In Vitro Fertilization: A ray of hope for couples fighting infertility

 Parenthood is a turning point in every couple's life. One cannot explain the feeling of becoming a parent. While many couples experience this feeling naturally, some have to go through the agony of infertility. IVF is a medical treatment for couples dealing with the causes leading to infertility.

 

What is IVF?

In Vitro Fertilization is a way of conceiving a baby with the help of assistive reproduction technology. Earlier it was known as Test tube Baby.

During IVF eggs are retrieved from a woman's ovaries and are later fertilized with the sperm. A fertilized egg is called an embryo which is either stored or transferred to a woman's uterus.

There are different situations where IVF procedure can be used:

- Eggs and sperm both belong to the couple

- Eggs belong to the woman but the donor's sperm is taken

- Donor's egg and your sperm

- Egg and sperm both belong to a donor

- Donor's Embryo

This method can be used in the case of surrogacy.

Causes of Infertility

There are many reasons which contribute to infertility in men and women.

1. Causes of women infertility are:

●      Age: Women over the age 35 to 40 who are trying to conceive.

●      Irregular or no periods

●      Endometriosis - A condition where tissues similar to the lining of the uterus grow outside the uterus.

●      Pelvic inflammatory diseases

●      Cancer Treatment

2. Causes of infertility in Males

●      Low sperm count

●      History Testicular, prostate, or sexual problem

●      Cancer Treatment

●      Family history of infertility

IVF is never the first choice, couples do prefer going for fertility drug treatment, surgery, or artificial insemination ( a procedure where semen is injected into the uterus).

Preparation of IVF

Before the IVF procedure, begin doctors will make you undergo certain tests to know the health of your ovaries and uterus as well as sperm quality.

Women have to undergo ovarian reserve testing. A blood sample and determining the level of follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH). From the results of these tests, doctors get information on the size and quality of your egg. After this, an ultrasound is done to know the health of your uterus and to decide the best way to implant the embryos.

Men have to undergo sperm testing. In case of damaged or weak sperms, a procedure called ICSI (intracytoplasmic sperm injection) is performed.

IVF Procedure

 

Step 1: Oral Contraceptives

It may seem contradictory, but contraceptive pills can increase the number of eggs available for the retrieval process. Oral contraceptives are prescribed 10-14days before the starting of fertility medicines.

Step 2: Stimulation

After the course of oral contraceptives, patients are given fertility medicines for 9-11 days. These medicines help in developing the eggs in follicles.

Step 3: Egg retrieval

Eggs are extracted from ovarian follicles and sent to a lab for fertilization. It's a one-day process.

Step 4: Transfer of Embryo

After eggs are fertilized in the lab, on the fifth day they are transferred to the uterus.

Pregnancy happens when the embryo implant itself in the uterine wall. The expected time is 6-10 days.

 Risk Involved

Along with carrying the news of becoming a parent, it also carries certain risks and complications.

- Multiple pregnancies, which increases the risk of low birth weight and premature birth

- Miscarriage

- Ectopic Pregnancy: It is a condition when the eggs implant outside the uterus.

- Ovarian Hyperstimulation Syndrome (OHSS): A rare condition involving an excess of fluid in the abdomen and chest.

- Bleeding, Infection, or Damage to the Bowels or Bladder (rare)

IVF procedure is expensive not only financially but also emotionally. There are chances that you might not get pregnant on the first attempt. This is why some couples may have to go through multiple rounds before receiving pregnancy news.

At Sarvodaya Hospital we understand the hopes and emotions of the couples and this is why our experts offer them the best IVF treatment. We have a high rate of fertilization. Through our Infertility counseling, we give proper information to the couple about IVF Treatment.