What is the IVF process?

ALEXOctober 26, 2023

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IVF, or In-Vitro Fertilization, is a wonderful option for couples who dream of having a child. It’s a special way to help families grow. Let’s go through the steps involved so that you can start this journey with hope and confidence.

What Exactly Is IVF?

IVF, or In-Vitro Fertilization, is a special way to help couples have a baby. It has to do with combining an egg and sperm outside the body and then placing the fertilized egg, now called an embryo, into the uterus. This can lead to pregnancy when the embryo attaches to the uterine wall.

People choose IVF for various reasons. It’s an option for those facing infertility or health conditions. It’s also chosen after trying other methods or as a choice for same-sex couples or individuals who want to have a baby on their own.

The IVF process typically takes about four to six weeks from the start to when pregnancy is tested. This includes the time before egg retrieval when fertility medication is taken.

The Process Of IVF

Step 1: Preparing for IVF

Before starting IVF, your healthcare provider might suggest using birth control pills or estrogen. This helps regulate your menstrual cycle and prevent the development of ovarian cysts. It also allows the healthcare team to better manage your treatment and enhance the number of mature eggs collected during retrieval.

Step 2: Ovarian Stimulation

In a typical menstrual cycle, only one egg matures for ovulation. During IVF, you’ll receive hormone medications through injections to stimulate multiple eggs to mature together. This means you may have several eggs available for retrieval, increasing the chances of success. The type, dosage, as well as frequency of these medications will be personalized based on your medical history, age, and your body’s response to previous IVF cycles.

This phase involves close monitoring of your ovarian response through ultrasounds and blood tests, usually occurring over two weeks. This allows healthcare providers to track the growth of ovarian follicles, which house the eggs. Follicle size indicates egg maturity, with those over 14 millimeters likely containing mature eggs.

A “trigger shot” is administered approximately 36 hours before the scheduled egg retrieval. This finalizes egg maturation in preparation for retrieval

Step 3: Egg Retrieval

Using ultrasound guidance, a thin needle is gently inserted through the vaginal wall into each ovary. This needle is attached to a suction device, which carefully retrieves the eggs from the follicles. The collected eggs are then placed in a special solution and kept in a controlled environment.

To minimize discomfort, mild sedation and appropriate pain relief medications are provided during this procedure. Egg retrieval generally occurs 36 hours after the last hormone injection, known as the “trigger shot.”

Step 4: Fertilization

The day after egg retrieval, the embryologist attempts to fertilize the mature eggs through a process called intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI). This involves injecting a sperm into each mature egg. Immature eggs are placed in a dish with sperm and nutrients, but they are less likely to mature and fertilize.

On average, about 70% of mature eggs successfully fertilize. For instance, if 10 mature eggs are retrieved, approximately seven may fertilize. If successful, the fertilized egg progresses to become an embryo.

Excess eggs, if present, can be frozen before fertilization for future use.

Step 5: Embryo Development

Over the next five to six days, the embryos’ progress is carefully monitored. They undergo significant developmental stages, with about 50% of fertilized embryos typically progressing to the blastocyst stage. This is the optimal stage for transfer to the uterus.

For instance, if seven eggs were fertilized, three or four may develop into blastocysts. The remaining embryos that do not progress are not used.

All suitable embryos for transfer are frozen on either day five or six of fertilization, ensuring they are available for potential future transfers.

Step 6: Embryo Transfer

Embryo transfer can either be fresh or frozen. Fresh transfer involves placing a non-frozen embryo into the uterus three to seven days after retrieval. In frozen transfer, embryos from a previous IVF cycle or donor eggs are thawed and then transferred.

To prepare for a frozen transfer, you’ll take specific medications for about 14 to 21 days. This ensures your uterus is ready to receive the embryo. Ultrasound and blood tests monitor the readiness. When your uterus is prepared, the embryo transfer procedure is scheduled.

The actual transfer is a simple procedure, similar to a pelvic exam. A speculum is inserted into the vagina, and a thin catheter carries the embryo(s) into the uterus. The process usually takes less than 10 minutes and doesn’t require anesthesia.

Step 7: Pregnancy

Pregnancy occurs when the embryo successfully implants itself into the uterine lining. Approximately nine to 14 days after the embryo transfer, a blood test confirms if pregnancy has occurred.

If donor eggs are used, the same steps are followed, with the donor undergoing ovarian stimulation, egg retrieval, and the embryo being transferred to the chosen recipient.

Final Thoughts!

IVF is a wonderful way for families who have trouble having babies to get some help. It’s a bit complex, but it’s like a scientific miracle that has made many families very happy. If you know the steps, it can make the journey easier. And don’t forget, your special team of doctors and nurses will be there to help you at every step.