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In Vitro Fertilization (IVF) in San Francisco

A Beautiful Combination

55 Francisco Street, #300, San Francisco, California, 94133

In Vitro Fertilization (IVF) assists couples facing infertility challenges in conceiving a child. This process involves combining eggs and sperm outside the body, creating embryos that are then transferred to the uterus for implantation. IVF offers hope to many families by addressing various fertility issues, using personalized treatment plans tailored to each patient's unique needs and circumstances.

With advancements in technology and compassionate care, HRC Fertility is dedicated to supporting individuals on their journey toward parenthood, honoring each step with expertise and understanding.

In Vitro Fertilization (IVF)
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IVF Treatment at HRC Fertility

Expert Personalized Care

In vitro fertilization (IVF) is one of the most widely used and carefully studied fertility treatments. At HRC Fertility, IVF is one of several options we may recommend, depending on your health history, test results, and family-building goals.

Our physicians draw on decades of clinical experience and advanced training in reproductive endocrinology and infertility to design treatment plans that fit your specific situation. IVF may be considered after other treatments, such as timed intercourse or intrauterine insemination (IUI), or as an early option when certain medical factors are present.

From your first consultation through embryo transfer and follow-up care, your HRC Fertility team focuses on clear communication, evidence-based recommendations, and support at each step. If you are considering IVF in San Francisco, our goal is to help you understand your options so you can make informed decisions about your care.

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On this page What Is IVF Why IVF Your Treatment Lab Care IVF FAQs Consultation

IVF At a Glance

  • Treatment Type: In vitro fertilization (IVF) is an assisted reproductive technology in which eggs are fertilized with sperm in a laboratory, and resulting embryos are transferred to the uterus.
  • Downtime: Most patients can continue daily activities during the IVF cycle, with a short rest period recommended after egg retrieval and embryo transfer.
  • Results: Pregnancy is typically assessed about two weeks after embryo transfer. Multiple cycles may be recommended based on age, diagnosis, and response to treatment.
  • Duration: A single IVF cycle, from the start of ovarian stimulation medications through pregnancy testing, usually spans several weeks.

What Is In Vitro Fertilization?

Your IVF Path, Explained

In vitro fertilization (IVF) is a fertility treatment in which eggs are retrieved from the ovaries, combined with sperm in a laboratory, and then monitored as they develop into embryos. One or more embryos may later be transferred into the uterus in the hope of achieving a pregnancy.

IVF can be used in many situations, including blocked or damaged fallopian tubes, certain types of male factor infertility, ovulation disorders, unexplained infertility, and for patients using donor eggs, donor sperm, or a gestational carrier. Your physician will review your medical history and testing to help determine whether IVF is an appropriate option.

How does IVF work?

During IVF, medications are used to encourage the ovaries to produce multiple mature eggs. These eggs are retrieved through a minor procedure and brought to the laboratory, where they are combined with sperm. Embryologists monitor fertilization and embryo development, and one or more embryos may be transferred into the uterus several days later. Any additional suitable embryos may be frozen for potential future use.

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Why Patients Choose IVF

Finding Fertility

Your HRC Fertility physician will review the potential benefits and limitations of IVF in the context of your age, diagnosis, and reproductive goals. Together, you can decide whether IVF aligns with your preferences and medical needs.

People consider IVF for many different reasons. For some, IVF offers a way to work around blocked fallopian tubes or significantly reduced sperm counts. For others, it provides more information about egg quality and embryo development, or allows the use of donor eggs, donor sperm, or a gestational carrier as part of family building.

IVF may be considered if:

  • You have blocked, damaged, or absent fallopian tubes.
  • There is moderate to severe male factor infertility, such as low sperm count or motility.
  • You have tried other treatments, such as ovulation induction or IUI, without success.
  • You are planning to use donor eggs, donor sperm, or a gestational carrier.
  • You wish to consider preimplantation genetic testing (PGT) for certain inherited conditions or chromosomal screening.
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What is the In Vitro Fertilization procedure like?

In Vitro, Explained

When you are ready, you will receive a carefully timed injection to help the eggs complete their final maturation. Egg retrieval is then scheduled within a specific window to align with this timing. HRC Fertility also offers needle-free IVF for qualified patients who wish to avoid injections.

The first phase of an IVF cycle typically involves ovarian stimulation. You will take fertility medications that encourage your ovaries to develop multiple follicles, each of which may contain an egg. This allows your care team to retrieve more than one egg during the cycle, which can increase the number of embryos available.

Throughout this phase, you will have monitoring appointments that may include blood tests and ultrasound exams. These visits help your physician adjust medication doses as needed and determine when your follicles have reached the appropriate size for egg retrieval.

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Preparing for Egg Retrieval

As your monitoring shows that your follicles are approaching maturity, your care team will confirm the date and time of your egg retrieval. You will receive instructions about when to take your trigger injection, when to stop eating and drinking before the procedure, and what to expect on the day of retrieval.

The Egg Retrieval Procedure

Egg retrieval is usually performed in an outpatient setting. You will receive sedation so you remain comfortable. Using ultrasound guidance, the physician gently passes a thin needle through the vaginal wall into each follicle to collect the fluid that contains the eggs. The procedure generally takes less than an hour, and most patients go home the same day after a short recovery period.

Fertilization and Embryo Culture

Immediately after retrieval, the eggs are taken to the IVF laboratory. Depending on your treatment plan, eggs may be combined with sperm in a dish or fertilized using intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI), where a single sperm is injected into each mature egg. Embryologists then monitor fertilization and embryo development over the following days.

Embryo Transfer

Embryo transfer is a brief procedure that typically does not require anesthesia. A thin catheter is passed through the cervix into the uterus, and one or more embryos are placed under ultrasound guidance. You may rest for a short time afterward and then resume most normal activities, following any specific instructions from your physician.

