to know what is the difference between in vitro fertilization and artificial insemination? is it the same thing? I would also like to know, what are the success rates for in vitro? and if a woman has a child through this method, what is the wating period for her to have a second child by the same method?
Thanks
AnswerHello Kim from Canada,
Let me answer your last question first since it is the simplest to answer. After ANY pregnancy, conceived naturally or by fertility treatment, the soonest you could become pregnant is as soon as your ovaries begin to cycle again. If you breast feed, this can delay ovarian function, although with IVF we can still stimulate the ovaries at this time. I will usually have my patients stop breast feeding and wait for the first period before planning the next treatment cycle. There is no other physiological reason to wait.
In answer to your first question, IVF and IUI are totally different. IUI (artifical insemination) is when the ovaries are mildly stimulated to induce the ovulation of 2-3 eggs at at time and the sperm is then injected into the uterus around the time of ovulation. This is a totally "natural" treatment method which means that you body still has to accomplish the 9 step proces to achieve pregnancy on its own. On the other hand, IVF is a totally artificial process because we take the eggs out of the body and allow the remainder of the process, up to step 8, to be accomplished in the lab. Because we are doing most of the steps needed to achieve pregnancy, the chanced of success in each cycle is much higher than trying naturally. The maximum chance of pregnancy with IUI is 24% if you are under 35 years old, whereas, it is as high as 74% with IVF in that age group. Here's a little chart to compare the two treatment processes. IVF is checked if it accomplishes the same process as the natural process, eventhough it may be done differently.
IUI IVF
1. Ovary is stimulated to grow eggs. X X
2. Ovulation occurs (eggs leave the ovary) X X
3. Eggs fall into the pelvis and have to find one of the Fallopian tubes X
4. Egg is picked up by the Fallopian tube. X
5. Sperm has to be in the tube waiting for the egg for fertilization to occur. X
When the egg and sperm meet, fertilization occurs (merging of the sperm and egg). X
6. egg develops into an embryo.
7. Egg moves down the tube and enters the uterus. X
8. Embryo has to hatch out of the shell and Embryo attaches to the uterine lining
9. Endometrial lining grows around the
embryo (implantation).
I noted that when the answer was sent that the X's did not line up. The first set of X's go under IUI and the second under IVF.
Good Luck,
Edward J. Ramirez, M.D., FACOG
Executive Medical Director
The Fertility and Gynecology Center
Monterey Bay IVF Program
www.montereybayivf.com
Monterey, California, U.S.A.
for additional information check out my blog at http://womenshealthandfertility.blogspot.com check me out on twitter with me at @montereybayivf, and follow me on Facebook at http://bit.ly/9Iw9oV
