What is in vitro fertilization? How does it work? For those who have tried but failed to have children, IVF is a good procedure that can make having children possible. IVF has its risks and benefits, both of which need to be considered. Doctors have identified a few different procedures and things to consider before undergoing these procedures. Even IVF, despite there being arguments against it, has a fairly good success rate. IVF, like any other procedure, can be dangerous and has many risks. Doctors advise against anyone without children from trying IVF. Couples who qualify for IVF have usually tried every other possible method before trying IVF. These people are considered sterile. It is said that an infertile person is unable to get pregnant after a year of unprotected sex. (eMedicinehealth, 2005) Some of these things are fertility drugs and therapies. Doctors will also look at the likelihood that you will actually conceive a baby if you decide to undergo IVF. If the chances are slim to none, they usually recommend things like adoption. Other qualifications for IVF are severely damaged reproductive organs or problems such as low sperm counts in men. So far there are two different IVF procedures discovered by doctors. The most recent is the one that does not require any type of surgery. During this surgery, the woman is placed under local anesthesia and an ultrasound machine is used to locate the eggs. After all this, the eggs are collected by inserting a needle through the vaginal wall. (IVF.com, 2005) The man is then asked to donate sperm after abstaining from sexual intercourse for a few days. The eggs are then fertilized in a laboratory dish and then injected into the uterus to progress naturally. There is a surgical procedure for in vitro fertilization. However, most doctors will avoid it at all costs to reduce recovery time. With the new form of in vitro fertilization the recovery time is approximately one hour after the retrieval of the eggs and approximately the same time after their insertion into the uterus. Doctors at Monash University in Australia are also working on a new procedure to reduce the rate of multiple births that occur with in vitro fertilization.