An Overview On "In Vitro Fertilization"!

In vitro fertilization, also referred to as IVF is the method of fertilization by manually combining an egg with sperm in a laboratory bowl.

If IVF is successful, then the next procedure followed by IVF is embryo transfer, in which the embryo is placed in your uterus.

Procedure involved with in vitro fertilization:

IVF includes five steps followed by embryo transfer.

• Monitoring and stimulating the development of healthy eggs in your ovaries


• Collecting the eggs


• Securing the sperm


• Combining egg with sperm in the laboratory


• Providing healthy environment for fertilization and embryo development


• Transferring the embryo into your uterus
  

Step 1: You are prescribed with fertility medications that help to manage timing of egg ripening and also to enhance the chance of collecting more number of eggs. Usually this procedure is termed as ovulation induction.

Your doctor will monitor the development of eggs by using ultrasound in order to examine your ovaries. Blood test is also recommended to check the hormone levels.

Step 2: After egg development, your doctor collects the egg samples by following a surgical procedure in which a hollow needle is inserted into your pelvic cavity.

Removal of eggs with hollow needle is called follicular aspiration. You will experience mild cramping on the day of egg retrieval.

Step 3: After egg retrieval, it is combined with sperm, usually obtained by ejaculation.

Step 4: Combined egg and sperm are placed in an incubator to occur fertilization. This process is called as insemination. If there is poor fertilization, then intracytoplasmic sperm injection is used.

In this method, a single sperm is directly injected into the egg. Eggs are observed to ensure that fertilization and cell division are taking place. Fertilized eggs are called as embryos.

Step 5: Once the embryo has developed, it is placed in your uterus within 1-6 six days. Fertilized egg is divided to form a 2-4 cell embryo.

During the transfer process, a speculum is introduced in your vagina to expose the cervix. Then the embryos are suspended in a fluid and carefully positioned in a catheter then into your womb.

Success rate of in vitro fertilization:

Success rate mainly depends on your condition and treatment approaches. Also, it is essential to understand that pregnancy rates can not be compared with live birth rate. Birth rate for each in vitro fertilization case is as follows:

• For women under 35 years, success rate is 30-35%


• For women between 35-37 years, success rate is 25%


• For women between 38-40 years, success rate is 15-20%


• For women above 40 years, success rate is 6-10%
  

Risk factors associated with IVF:

• Sometimes, ovary stimulation can lead to hyperstimulation, which causes swollen and painful ovaries.


• Ovarian Hyper stimulation Syndrome can sometimes lead to nausea, vomiting, bloated feeling, and lack of appetite.


• Some of the severe symptoms include: shortness of breathe, severe abdominal pain, rapid weight gain, and decreased frequency of urination.