CATEGORY:  IVF

Source for definitions:  webmd.com; womenshealth.about.com; wisegeek.com; wikipedia.org

 

Blastocyst:  A blastocyst is an embryo which has developed to the point of having two different cell components and a fluid cavity.

 

Clomid (Clomiphene):   A fertility drug that increases the chance of pregnancy.  It helps woman ovulate (produce a mature egg) during their cycle.

 

Cryopreservation:  A process where cells or tissues are preserved by freezing at very low temperatures.

 

Embryo:  In humans, the prefetal product of conception from implantation through the eighth week of development.

 

Endometrium Lining:   The endometrium functions as the lining for the uterus.  During the phase of the menstrual cycle, the endometrium thickens in preparation to accept an embryo.

 

Estrogen:  Estrogen is a female hormone produced by the ovaries.  Estrogen is an essential part of a woman’s reproductive process. It regulates the menstrual cycle and prepares the uterus for pregnancy by enriching and thickening the endometrium. Two hormones, the luteinizing hormone (LH) and the follicle stimulating hormone (FSH), help to control how the body produces estrogen in women who ovulate.

 

Gestational Surrogate:  A process by which a woman will carry the baby for another woman.  The gestational surrogate is not genetically related to the child.  Eggs are extracted from the intended mother, and fertilized with the sperm of the intended father.  The embryos are then transferred to the gestational carriers uterus.

 

Hormones:  Hormones carry messages from glands to cells to maintain chemical levels in the bloodstream that achieve homeostasis.

 

IVF:  In vitro fertilization (IVF) is a process by which egg cells are fertilized by sperm outside the womb, in-vitro. IVF is a major treatment in infertility when other methods of assisted reproductive technology have failed. The process involves hormonally controlling the ovulatory process, removing ova (eggs) from the woman’s ovaries and letting sperm fertilize them in a fluid medium. The fertilized egge (zygote) is then transferred to the patient’s uterus with the intent to establish a successful pregnancy.  

  

Infertility:  Infertility is when a couple is unable to conceive a child naturally

 

 

Intrauterine Insemination (IUI):  This is a procedure that involves concentrating the semen sample into a small volume and then placing it into the uterine cavity.  IUI is also known as Artificial Insemination (AI).  In rare instances the semen is placed in the cervix or vagina.

 

 

OB/GYN:  OB/GYN is an abbreviation for obstetrician/gynecologist. An OB/GYN’s job is to screen for certain diseases including cancers of the breasts, cervix, uterus, vagina and surrounding area. Another important part of an OB/GYN’s job is to diagnose and treat female reproductive health issues that include sexually transmitted diseases, menstrual issues, diseases of the breasts, uterus, fallopian tubes, and ovaries, as well as fertility problems, and premenstrual syndrome and menopause related issues.

 

 

Polycystic Ovaries (PCOS):  Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS), also known as Stein-Leventhal Syndrome, is a condition in which a woman produces too many male hormones and too few female hormones, causing irregular or rare ovulation, and at times anovulation, or no ovulation at all.

 

Progesterone:  Progesterone is a hormone produced in the body which helps to regulate the menstrual cycle of women.