IVF - In vitro fertilization
In vitro fertilization is a process to enable fertility in women. It uses multiple techniques and steps to help women conceive the child. It also prevents the genetic female problems from the roots. IVF complete process generally takes between 3 to 4 weeks.
The process of IVF consists of mature eggs gathering from the ovaries. Furthermore, these eggs get fertilized by the sperm in the hospital laboratories. Afterward, the fertilized eggs are directly being transferred to the women's uterus.
The article below will help you to get one step closer to understanding the IVF steps before and after in detail.
Statistics
According to the researchers, IVF helps women under 35 years to get pregnant at their first attempt itself.
According to the infertility specialist named Mark P. Trolice, M.D., more than 275,000 IVF cycles are performed annually.
According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention, almost 1.9% of babies are born via IVF every year.
Studies reveal that the success rate of IVF is less than 13% at the age of 40 or more.
Researchers say that the use of IVF procedures for bringing the hope of conceiving a baby later sometime in the future has intensified by 20 fold in the last 5 years. More and more females are having the hope today to get pregnant via this method, researchers added.
Factors affecting IVF Success rate
Sperm quantity and quality
Comfort at which Embryo transfer process takes place
Timing of the ovulation
The embryo or eggs quantity and quality
Protocols related to stimulation
Endometrium receptivity
What are the Steps before IVF
Numerous steps in the form of tests take place before performing the IVF. All of them are mentioned below in detail.
Analysis of Semen
The concerned doctor usually conducts the Semen analysis before initiating the IVF procedure. It is generally done in the initial fertility evaluation to fasten the entire IVF process. But, in case it gets missed out in the starting, then it is conducted as a whole altogether.
Testing of Ovarian Reserve
During the initial days of your period, the blood is tested to check the presence of follicle-stimulating hormone, anti-mullerian hormone, and estradiol - estrogen. It helps to determine the total quality and quantity of the eggs. Furthermore, the ultrasound of the ovaries is done. Its results along with the other test outcomes are taken care of as a whole to anticipate how your ovaries are going to react once your body takes in the fertility medications.
Screening of Infectious disease
The in-depth screening process takes place in this step. It's not only meant for men but also women. Both the husband and the wife will undergo a full body checkup procedure to understand if they possess any serious diseases like HIV, Cancer, etc. In case any of the partners is diagnosed with such illnesses, the procedure takes a different turn for making the female pregnant.
Exercising Embryo Transfer
The exercise of the embryo transfer is usually conducted for testing the depth of the cavity of the female uterine. This mock embryo transfer test is a generally very successful way to place the embryo successfully inside the uterus of women.
Examination of Uterine
Before directly jumping on the procedures of the IVF - In vitro fertilization, the inner lining of the women's uterus will be tested by the doctor. It helps to conduct the entire IVF process smoothly and with ease. With the help of your cervix, the fluid will be put inside the uterus of women. This process is called Sonohysterography.
Post the completion of this process, then an ultrasound will be conducted to understand the depth of the cavity of the uterus. The images formed via ultrasound state the clear picture determining the uterine cavity. Moving forward, it helps to determine the further steps that need to be conducted before initiating the IVF process.
The other alternative to test this is by using Hysteroscopy. It involves the use of a hysteroscope which is slim, adaptable, and a light-weighted telescope. Furthermore, this telescope is being inserted inside of the vagina of women and is passed through a cervix straightaway into the uterus of a woman.
Steps Involved in IVF
The following steps have pertained to the IVF procedure.
Step 1: Stimulation
It involves the injection of fertility drugs to grow and mature the eggs of women.
Step 2: Egg Retrieval
This step involves the Follicular Aspiration process. It is a small surgery meant for removing the eggs.
Step 3: Insemination
In this step, the women's eggs get inseminated with the help of the sperm in a laboratory.
Step 4: Embryo Culture
Once the fertilization has covered the 3 to 5 days, then the embryo will be placed inside of the uterus.
Step 5: Transfer
For the further transfer of the left out embryos, they are being frozen. Studies have revealed that if all the embryos are frozen, it will lead to promising results in the patients giving higher success rates.
Cycles involved in the IVF
A list of cycles alternatives available in the In vitro fertilization process has been mentioned below in-depth.
Standard Process, the implantation of targeted parent's eggs with the targeted parents' sperm itself.
Donor Sperm Process, the implantation of targeted parents egg with the patron parents sperm
Embryo Donation Process involves the transfer of embryos that come from non biologically related parents.
Egg Donation Process, the targeted parent's sperm implants the donor eggs for the targeted parents themselves for holding up the pregnancy.
The gestational Carrier Process involves the non-targeted parents carrying the embryo which is not biologically related.
Conclusion
IVF is a very delicate process. Make sure to search for the reviews and success rate of the hospitals where you go for the IVF process. Understanding on a prior basis the steps involved in IVF will eventually help you to make the process much smoother. Stay in touch with your consultant to be in synchronization with the steps you need to go through during the IVF - In vitro fertilization process.
Reference
https://www.healthline.com/health/in-vitro-fertilization-ivf#procedure