Legal Definitions - IVF

Definition: IVF stands for In Vitro Fertilization. It is a medical procedure used to help couples who are struggling with infertility to conceive a child. During IVF, eggs are removed from the woman's ovaries and fertilized with sperm in a laboratory. The resulting embryos are then transferred back into the woman's uterus in the hopes of a successful pregnancy.

Example: Sarah and John have been trying to have a baby for years, but have been unsuccessful. They decide to try IVF and go to a fertility clinic. Sarah undergoes hormone treatments to stimulate her ovaries to produce multiple eggs. The eggs are then retrieved and fertilized with John's sperm in a laboratory. After a few days, the embryos are transferred back into Sarah's uterus. A few weeks later, Sarah finds out she is pregnant.

Explanation: The example illustrates the process of IVF and how it can help couples who are struggling with infertility to conceive a child. It shows the steps involved in the procedure, from the hormone treatments to the retrieval of eggs, fertilization in a laboratory, and transfer of embryos back into the woman's uterus. It also shows the potential outcome of a successful pregnancy.