After Transfer and Testing

Following embryo transfer, you will continue certain medications as directed to support the uterine lining. A blood test is usually scheduled about two weeks later to check for pregnancy. Your team will review the results with you and discuss next steps, whether that involves early pregnancy care or considering additional options.

Advanced IVF Laboratory Care

Technology Supporting Every Embryo

Depending on your treatment plan, your physician may also discuss options such as embryo freezing, preimplantation genetic testing (PGT), or the use of donor eggs or sperm. These services are integrated with our laboratory processes to help ensure continuity of care.

HRC Fertility’s IVF laboratory is designed to support stable, well-controlled conditions for eggs, sperm, and embryos. Our team uses specialized equipment and monitoring systems to maintain consistent temperature, air quality, and culture environments throughout the IVF process.

What is preimplantation genetic testing (PGT)?

Preimplantation genetic testing (PGT) involves analyzing cells from an embryo to provide information about specific genetic conditions or chromosomal patterns before embryo transfer. If PGT is part of your plan, embryos are grown to a certain stage, a small number of cells are carefully removed, and the sample is sent to a specialized laboratory. Your HRC Fertility physician will review the results with you and discuss how they may inform embryo selection.

Intracytoplasmic Sperm Injection (ICSI)

ICSI is a specialized laboratory technique in which a single sperm is injected directly into each mature egg. This method may be recommended when there are concerns about sperm count, movement, or shape, or in certain cases of prior fertilization failure. Your physician and embryology team will advise whether ICSI is appropriate for your situation.

Assisted Hatching

Assisted hatching involves creating a small opening in the outer shell of an embryo before transfer. In some cases, this may help the embryo expand and implant in the uterine lining. This technique is not used for every patient, and your care team will explain if and why it is being considered in your treatment plan.

Donor Eggs and Donor Sperm

Some patients build their families using donor eggs, donor sperm, or both. HRC Fertility works with established donor programs and sperm banks to coordinate this care. Your physician will review medical, legal, and logistical considerations so you can decide whether donor options align with your goals and values.

Gestational Carrier Cycles

For patients who cannot safely carry a pregnancy or who are building families in other ways, such as some LGBTQ+ families, IVF cycles may be coordinated with a gestational carrier. In these cases, embryos created through IVF are transferred to the uterus of a gestational carrier who has undergone her own medical screening. Your HRC Fertility team will outline the steps and collaborate with any involved agencies or professionals.

Fertility Medications and IVF Alternatives

Treatment Options Beyond IVF

IVF is not the starting point for every patient. Depending on your diagnosis, age, and preferences, your physician may suggest fertility medications alone or in combination with intrauterine insemination (IUI) as an initial approach. These treatments can help stimulate ovulation, improve timing, and increase the chances that sperm and egg meet in the reproductive tract.

  • Oral medications that encourage ovulation in patients who do not ovulate regularly.
  • Injectable gonadotropins to stimulate the ovaries under close monitoring.
  • Intrauterine insemination (IUI), in which prepared sperm is placed directly into the uterus around the time of ovulation.
  • Combination protocols that use medications and IUI together, tailored to your specific needs.
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Schedule your IVF Consultation

Talk With an HRC Fertility Physician

If you are thinking about IVF in San Francisco, a consultation with an HRC Fertility physician is the best way to understand what this treatment could look like for you. During this visit, your doctor will review your history, explain testing, and outline realistic options based on your medical situation.

Our goal is to give you clear information, answer your questions, and help you decide on a path that feels right. Whether IVF is recommended now or later, you will leave with a better understanding of your choices and the support available to you.

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In Vitro Fertilization

Frequently Asked Questions

How Long Does an IVF Cycle Take?

A typical IVF cycle, from the start of ovarian stimulation medications through the pregnancy blood test, usually spans 4-8 weeks. You may have a month of preparation or testing beforehand, and additional time is needed if you pursue more than one cycle or choose to freeze embryos for later use. Your physician can outline a timeline based on your specific plan.

How Many IVF Cycles Might I Need?

The number of IVF cycles recommended varies from person to person. Age, egg and sperm quality, underlying diagnoses, and how you respond to medications all play a role. Some patients achieve a pregnancy with one cycle, while others may need multiple attempts. Your HRC Fertility physician will review your results after each cycle and discuss whether another cycle is appropriate.

What Are the Common Side Effects of IVF?

Many patients experience temporary side effects from IVF medications, such as bloating, mood changes, breast tenderness, or mild discomfort around the time of egg retrieval. More serious risks, including ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome (OHSS) or complications from procedures, are less common but important to understand. Your care team will review potential risks with you and monitor you throughout treatment.

Can IVF be used for male infertility?

Yes, IVF can be an effective option for addressing male infertility. When a man has low sperm count or motility issues, IVF is often combined with Intracytoplasmic Sperm Injection (ICSI), where a single healthy sperm is injected directly into the egg to facilitate fertilization. This approach enhances the chances of conception by overcoming barriers that might prevent natural fertilization. While not a guarantee, it offers hope for many couples facing male fertility challenges, allowing them to pursue their dream of starting a family.

How Much Does IVF Cost?

The cost of IVF depends on several factors, including the specific medications used, whether procedures such as ICSI or PGT are part of your plan, and how many cycles you pursue. Insurance coverage also varies. Our financial counselors can review estimated fees, discuss any available packages, and help you understand your benefits before you begin treatment.

What happens to the remaining embryos after IVF?

After IVF, any remaining embryos can be cryopreserved (frozen) for future use, offering flexibility for additional attempts without undergoing another full cycle. This process is safe and maintains the embryo's viability over time. Cryopreservation ensures that you have choices and control over your reproductive journey while considering ethical and emotional factors unique to each situation.

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