IVF
In Vitro Fertilisation, more commonly called IVF, describes a technique wherein a man’s sperm and a woman’s eggs are fertilised externally in a special laboratory to create an embryo(s). Thus, IVF is an assisted reproductive technique where one or more fertilised eggs (embryos) are transferred into the woman’s uterus through her cervix to enhance the chances of pregnancy.
In 1978 in England, the first successful IVF procedure was performed.
Initially, IVF was recommended for women who had blocked fallopian tubes. But with the advancement of science and improvement in scientific technologies, IVF has emerged as one of the most successful assisted reproductive techniques.
IVF, or In Vitro Fertilisation, has become a ray of hope for couples dealing with infertility. The success rate of IVF differs from one couple and another. Several factors determine the success rate of IVF.
The factors that impact the success of IVF are listed below:
- Infertility causes (the reason)/cause of infertility
- Infertility form/type of infertility (primary or secondary)
- The female partner’s age
- Ovarian reserve
- The growth of the endometrium/endometrial thickness and blood flow
- The sperm, egg, and embryo’s quality
- Post-transfer luteal process
IVF has emerged as one of India’s most crucial fertility treatment techniques. IVF success rate is very variable. In India, the success rate stands somewhere between 30% to 70% In young women less than 35 years, the average success rate is about 55% age plays an essential role in determining the success rate of IVF.
The Steps Involved in IVF
The steps involved in IVF are explained in a comprehensive way below. The steps will help you understand the process of In Vitro Fertilisation or IVF in a better way.
Read along to gather adequate knowledge on the same.
Step 1: Control Ovarian Hyperstimulation (COH)
The procedure of COH involves using various means, and one of the most common ways is the GnRH Antagonist protocol. In this procedure, the gonadotropin hormone secretion is suppressed to ensure premature ovulation is prevented. Once the optimal suppression is achieved successfully, then gonadotropin injections are administered.
Regular ultrasound imaging and hormone assessment are done to monitor follicular development. The final maturation of eggs is completed by HCG administration only after the lead follicles have reached the appropriate size.
Step 2: Egg Retrieval
The procedure is performed under intravenous sedation in a special surgical suite. Using a needle, the ovarian follicles are aspirated. The embryologist scans follicular fluids to locate all available eggs. The egg is cultured in an incubator until insemination.
Step 3: Fertilisation and Embryo Culture
In this step, the egg is fertilised externally with the help of the sperm. Under special conditions, the ICSI technique is taken into consideration to fertilise mature eggs. After 16-18 hours of insemination, the fertilisation is assessed. The fertilised egg is called zygotes, and it is cultured in a specially formulated culture medium that helps in the growth and development.
Step 4: Embryo Quality
This is an important step that is involved in the procedure of IVF. In this step, the quality of the embryo is again assessed and analysed. This helps in deciding the embryo which can be chosen for further embryo transfer. Typically, embryos are transferred at the cleavage stage or the blastocyst stage. Depending upon the success rate of the embryo’s development and appearance, the embryologist chooses the embryo that would further be transferred to the uterus.
Step 5: Embryo Transfer
The embryo that is fertilised externally is being transferred on day three; during this time, the embryos reach the cleavage stage. Sometimes the embryos are also transferred on day five as they reach the blastocyst stage. The transfer of an embryo is a simple procedure, and for the completion of the process, no anaesthesia is required. The embryos are loaded in a soft catheter and are further placed in the uterine cavity through the cervix. The procedure takes place under ultrasound guidance.
One complete cycle of IVF takes about a time of three weeks. Sometimes these steps are split into different parts, and hence the process can take a longer time.
How do increase the chances of a successful IVF?
To improve the success rate of the In Vitro Fertilisation IVF, the following steps can be taken into consideration:
- Quit the habit of alcohol consumption and smoking at the earliest.
- Add healthy eating habits to your diet.
- Exercise to maintain healthy body weight.
- Avoid heavy workouts as this can adversely affect fertility.
- IVF success supplements like folic acid, vitamins, omega 3 fatty acids, selenium and others can be taken to ensure higher success.
- Men donating sperm should not have sex or masturbate for at least 3 to 4 days before the procedure—doing this aid in raising sperm count and sperm quality.
However, consult the doctor before taking any medicine or supplements. Some side effects are involved with fertility medicines. A few of them have been listed below:
- Temporary allergic reactions, such as itching or skin reddening at the injection site.
- Soreness and mild bruising at the injection site.
- Increased vaginal discharge and Breast tenderness.
- Fatigue and mood swings.
- Nausea and, occasionally, vomiting.
- Ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome (OHSS)
The Takeaway
The problem of infertility is not uncommon. In studies conducted by WHO, it has been observed that 15-20% of the population, in general, have fertility issues. Like any other medical condition, infertility too can be treated with proper medical assistance and care. There is no taboo whatsoever attached to it.
Like thousands of other couples, you can surely embrace parenthood with proper medical care and guidance. For the best advice on the same, schedule your appointment with the experts at Petals IVF, and transform from being “couples to parents. They offer the best fertility treatment in Delhi at the most affordable pricing
FAQs
What questions should one ask the gynaecologist before undergoing the IVF procedure?
IVF is one of the most popular and sought-after assisted-reproductive procedures. Before opting for IVF, it is important that you understand the process better. Here is a list of questions specially crafted for you, that you can ask before opting for the IVF procedure:
- Who will be performing the IVF procedure?
- What is the ideal age recommended for undergoing an IVF procedure?
- How many IVF cycles will one require to get the desired results?
Is the IVF procedure painful?
Contrary to the popular notion, the IVF procedure does not involve much pain. However, it is to be noted that pain is subjective, and the degree of pain can vary from person to person (as pain is determined by the concerned person’s ability to tolerate it).
How much does IVF cost in Delhi?
The average cost of IVF in Delhi stands somewhere between 1.2 LPA to 2.5 LPA. The final price is determined by the following factors-
- The number of IVF cycles required.
- The existing health and requirements of the patient.
- The clinic chosen for the treatment.
- The medications and follow-up care.
The high success rate of the IVF treatment at Petal IVF is encouraging more couples to opt for the treatment.
