IVF involves ovarian stimulation, egg retrieval under sedation, fertilization in the laboratory (conventionally or by ICSI), several days of embryo culture, and transfer of an embryo to the uterus. Surplus suitable embryos can be frozen for later transfer. Age at egg retrieval is the strongest single predictor of outcome.
Fertility Glossary
IVF (in vitro fertilization)
Eggs are retrieved and fertilized in a laboratory, and an embryo is transferred to the uterus.