In Vitro Fertilization (IVF) at American Reproductive Centers

• It can treat many causes of infertility including tubal blockage, problems with ovulation, problems with the way the sperm and egg interact, poor sperm quality or quantity, older patients, problems with the cervix, endometriosis, and recurrent pregnancy loss related to chromosomal abnormalities.
• Lab-created embryos can be tested and diagnosed for inheritable diseases such as cystic fibrosis, sickle cell disease, and chromosomal abnormalities such as Down Syndrome and Turner Syndrome, ensuring the embryo’s health & viability prior to embryo transfer.
• The highest success rate in achieving a pregnancy for couples. It also affords couples the option to store and freeze extra embryos that are created for future fertility.

Every IVF treatment plan is unique to our patients. For more information about In Vitro Fertilization, check out our FAQ.

Blocked or Damaged Fallopian Tubes

IVF completely bypasses the fallopian tubes. This makes it the ideal solution when tubes are blocked, damaged, or absent.

Severe Male Factor Infertility

When sperm count, motility, or morphology is significantly impaired, we combine IVF with ICSI (intracytoplasmic sperm injection). A single sperm is injected directly into each egg, dramatically improving fertilization rates.

Age-Related Infertility and Diminished Ovarian Reserve

IVF maximizes the potential of your remaining eggs. By retrieving multiple eggs at once and selecting the healthiest embryo, we give you the best possible chance of pregnancy.

Unexplained Infertility

When testing reveals no clear cause for infertility and less invasive treatments like IUI have not succeeded, IVF is often the next recommended step.

Severe Endometriosis

When surgery and IUI have not resulted in pregnancy, IVF provides a path forward by creating embryos in a controlled lab environment away from the inflammatory effects of endometriosis.

Recurrent Pregnancy Loss

IVF combined with preimplantation genetic testing (PGT-A) can screen embryos for chromosomal abnormalities. This helps identify the healthiest embryos and reduces miscarriage risk.

LGBTQ+ Family Building

IVF opens pathways to parenthood through reciprocal IVF for lesbian couples, egg donation and surrogacy for gay male couples, and donor gametes for all family structures.

Genetic Disease Prevention

IVF with PGT-M allows us to test embryos for specific inherited conditions. This prevents passing serious genetic diseases to your child.

Step 1: Consultation and Personalized Plan

We start with a comprehensive fertility evaluation, including bloodwork, ultrasound, and semen analysis if applicable.

Dr. Abdallah creates a customized medication protocol based on your age, diagnosis, ovarian reserve, and personal goals. Every patient receives an individualized treatment plan.

Step 2: Ovarian Stimulation (10 to 12 Days)

You will take daily injectable medications to stimulate your ovaries to grow multiple follicles. Each follicle contains one egg.

During this phase, you will come to our office every few days for monitoring appointments. We use ultrasound to measure follicle growth and blood tests to check hormone levels. This allows us to adjust your medication dosage in real time for optimal results.

Step 3: Egg Retrieval

When your follicles reach the right size, you will take a trigger shot that causes final egg maturation. The retrieval is scheduled exactly 36 hours later.

The procedure takes 15 to 20 minutes and is performed under light sedation. You will not feel any pain.

Dr. Abdallah uses ultrasound guidance to gently retrieve the eggs from each follicle. You will rest briefly and go home the same day. Most patients return to normal activities within one to two days.

Step 4: Fertilization and Embryo Culture

On the day of your retrieval, the eggs are immediately brought to our laboratory. Our embryologists assess the eggs and fertilize them with sperm.

Standard insemination means the eggs and sperm are placed together in a dish, and fertilization occurs naturally.

ICSI (intracytoplasmic sperm injection) means a single sperm is injected directly into each mature egg. We use ICSI when sperm quality is low or if there has been poor fertilization in a prior cycle. The embryos are then cultured in carefully controlled incubators for five to seven days. We monitor their development daily. By day five or six, healthy embryos reach the blastocyst stage.

Step 5: Preimplantation Genetic Testing (Optional)

If you choose PGT-A testing, our embryologists perform a biopsy on each blastocyst. A few cells are removed and sent to a genetics lab for chromosomal analysis. This tells us which embryos are euploid (chromosomally normal) and which are aneuploid (abnormal). Transferring a euploid embryo significantly improves success rates and reduces miscarriage risk. While the biopsy samples are being analyzed, all embryos are frozen using vitrification. Results typically return in seven to ten days.

Step 6: Embryo Transfer (Fresh or Frozen)

Fresh transfer means the embryo is transferred five days after your egg retrieval. This only happens if you are not doing PGT-A testing and your hormone levels are optimal.

Frozen transfer means your embryos are frozen after development and transferred in a separate cycle. This is required if you do PGT-A testing or if your body needs time to recover after stimulation.

The transfer itself is quick and painless, similar to a pap smear. A thin catheter containing the embryo is gently guided through your cervix into your uterus under ultrasound guidance. The embryo is deposited in the optimal location.

You will rest for 10 to 15 minutes and then resume normal activities. No bed rest is required.

Step 7: Pregnancy Testing

Nine to ten days after the transfer, you will return for a blood test to measure your hCG level (pregnancy hormone).

If positive, we will monitor you with additional blood tests and an early ultrasound to confirm a healthy pregnancy. Once we see a strong heartbeat, you will graduate to your regular obstetrician for prenatal care.

If negative, we will schedule a follow-up consultation to review the cycle and discuss next steps.