In Vitro Fertilization (IVF) is the treatment of choice for couples with nonreparable tubal disease or severe male factor infertility as well as for all other causes, including unexplained infertility, when conventional treatment has not been successful. During the IVF process, the ovaries are stimulated with injectable fertility medications to mature multiple eggs. Once monitoring with ultrasound and blood tests indicate that the eggs are ready, they are collected nonsurgically with an ultrasound-guided needle under deep sedation. The procedure takes about 20 minutes and is painless. Fertilization is accomplished by exposing the eggs to sperm in a culture dish, or by directly injecting a single sperm into each mature egg (intracytoplasmic sperm injection - ICSI). After fertilization, embryo development is monitored over the next 3-5 days at which time usually 2 to 3 embryos are placed into the uterus with a small catheter throught the cervix. Excess embryos may be frozen for future use.For further deatils read IVF CYCLE.