After the eggs and sperm have been collected, the actual fertilization can occur. Usually, fertilization will be done through one of two methods. "In 'natural insemination' or coincubation, eggs and sperm are placed together in the IVF laboratory and allowed to bind," explains Carpenter. "In traditional IVF, the inseminated eggs grow in the embryology lab in an incubator." The other method is called ICSI (intracytoplasmic sperm injection) and was developed to treat male factor infertility. The process involves manual fertilization by injecting one sperm into each egg in the laboratory. "ICSI can be used to increase the fertilization rate in any IVF process depending on the expertise of the embryology lab and the cost assigned to the procedure," Carpenter says.
In both types of fertilization, the embryo typically matures in the lab. However, a new device called the INVOcell allows the embryo to develop in the woman's body. "The inseminated eggs are placed in the INVOcell in a woman's vagina," says Carpenter. "The woman's natural body temperature, pH, and motion are used to incubate the eggs. Patients appreciate this concept because they are intimately involved in the process of incubation and their embryos are with them at all times rather than in the embryology lab."
Knowing that fertilization is taking place can be stressful for many couples. "This is where working with your mindset and having tools to help you stay in a healthy headspace really start to be helpful," suggests King.
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