IVF Treatment

Everything You Need to Know About IVF Treatment

What is in vitro fertilization | How Is In Vitro Fertilization Performed? | Side Effects and Risks IVF | Lifestyle tips for IVF | Self Care during IVF

What is in vitro fertilization (IVF)?

In Vitro Fertilization, also known as IVF is a procedure where the eggs are combined with sperm for fertilization outside the body. This procedure is done in glass (in vitro).
The process involves removing an ovum (egg or eggs) from the ovaries and letting the sperm fertilize them in a liquid. This process involves stimulating and monitoring in a laboratory. For the next 2-6 days, the fertilized eggs undergo embryo culture. Later on, it is implanted either in the same or another woman’s uterus. This process intends to establish a successful pregnancy.
is a process used for gestational surrogacy and infertility treatment.

Who is suitable for IVF?
This can be very disheartening when a couple tries to start a family but is unable to do so for several months. If a couple is having infertility issues for them IVF is suitable. Some of the issues are discussed below:-

1. Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS)
The hormonal disorder caused due to infrequent and prolonged menstruation can result in Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome, which is also known as PCOS. In the case of PCOS number of follicles are developed in the ovaries and results in releasing eggs regularly. In the case of PCOS, IVF is considered to be very successful.

2. Endometriosis
Endometriosis causes the lining of the uterus to grow outside the uterus resulting in a painful condition. The lining involves that of the ovaries, pelvis, and fallopian tube. In some cases, it also spreads beyond the pelvis. IVF is a better choice for women with endometriosis scarring.

3. Tubal factor infertility
Difficulty in pregnancy can also occur from scarred, damaged, missing, or even blocked fallopian tubes. In the process of IVF, the implantation bypasses the fallopian tube. Therefore, women with tubal factor infertility can opt for IVF. It is far better than surgical solutions.

4. Male factor infertility
Low sperm count, no sperm count, or even decreased motility of sperm are some of the reasons for male factor infertility. Most of the infertility cases are due to this reason. IVF can help couples conceive inspite of this factor also.

5. Pregnancy on demand
LGBT couples or single women wish to have a baby. IVF is a good choice for them. They can become pregnant following their terms and timescale.

How Is In Vitro Fertilization Performed?

In Vitro Fertilization involves the process of fertilizing an egg outside the woman’s body. This is performed in a laboratory using a fine needle, suction machine, and test tubes. It involves various stages.

The IVF process start to finish(step by step)
Here is how IVF works:-

1. Testing and ovarian stimulation
Before the process starts, doctors will assess your fallopian tubes and uterus to be sure that there is no need for surgical repair. The testing includes the assessment of thyroid function and ovarian reserve. Both the partners will also be screened for sexually transmitted infections and also semen tests for male partners.
Most of the women will be prescribed to consume fertility drugs for 8-14 days that will help them in ovarian stimulation. The average time for consuming this drug is 10-11 days. Ovarian stimulation will help to mature multiple eggs.
Fertility drugs help to produce more eggs and that is required because more the amount of eggs the chances of pregnancy will be higher. On an average 10-15 eggs are retrieved for the process of IVF. Not all the eggs are viable to be used. Only one-third of them have the required maturity for fertilization.
Your physician will make plans accordingly to prevent ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome (OHSS) at the same time obtain the maximum number of eggs. You will be monitored using vaginal ultrasounds and hormonal testing after fertility drugs are injected.
Ultrasounds will help the doctors know your estrogen level is right and you have large enough follicles. As soon as the estrogen level is as it is required you will receive a trigger shot.Varicocele:
The key reason behind the fertility issues in men is the condition of varicocele. It occurs due to the inflammation in veins in the testicle areas. The individuals suffering from this condition produce low-quality sperms.

2. Egg Retrieval
After receiving the trigger shot you will undergo a surgical procedure after thirty-four to thirty-six hours. The procedure will remove eggs from the follicles. For this procedure, eggs goes through the top of the vagina into one ovary following the other guided by an ultrasound.
An anesthesiologist will closely monitor you as you will be under sedation. A needle is used to help the follicles enter and the gentle suction is used to remove the follicular fluid. This whole process takes about 30 minutes.
You will feel some cramping on the day the procedure is done. You may even feel pressure because of the ovaries’ expansion resulting from ovarian stimulation.
Follicular fluid containing eggs are suctioned and kept in a test tube. The test tube is further tested under a microscope to find out an egg in each of the test tubes. Doctors record every detail of the eggs.

3. Fertilization
Experts examine the quality of the eggs that are appropriate for fertilization. Mature eggs are selected and transferred and kept in an incubator. And after a few hours of egg retrieval, they are fertilized with sperm. There are 2 ways of fertilization – Intracytoplasmic injection and the other is conventional insemination. It depends upon the IVF team which procedure they will follow.

