Many have asked the question, “What’s IVF, and how does it work?” Well, we will answer that question and give you a guide to In-Vitro Fertilization.
IVF (In-vitro fertilization) is a method used to help people with fertility issues conceive a child. It involves combining eggs and sperm outside the body in a laboratory dish. Once fertilization occurs and embryos develop, they’re implanted into the uterus. This process aims to help individuals or couples achieve pregnancy when other methods haven’t been successful.
A Guide to In-Vitro Fertilization
The IVF journey happens in one menstrual cycle, usually around 28 days, but it varies for some. It’s essential to track your cycle before IVF. First, both partners get a fertility check to assess fallopian tube health. Laparoscopy is the best way to check.
Other methods like X-rays or ultrasound are options too. Men also get tested to check sperm health, looking at movement and strength. Based on the results, doctors decide between regular IVF and Intracytoplasmic Sperm Injection (ICSI), where they directly inject sperm into the egg. If sperm are less mobile or strong, ICSI might be needed for fertilization.
STEP 1: Pausing Your Natural Hormone Cycle for IVF
In the initial phase of IVF, you might receive medication to pause your regular cycle. After the initial tests, a nurse will provide you with follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) drugs.
These drugs can be daily injections (usually self-administered) or a nasal spray. You’ll use them for about two weeks before ovulation, starting right after your period at the beginning of your menstrual cycle. FSH helps in releasing more than the usual number of eggs.
Throughout this time, doctors will regularly check how the FSH is affecting egg growth through scheduled ultrasound exams.
STEP 2: Tracking Your IVF Progress: What to Expect
During the medication phase, our clinic closely watches your progress using vaginal ultrasound scans. We might adjust the FSH dose based on your body’s response.
If fewer than three mature follicles develop, the treatment might not work well. We’ll try changing the FSH dose, but if it doesn’t help, we might need to reschedule the cycle. On the flip side, some women respond strongly, growing lots of follicles, which can lead to a risk of ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome (OHSS). For safety, we might cancel treatment if OHSS seems likely.
When things look good and your body responds well, you’ll get a hormone injection (HCG-Human Chorionic Gonadotropin) 34–38 hours before we collect your eggs. Then, we retrieve the eggs 34-38 hours after the HCG injection.”
STEP 3: Gathering Eggs in IVF: What Happens?
In IVF, eggs are collected using ultrasound guidance while you’re under sedation, either with general or local anesthesia, depending on your situation. A needle goes through the scanning probe into each ovary to collect the eggs. Some cramping and a bit of vaginal bleeding might happen after. You might need to spend one to two hours in the hospital to recover.
Are There Any Complications?
- Mild lower abdominal pain
- Light spotting or bleeding from the vagina due to the needle used during pickup.”
Also Read: What is Mock Embryo Transfer? Best Answer
STEP 4: Fertilizing the Eggs in IVF: What Happens
The fluid collected from the follicles gets examined by the embryologist to find and isolate the eggs. On that same day, a semen sample is taken. The eggs are mixed with either the partner’s or a donor’s sperm and kept in the lab for about 16–20 hours. Later, they’re checked to see if they’ve fertilized using regular IVF methods. The ones that have fertilized (now called embryos) continue growing in the lab incubator for another one to two days before they’re checked again.”
STEP 5: IVF Embryo Transfer: The Process Explained
Embryos are placed into the uterus 2-5 days after egg retrieval, (depending on their quality), embryos are placed into the uterus using a special catheter. If you’re under 40, usually one or two embryos are transferred.
For those over 40, a maximum of three can be used to reduce the risk of multiple births. Extra embryos can be frozen for future attempts if suitable. You’ll receive medications to support implantation. The transfer is short, typically about an hour, and doesn’t require a long hospital stay. If you’re from another country, you can usually travel the next day.
Before Transfer:
Some clinics may offer blastocyst transfer, where fertilized eggs mature for five to six days before being transferred.
Pregnancy Confirmation:
A blood test around 12-14 days post-transfer detects pregnancy. An ultrasound around 18 days after the transfer can also confirm pregnancy. If it’s positive, some clinics schedule a follow-up ultrasound in two weeks to check for the fetus’s pole and heartbeat.”
Conclusion
IVF is a valuable option for those facing fertility challenges, offering hope and possibilities for starting or expanding a family. By understanding the IVF process and its key steps, individuals can navigate this journey with confidence and optimism. Our Holifield Nulife Fertility Centre specialist team is always available to guide you through every step.
We hope that the guide A Guide to In-Vitro Fertilization that we put up above is of immense help and enlightening.