The most advanced assisted reproductive technology tailored to your goals
In vitro fertilization, or IVF, is one of the most effective assisted reproductive technologies available, and for many patients, it’s the culmination of a diagnostic journey rather than the starting point. At Kofinas, an IVF clinic with its own on-site embryology lab, your eggs, sperm, and embryos are cared for under one roof from start to finish.
IVF is a process where eggs are retrieved from the ovaries and combined with sperm in a laboratory setting, outside the body, to create embryos. Once an embryo develops, it’s transferred into the uterus, where it may implant and result in pregnancy. IVF is used to treat many causes of infertility, including blocked or damaged fallopian tubes, male-factor infertility, endometriosis, ovulation disorders, and diminished ovarian reserve, and it’s also used by LGBTQ+ family builders and those using donor eggs, sperm, or a gestational carrier.
IVF is often considered after other, less involved treatments haven’t worked, or as a first-line option for certain diagnoses, such as blocked fallopian tubes or significant male-factor infertility. Your fertility evaluation will help determine whether IVF is the right next step for you, and if so, what specific protocol makes sense given your diagnosis and age. Age is also one of the biggest factors in outcomes; see IVF success rates by age.
Most IVF cycles begin with fertility medications that encourage the ovaries to develop multiple mature eggs in a single cycle, rather than the one egg typically released each month. During this phase, you’ll have regular monitoring, including bloodwork and transvaginal ultrasounds, to track how your ovaries are responding.
Once your eggs have matured, a retrieval procedure is performed under sedation. A thin needle is guided through the vaginal wall into the ovaries to collect the fluid, and eggs, from each developed follicle. Learn more about what to expect in our detailed guide on egg retrieval.
After retrieval, eggs are combined with sperm in our lab. Depending on sperm quality, this may happen through standard insemination, where sperm and egg are placed together, or through ICSI, where a single sperm is injected directly into the egg (see our ICSI vs. IVF comparison). Our embryologists monitor fertilization and early embryo development over the following days.
Embryos are typically transferred into the uterus three to five days after retrieval, through a quick, in-office procedure that doesn’t require anesthesia. Any remaining embryos of sufficient quality can be frozen for potential future use. Patients who want to preserve fertility without creating embryos can also explore egg freezing.
IVF can address a wider range of fertility diagnoses than less invasive treatments like IUI, including situations where the fallopian tubes are blocked or where fertilization needs direct laboratory support. It also allows for additional options, such as preimplantation genetic testing, for patients who want it.
Like any medical treatment, IVF carries some risks. Fertility medications can cause bloating, mood changes, and other side effects, and in rare cases can lead to ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome, a condition involving fluid buildup that ranges from mild to more serious. IVF also involves real physical, emotional, and financial demands, and your care team will talk with you honestly about what to expect at every stage. For help planning ahead, visit our insurance and financial page.
One of the ways Kofinas differs from many IVF clinics is that our embryology lab operates on-site, under the same roof as your clinical care, rather than being outsourced to an outside facility. This means your eggs, sperm, and embryos are handled by our own team throughout the entire process, with continuous oversight from retrieval through transfer or freezing. Learn more about our lab.
IVF is a significant financial commitment, and insurance coverage varies widely by plan and by state. Our team can walk you through your specific coverage and financing options as part of your evaluation. Visit our insurance and financial page for more information.
Our reproductive endocrinologists and embryology team work together throughout your cycle, so the same team that manages your stimulation and retrieval also oversees your embryos in the lab. If you’re preparing for your cycle, read more about what to expect during egg retrieval.
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If you’re under 35 and have been trying for 12 months (or 6 months if 35+), consider an evaluation.
Seek urgent care for sudden severe pain or heavy bleeding.
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Connect with our team to discuss your situation and understand your next steps—without pressure, without judgment.
Connect with our team to discuss your situation and understand your next steps. Our fertility clinic in Lower Manhattan is here to help - without pressure, without judgment.
Comprehensive fertility care with clarity and confidence.