Ovulation Induction (OI) is a process used to stimulate the ovaries to produce eggs in women who may have difficulty ovulating on their own. At Midstream Fertility Clinic, we utilize several methods to assist with ovulation induction, tailored to each patient’s specific needs.
- Initial Assessment: Before beginning OI, you’ll undergo a thorough evaluation to assess your overall health and fertility status. This typically includes a medical history review, physical examination, and various tests such as hormone level measurements and ultrasound imaging to evaluate ovarian function.
- Ovarian Stimulation: The first step in OI involves stimulating the ovaries to produce multiple eggs. This is usually achieved through the use of fertility medications such as Clomiphene Citrate or Gonadotropins. These medications are taken orally or administered by injection, depending on the protocol recommended for you. The goal is to encourage the growth and maturation of multiple follicles (fluid-filled sacs in the ovaries that contain eggs).
- Monitoring: Throughout the ovarian stimulation phase, you’ll undergo regular monitoring to assess your response to the medications and to track the development of follicles. This typically involves serial transvaginal ultrasound scans to measure follicle size and blood tests to monitor hormone levels, such as estradiol and luteinizing hormone (LH).
- Timing of Ovulation: Once the follicles reach a certain size and your hormone levels indicate that they are mature, a trigger medication (such as human chorionic gonadotropin, hCG) may be administered to induce ovulation. This medication mimics the natural surge of LH that triggers ovulation.
- Timed Intercourse or Assisted Reproductive Techniques: Following the trigger injection, timed intercourse or assisted reproductive techniques such as intrauterine insemination (IUI) may be recommended to optimize the chances of conception. Timed intercourse involves having intercourse around the time of ovulation, while IUI involves placing washed and concentrated sperm directly into the uterus around the time of ovulation.
- Luteal Phase Support: After ovulation, you may be prescribed medications to support the luteal phase of your menstrual cycle. These medications, such as progesterone supplements, help support the uterine lining and promote embryo implantation.
- Monitoring and Pregnancy Testing: Following ovulation, you’ll continue to be monitored to assess for signs of pregnancy. This may involve blood tests to measure pregnancy hormone levels (beta-hCG) and ultrasound scans to visualize early pregnancy development.
Throughout the entire process, our team at Midstream Fertility Clinic will provide personalized care and support, guiding you through each step and addressing any questions or concerns you may have along the way. Our goal is to optimize your chances of achieving a successful pregnancy while ensuring your safety and well-being.