In Vitro Fertilisation is a fertility treatment wherein the eggs are fertilized outside the body. It is a process that helps hopeless couples who are unable to conceive, even after trying for a year. IVF technique involves many complex steps and is an effective form of assisted reproductive technology (ART).
To explain, it is a process in which the sperm and egg are extracted from the male and female. Further, after segregating the healthy eggs from the ovaries of the female and sperm from the male, they are fertilized in the lab. This process is performed in a favorable environment under the supervision of fertility specialists.
People choose IVF for many reasons. Here are some of the reasons!
● Blocked fallopian tubes
● Endometriosis
● Low sperm count
● Sperm impairments
● Polycystic Ovary Syndrome
● Uterine fibroids
● Issues with uterus
● Genetic disorders
● Unexplained infertility
● Donor sample problems
In Vitro Fertilization (IVF) is a complex process with many steps involved. Generally, one can expect the process to continue for 4-6 weeks. This includes the time before the egg retrieval process until one is considered pregnant.
Process of In Vitro Fertilization (IVF)
The IVF process may be broken down into the following parts:
1. Birth Control Pills
Before one begins with the IVF process, the doctor may provide you with birth control pills. This is used to stop the development of ovarian cysts and control the timing of the menstrual cycle. These pills help in controlling the treatment and maximize the number of mature eggs during the egg retrieval process.
2. Stimulating the Ovaries
A group of eggs tends to mature in every person of reproductive age. One egg becomes mature enough to ovulate. The remaining immature eggs are disintegrated. During the IVF process, certain medications are also given to stimulate the ovaries. In simpler terms, it means that instead of having one mature egg, the medications help in having numerous mature eggs.
3. Retrieving the Egg
The doctors use ultrasound to guide a thin needle through the vagina. The needle is connected to a device that is used to pull the eggs out of each follicle. The extracted eggs are then placed in a dish, and further, they are put in an incubator. Mild sedation, as well as medications, are used to reduce discomfort during the IVF process. Interestingly, egg retrieval is done 36 hours after the last hormone injection.
4. Fertilization
After the egg retrieval step, the embryologist will try to fertilize all the mature eggs using the ICSI technique. Immature eggs cannot have ICSI performed on them. On average, over 70% of the eggs fertilize. If a patient does not want all the eggs to be fertilized, then some eggs can be frozen for future uses.
5. Embryo Development
Over the next 5-6 days, the development of the embryo is monitored. The embryo must overcome significant issues and become suitable and capable enough to be transferred to the uterus. Around 50% of fertilized embryos progress to the blastocyst stage. All embryos frozen will be frozen on the fifth or sixth day of fertilization.
6. Embryo Transfer
There are two kinds of embryo transfers, i.e., fresh embryo and frozen embryo. Both fresh and frozen embryo transfers follow the same procedure. The difference is just in the name!
In fresh embryo transfer, the embryo is inserted into the uterus between 3-7 days after the egg retrieval process.
7. Pregnancy
When the embryo is transferred and implanted into the lining of the uterus, a female conceives. A blood test is done to determine the pregnancy after 9-14 days.
There are many factors to be taken into account before opting for the IVF technique. To have the best understanding of the process, it is best to take advice from specialists or visit IVF centers.