Many people dream of being able to raise a family of their own. However, having a child does not come easy for those who are experiencing fertility problems. Dr. James Douglas and his staff understand how important infertility treatment is for couples and individuals who are unable to conceive, which is why they have devoted their careers to helping patients make their dreams of parenthood come true. We offer in vitro fertilization (IVF) and intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) treatments to Plano-, Dallas-, McKinney-, and Frisco-area patients using the latest technology. This, combined with 17 years of experience, helps to ensure a high rate of healthy, successful pregnancies.
One of the most widely known examples of assisted reproductive technology, in vitro fertilization, or IVF. It is an infertility treatment in which an egg is fertilized in the IVF laboratory and then transferred into the woman's uterus once it has reached the embryo stage. This procedure gives new hope to couples who are unable to conceive naturally.
In vitro fertilization (IVF) at our Plano and Frisco practice near Dallas and McKinney is an effective treatment for infertile couples trying to achieve pregnancy. Individuals with ovulation dysfunction, damaged or blocked fallopian tubes, low sperm count or other sperm problems, or endometriosis, as well as those who carry genetic diseases, are also good candidates for IVF treatment. In addition, couples who have faced multiple miscarriages or those who are experiencing age-related diminished fertility can use IVF treatment to try to conceive. Dr. Douglas can help determine whether in vitro fertilization is a good treatment option in your specific case.
In vitro fertilization involves a number of steps that require much time and commitment from the both individuals and couples.
There are four main stages in the IVF treatment process that we will explain at our Plano and Frisco offices near Dallas and McKinney:
Stage 1: Ovulation Induction
The woman will begin taking fertility medications to induce ovulation. Because the chances of a successful embryo implantation in the uterus are greater when several eggs are collected, fertility medications promote the simultaneous maturation of multiple eggs for harvest. Fertility medications are usually taken for seven to twelve days, and the woman's progress is monitored by state-of-the-art ultrasound and hormone testing.
Stage 2: Egg Harvesting
Once the eggs are mature, they are harvested by an ultrasound-guided aspiration technique. During the procedure, an ultrasound probe is placed in the vagina while a tiny needle is passed through the wall of the vagina and into each ovarian follicle. The eggs are gently sucked out through the needle. Dr. Douglas usually retrieves between eight and fifteen eggs, which are then transferred into test tubes for examination. Eggs harvested from donors can also be used for in vitro fertilization.
Stage 3: Insemination, Fertilization, and Cell Division
During this stage of IVF treatment, the male partner produces a sample of his sperm, which is analyzed, prepared, and placed with the eggs. A certain number of sperm are placed with each egg and left in an incubator for 18 hours for fertilization. In some cases in which male factor infertility is evident, an individual sperm can be injected directly into each egg in a process known as intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) at the Presbyterian of Plano ARTS Center.
Once the sperm has fertilized the egg, it is called an embryo. The embryo, which starts off as a single cell, divides into two, then four, and so forth. A healthy embryo has approximately eight cells on the third day, and more than 100 cells by the fifth day. During this time, the embryo is termed a blastocyst. Blastocysts are more likely to implant and produce a pregnancy; because of this, the number of embryos transferred into the uterus is limited because of the high risk for multiple births.
If the couple wishes to undergo preimplantation genetic diagnosis (PGD), screening will be done before the embryos are transferred into the uterus. PGD is a sophisticated and advanced procedure used to test for genetic or chromosomal abnormalities in embryos developed by couples who have had problems with repetitive miscarriage or who are at risk for passing on inherited genetic diseases.
Stage 4: Embryo Transfer
Finally, a thin catheter is used to carefully transfer the embryos through the cervix and into the uterine cavity in a process similar to intrauterine insemination. The male partner is encouraged to be present during this stage, and the entire procedure takes approximately 15 minutes. Embryos that were not transferred at this time may be frozen for later use.
After embryo transfer, the woman will remain lying on her back for approximately one hour. She must have someone accompany her home, and she should rest for at least 24 hours after the procedure. She will begin daily progesterone injections following the egg collection to increase the likelihood of a successful embryo implantation. A scheduled follow-up exam and pregnancy test will determine the success of the procedure.
If you are interested in scheduling an initial consultation for infertility testing or in vitro fertilization (IVF) treatment, contact our Plano or Frisco offices, serving McKinney, Dallas, and Allen.
Intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) at Presbyterian of Plano ARTS Department is a revolutionary micromanipulation procedure used to treat severe male factor infertility, allowing couples to bypass sperm defects and achieve a successful pregnancy. ICSI is performed in conjunction with in vitro fertilization and delivers high fertilization success rates for infertile couples.
The ICSI procedure is a beneficial treatment option for men who have infertility problems and are unable to produce adequate sperm. This includes men with reduced sperm count, deformed sperm, or poor sperm motility. ICSI treatment is also helpful for men who have undergone an unsuccessful vasectomy reversal.
ICSI at Presbyterian of Plano ARTS Department occurs during stage three of the in vitro fertilization process. During the ICSI procedure, sperm from the male partner is obtained through normal ejaculation or through sperm retrieval procedures such as percutaneous epididymal sperm aspiration (PESA), microepididymal sperm aspiration (MESA), or testicular sperm extraction (TESE). Next, a single sperm is selected from the sample and picked up by a very small, hollow needle. The sperm is then injected through the shell of an egg and into its center to achieve fertilization. This process eliminates the need for the sperm to penetrate the egg. After confirmation of fertilization, the resulting embryo is transferred into the woman's uterus.
Our practice uses state-of-the-art equipment during the ICSI procedure to ensure the most successful results possible. For more information about ICSI at our Plano practice, contact Dr. Douglas today.
Dr. James Douglas has trained in the most advanced IVF and ICSI techniques. Please take some time to read over our IVF and ICSI success rates, as well as testimonials from actual couples we have helped at our practice.
Intracytoplasmic sperm induction (ICSI) and in vitro fertilization (IVF) at our Plano and Frisco offices, also serving Dallas and McKinney are among the most advanced infertility treatments offered today. With his experience and expertise, Dr. Douglas is able to achieve consistently excellent results for his patients. Contact our practice today to set up an appointment to discuss IVF or ICSI treatment.
Please fill out the form below to schedule a consultation for in vitro fertilization (IVF) or ICSI at our Plano practice near Dallas and McKinney.
James W. Douglas, M.D.
4001 West 15th Street, Suite
425
Plano, Texas 75093
Phone: (972) 612-2500