IUI stands for intrauterine insemination and it is designed to providing parenthood to infertile couples. It is a process in which the sperm is put directly into the uterus of the woman. This is done to ensure that the sperm gets closer to the egg and there are higher chances of fertilization. It is also called artificial insemination or alternative insemination. The procedure involves the following steps-:

1. Administration of fertility-enhancing medicines to increase the production of eggs in the female.
2. Semen collection through sperm washing (collection of healthy sperm from semen). The sperm may be taken from the male partner or a donor if the partner is unable to provide it.

It is a sperm injection that is given to the eggs directly. It is similar to the IVF procedure except for how fertilization is achieved. It consists of the following steps-:

1. Collection of sperm
2. Extraction of eggs from the woman
3. Fertilization of the eggs by picking up a single sperm using a glass needle.
4. Observation of embryos
5. Transfer of embryos into the uterus of the woman

ICSI is required in cases where, the male partner suffers from a low sperm count, if there are problems with the morphology of the sperm, and the sperm has to be retrieved surgically from the epididymis through MESA or TESA.

Egg donation is the name given to the procedure in which a fertile woman donates an egg to another woman to help her in conceiving. The technique comes under ART(assisted reproductive technology). It involves the removal of an egg or eggs from the fertile woman. It is followed by the freezing of the eggs in a lab. The embryos resulting from it are then implanted into the uterus of the recipient. This procedure is usually performed for getting assistance in IVF. The specialists may freeze some or all the embryos so that they can be used later for different people. It proves beneficial to women who can’t use their own eggs for fertilization. The reasons may vary from ovarian failure, overage or for avoiding congenital anomalies in the fetus.

It is the name given to the technique of developing an embryo in the lab after fertilization. It is carried out for 4-6 days after fertilization during which the embryos are monitored for their quality and potential of implantation. The embryos which are allowed to develop for 4-6 days are comparatively better than the ones which are allowed to develop only for 3 days. The embryos which develop for 4-6 days are called blastocysts. The blastocysts have a better survival rate and high chances of implantation. Therefore using blastocysts increases the chances of pregnancy. This method is preferred the world over as it increases the chances of a healthy and full-term pregnancy.

It is also known as Gamete cryopreservation. It refers to the freezing of the sperm and storing it a very low temperature for a long period. It is a good option for people who have a problem with their sperm count or morphology. Men who want to become a father but do not have a sperm count high enough can use this procedure.The semen should be brought in within 1 hour of being produced if the sample is brought from somewhere outside the lab. The lab tests the sample for quantity and quality. The remaining sample is divided into multiple vials whose number is dependent on the sample’s total volume and the quantity of mobile sperms occurring in each millilitre

It is a minimally invasive surgery which has become a more comfortable alternative to traditional open surgery. The laparoscopic surgery uses several 0.5-1 cm incisions to do the job. Through each incision or port, the special tubular instruments called trochars are passed. The abdomen is inflated by releasing carbon dioxide gas in the area. The laparoscope provides images from the internal area of the abdomen to a monitor which displays it in high resolution. The surgeon performs the surgery using the image he sees on the monitor. This surgery allows the surgeon to perform the activity using small incisions. The surgery is beneficial and it amounts to a low discomfort level to the patient.

It refers to the transfer of an embryo to a couple who are not related either to the egg or the sperm donor. It is known as the non-autologous embryo. It is akin to using a donor except for the fact that it is technically a fertilized egg. It involves the use of a fertilized egg which has been frozen and thawed for getting transferred as the requirement arises. The embryo is a product of a couple trying out IVF treatment. When the couples have several suitable embryos after their IVF cycle which they don’t require, they can get them frozen or donate them.

It is a procedure that involves the examination of the uterus using a hysteroscope. It is generally used for diagnosing and treating the causes of abnormal bleeding. It enables the doctor to look inside the uterus and observe its condition. Diagnostic Hysteroscopy can be used in conjunction with other procedures like laparoscopy, dilation, and curettage, etc. During laparoscopy, the doctor inserts an endoscope into the abdomen of the woman to get a view of the uterus, ovaries and fallopian tubes. The incision for inserting the endoscope is made under the navel in the abdomen area. In Operative hysteroscopy, the diagnosis, as well as the treatment of the problem, is undertaken at the same time.