4. Embryo Transfer
The couple and the IVF team together decide the time of the embryo transfer. After the egg retrieval, the process of embryo transfer is done between 1 to 6 days. In the case of genetic testing, a biopsy is performed from the embryo. After the genetic test result, the selected embryo is transferred into the uterus.

5. Assisted Hatching
There is no evidence whether it will improve pregnancy chances or if there is any risk associated with this procedure. This is mainly carried out by doctors when the couples have previously unsuccessful history of IVF cycle. It is a micromanipulation procedure that makes a hole in the shell that surrounds the cells of the embryo. If assisted hatching is decided by the IVF team to be performed then it is done before embryo transfer.

6. Pregnancy Test
After 12 days of the embryo transfer, you will undergo a blood pregnancy test to confirm your pregnancy followed by ultrasounds. The viability or whether you are having multiple pregnancies will be confirmed by a pregnancy test.

IVF process timeline
The process of IVF undergoes several steps starting from testing and ovarian stimulation, egg retrieval, fertilization, embryo transfer, if prescribed assisted hatching, and finally pregnancy test. All of these procedures need six to eight weeks on average. It might change depending upon the condition and age of the patient.

IVF medications and procedures
This complex series of IVF includes consuming some medicines too. These include Antagon (ganirelix), Ganirelix Acetate, Lupron Depot (leuprolide acetate), and Lupron. Doctors will also prescribe GnRH analog drugs to women for 2 weeks and hCG injections will also be prescribed when ovulation is triggered.
There are several procedures for IVF. Such as:-

• Ovarian stimulation
• Egg retrieval
• Sperm retrieval
• Fertilization
• Embryo transfer
• Pregnancy test

Complications Associated with IVF

Although IVF helps couples have a baby but there lie some complications too in this procedure. Such as:-

• Premature delivery
• Ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome
• Ectopic pregnancy
• Egg-retrieval procedure complications
• Cancer
• Stress

Side Effects and Risks IVF

There lie many side effects of IVF as you have to go through certain medications during the whole cycle. Some of the side effects are:-

• Headaches
• Hot flushes
• Feeling down
• Ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome
• Restlessness
• Swelling or rashes
• Depression
• Breast tenderness

Although the risks are low but still there lies some risks. Such as

• Multiple pregnancies
• Birth defect
• Miscarriage

Lifestyle tips for IVF

In Vitro Fertilization is opted by couples who cannot have a baby naturally due to infertility issues. As the success rate of this procedure is just at an average of 50%, you must follow certain tips to make it successful. Here are some of the tips:-

Do your homework before starting this procedure
Nowadays many clinics are providing the procedure of IVF. But each of the clinics differs based on doctors, technicians’ skills, and conditions in which the embryo grows. Find out a clinic that will offer you:-

• 1. The exact cost of the procedure
• 2. How long the embryos can be stored
• 3. Successful pregnancy rates for a couple of your age and your problem
• 4. Pregnancy rate per embryo transfer

Avoid ejaculation to increase sperm count
Male partners shall not ejaculate, masturbate, and even refrain from intercourse for three to four days before sperm donation. It will help will to increase the sperm count enhancing chances of successful IVF.

Have a good diet Good fats protect lower inflammation in the body, heart, and improve fertility. Eat plenty of foods such as nuts and seeds, avocados, sunflower oil, and olive oil. These foods will help in the development of the fetus also.

Avoid alcohol and caffeine
You must avoid alcohol as it is not good for the development of the fetus as it contains teratogen. Smoking is also strictly prohibited in the case of the IVF cycle. More than 200 mg of caffeine is also not good for the development of the fetus.

Meditation and de-stressing
It is normal to think about the outcome of the IVF cycle but it is equally important to de-stress. It affects the reproductive system and lowers the chances of a successful IVF. Meditation can help you breathe gently thus reducing stress allowing your body to function properly.

Avoid rigorous exercise
Rigorous exercise can cause pregnancy loss and implantation failure. Thus low-intensity exercises such as walking, yoga, and swimming are advised during IVF.

Supplements to take during IVF
Supplements that are taken during the process of IVF helps to increase the quantity and quality of eggs, improve endometrial receptivity, and increase endometrial thickness. Some of the anti-oxidants along with their category are mentioned below:-

Self Care during IVF

Your body goes through a lot during the IVF cycle. It is stressful both physically and mentally. You must have proper sleep and eat good foods during the IVF cycle. You must plan to visit a spa for some relaxation. Feel free to be social. Having a chat with families going through this same phase can help you to de-stress.

In vitro fertilization can be very safe as compared to natural childbearing. The history began in Great Brittan when the world’s first test-tube baby was born following this procedure. It must be used with great care so that it does not take an unexpected turn.