Why is IVF used?
IVF treatment procedures can be used to treat infertility in the following patients:
- Women with damaged or blocked fallopian tubes
- In cases of male factor infertility like low sperm count or sperm motility
- Women with any kind of ovulation disorder, uterine fibroid, or premature ovarian failure
- Women whose fallopian tubes have been removed
- Those with some kind of genetic disorder
- In cases of unexplained infertility
What is the procedure of IVF?
The five steps of IVF and embryo transfer processes are:
Step 1: Initial Specialist Appointment
During the initial appointment, a fertility specialist will review your medical history alongside all previous investigations and treatments and provide preliminary advice about your treatment options. Ideally, both your partner and you should attend the first appointment with your fertility specialist.
Step 2: Pre-treatment Consultation
After the initial specialist appointment, you will again meet your fertility specialist, confirm your treatment plan, have questions answered, and sign relevant consent forms. Besides, you need to discuss any complementary medicines you are taking now as these may interfere with your treatment.
Step 3: IVF Treatment Begins
Fertility nurses will give you the medication you need, explain the treatment cycle, and show how to self-administer the follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) injection. It is recommended that both you and your partner attend this appointment.
Step 4: Hormone Stimulation
FSH is administered using a pen-like instrument, which stimulates the ovaries to make a larger number of eggs. The chances of carrying through fertilization and conceiving are higher when more eggs are collected.
Step 5: Treatment Monitoring
Regular blood tests are done throughout the cycle to track your hormone levels while ultrasounds measure both the size and number of ovarian follicles. This also helps determine the appropriate time for egg collection. All blood and ultrasound tests are conducted by our trained nurses.
Step 6: Trigger Injection
Once you have the optimum number and size of follicles, the egg collection is planned. About 36 to 38 hours prior to the egg collection procedure, you will be given a Human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) trigger injection. The luteinizing hormone or LH present in the body is replaced with the hCG injection, which instigates ovulation.
Step 7: Egg Collection
Egg collection is undertaken in a day procedure usually with ultrasound. Most women prefer a mild general anesthetic but they can also opt for a local anesthetic with sedation if they desire. You will be required to stay at the hospital for about four hours and will need someone to drive you home afterward. Make sure you can take the rest of the day off work.
On the morning of egg collection, your partner will have to provide a fresh sperm sample so that egg fertilization can take place immediately.
Step 8: Egg Fertilization
Once collected, the eggs are placed in a culture medium and prepared for fertilization in the laboratory. In IVF, the eggs and sperm, once prepared, are placed together in a dish for fertilization. In ICSI, an experienced embryologist will select an individual sperm to inject into the egg under fine microscopic control.
Step 9: Embryo Development
The egg and sperm are then placed in individual incubators at 37 degrees to mimic the temperature of the human body. The next day, experts will examine the eggs to determine if fertilization has occurred, and will call you to discuss the next steps.
Step 10: Embryo Transfer
Embryo transfer is a simple day surgery procedure and usually takes place five days after the egg collection. The embryos are transferred into the uterus through a fine catheter passed through the cervix, a procedure similar to a pap smear. In some cases, embryos can be transferred earlier.
Step 11: Embryo Freezing
Any extra embryo not used during a treatment cycle but are suitable for freezing can be stored for the future.
Step 12: Pregnancy Test
A nurse will schedule a blood test about two weeks following the embryo transfer. Some women may get a period even after being pregnant so, this blood test will be done even if you are menstruating. We do not recommend using urinary pregnancy test kits, as the hormone medications given throughout the treatment could result in an incorrect reading.
Your pregnancy blood test results are usually available by midafternoon. If the pregnancy test is positive, an ultrasound scan will be recommended approximately three weeks later.
Motherhood Fertility is an IVF Clinic in Kolkata known for a very high rate of successful deliveries.
Are there any side effects of IVF?
Although you may need to take it easy after the procedure, most women can resume normal activities the following day. Common side effects of IVF include mild cramping, bloating, and constipation. In case you experience any severe side effect, call your doctor immediately.
What if my eggs are not healthy or my husband is sterile?
You may choose to use donor eggs, sperm, or embryos. However, make sure you talk with a counselor who has experience in dealing with donor-related issues. You will need to be informed about the legal issues concerning gamete donation such as the legal rights of a donor.
How many embryos are created or transferred?
The number of embryos transferred depends on the number of eggs retrieved as well as the maternal age. As the rate of implantation starts decreasing as women start aging, more eggs are usually implanted to increase the chances of fertilization. However, the transfer of a greater number of eggs increases the chances of having multiple pregnancies. Make sure to talk with your doctor before the procedure and you both agree on how many embryos to implant.
