What is IVF
IVF (In Vitro Fertilization) is a medical procedure used to help individuals or couples with fertility problems conceive a child. Here’s a summary of the process:
- Ovarian Stimulation: The woman undergoes hormone therapy to stimulate her ovaries to produce multiple eggs rather than the single egg that normally develops each month.
- Egg Retrieval: Once the eggs are mature, they are retrieved from the woman’s ovaries using a minor surgical procedure called follicular aspiration.
- Fertilization: In the laboratory, the retrieved eggs are combined with sperm from the partner or a donor. The sperm can either be mixed with the eggs in a dish (conventional IVF) or injected directly into an egg (ICSI – Intracytoplasmic Sperm Injection).
- Embryo Culture: The fertilized eggs (embryos) are cultured in the laboratory for several days until they reach a suitable stage for transfer.
- Embryo Transfer: One or more embryos are selected and transferred into the woman’s uterus through the cervix using a thin catheter. This is typically done 3-5 days after egg retrieval.
- After Transfer: After the embryo transfer, the woman may be prescribed medications to support implantation and pregnancy.
- Pregnancy Test: About 10-14 days after the embryo transfer, a blood test is done to determine if the procedure was successful and pregnancy has occurred.
IVF may involve multiple cycles to achieve pregnancy, and success rates can vary based on factors such as age, reproductive health, and underlying conditions. It’s a complex and emotionally challenging process, but it offers hope to many couples struggling with infertility.
