IVF Process
- IVF Process, which stands for In Vitro Fertilization Process.
- IVF process is a medical procedure used to help individuals or couples with fertility challenges achieve pregnancy.
- After fertilization, the resulting embryos are cultured and monitored for several days.
- The best-quality embryos are selected for transfer into the woman’s uterus through a thin catheter inserted through the cervix.
- If the embryo implants successfully into the uterine lining, increasing the chances of pregnancy.
- It is also including male factor infertility, ovulation disorders, endometriosis, or unexplained infertility.
- IVF has revolutionized fertility treatment and has provided hope for individuals and couples who may have otherwise struggled to conceive.
- IVF process is a complex and multi-step process that requires expertise and careful medical management to increase the chances of a successful pregnancy.
IVF process:
Initial Consultation:
- The doctor will review your medical history, perform necessary tests, and discuss the potential causes of infertility.
Ovarian Stimulation:
- In IVF process, the woman’s ovaries are stimulated with fertility medications.
- To produce the multiple eggs instead of the usual single egg in a menstrual cycle.
- These medications help in controlling the timing of egg development and increasing the chances of successful fertilization.
Monitoring:
- During the stimulation phase, the woman’s progress is monitored through regular blood tests and ultrasound scans.
- These tests help in determining the optimal time for egg retrieval.
Egg Retrieval:
- When the eggs are mature, a minor surgical procedure known as egg retrieval is performed.
- This process is typically done under sedation or anesthesia.
- A thin needle is guided through the vagina to extract the eggs from the ovaries.
Sperm Collection:
- The male infertility techniques like Intracytoplasmic Sperm Injection (ICSI) may be used.
- Where a single sperm is injected directly into each mature egg.
Fertilization:
- The eggs and sperm are combined in a laboratory dish or test tube, and fertilization occurs.
- The embryos are monitored for a few days to observe their development.
Embryo Transfer:
- After the monitoring period, one or more embryos are selected for transfer into the woman’s uterus.
- The embryos are carefully transferred using a thin catheter inserted through the cervix.
Implantation and Pregnancy:
- If successful, the transferred embryo(s) implant in the uterus lining, and pregnancy occurs.
- A pregnancy test is usually performed about two weeks after the embryo transfer to confirm pregnancy.
Types of IVF Process
Conventional IVF:
- This is the standard and most commonly used type of IVF.
- It involves stimulating the ovaries with fertility medications to produce multiple eggs, retrieving the eggs.
- It also involves fertilizing them with sperm in a laboratory dish, and then transferring the resulting embryos to the uterus.
Intracytoplasmic Sperm Injection (ICSI):
- ICSI is a technique used when there are male factor infertility issues, such as low sperm count or poor sperm quality.
- It involves the direct injection of a single sperm into each mature egg, bypassing the natural fertilization process.
Frozen Embryo Transfer (FET):
- In FET, embryos that have been previously frozen through a process called cryopreservation.
- FET allows for better timing and preparation of the uterine lining.
Preimplantation Genetic Testing (PGT):
- PGT involves the screening of embryos for genetic disorders or chromosomal abnormalities before transfer.
- This can help select the healthiest embryos and reduce the risk of certain genetic conditions.
Blastocyst Transfer:
- With blastocyst transfer, embryos are cultured in the laboratory for a longer period.
- Then typically around five or six days, until they reach the blastocyst stage.
- This allows for better embryo selection and potentially higher success rates.
Donor Egg IVF:
- The woman’s own eggs are not viable or available.
- It donated eggs from a healthy donor are fertilized with the partner’s or donor sperm through IVF.