In vitro fertilization (IVF)

Provided by: Healthwise
60% of users found this article helpful.

In vitro fertilization (IVF) is a procedure that involves collecting a woman's eggs from her ovaries and fertilizing them with sperm in a laboratory. The resulting fertilized eggs are then transferred to the uterus through the cervix.

Any embryos that implant in the uterus may then result in pregnancy and the birth of one or more infants.

Author:Bets Davis, MFA
Medical Review:Joy Melnikow, MD, MPH - Family Medicine
Kathleen Romito, MD - Family Medicine
Kirtly Jones, MD - Obstetrics and Gynecology
Last Updated: 04/07/2006

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