To have a child means to complete the family. However, sometimes it isn’t possible to conceive a child naturally. Everybody deserves the happiness of having a child in their life. For couples who aren’t able to do it naturally, science has devised various artificial means of conception. One of the techniques in Assisted Reproductive Technology (ART) is the In-Vitro Fertilisation technique (IVF). This article will give you an in-depth knowledge of the IVF process and its treatment.
What Is IVF?
In the IVF process, the sperm cell from the male donor/ recipient is made to fertilize the extracted egg cell from the female recipient. This leads to the formation of an embryo. It is then transferred directly to the female recipient’s uterus.
The IVF treatment success rate is generally quite low. Before opting for IVF, you must consider the fact that it is a process that is solely based on probability.
How IVF Process Works?
The process of IVF is very long as the IVF timeline stretches in weeks and months. In this article, we have elaborately explained the IVF process step by step for better understanding, as follows.
1. Formation of multiple egg cells
The first step of the process is the formation of multiple egg cells. Normally, an ovary produces only one egg cell or ovule per cycle, but the women undergoing IVF procedure make to form more than one egg in that particular cycle. For this step, the woman has prescribed a medication to be taken for 8-14 days.
The medications are usually in the form of IVF injections. The IVF injections consist of a mixed dose of 2 hormones namely, Follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) and Luteinizing hormone (LH). There might be regular blood tests and ultrasounds, to monitor your hormone level and the production of the eggs.
2. Egg retrieval step
After the ovaries have produced the required number of eggs, the next step is the egg retrieval step. This step involves a small surgical procedure that takes place either at a hospital or a fertility clinic.
You will get a general anesthetic before the surgery, so as to make things easy for you. In this surgery, the doctor will insert a thin, hollow tube in your body through the vagina. With the help of ultrasound, this lets the doctor guide the tube perfectly by being able to watch the internal portion of the uterus. The tube passes through the ovary and enters the follicle containing the required egg. The tube contains a suction device at the base. Due to which, the doctor can gently take out the eggs from the follicles which seemed to have mature eggs.
3. Fertilization of the extracted egg
The next step is the fertilization of the extracted egg with the sperm which could either be of a male donor or the male recipient. The fertilization process carries out under controlled laboratory conditions. In this process the sperm makes to fertilize the recipient’s egg, if the sperm has lower motility, then it is directly injected in the egg.
4. Formation of embryo
If fertilization is successful, the formation of the embryo begins. After 4-5 days of the formation of the embryo, it is injected inside the mother’s uterus directly. It is monitored to ensure that the embryo has been successfully attached to the lining of the uterus. After ensuring that the uterus has been attached to the uterus lining perfectly, the mother is then said to be conceived.
It is advisable to stay for a day at home, the mother can resume the normal daily activities from the next day. To maintain the pregnancy, the mother may need to take the pill or injection shots of a hormone called progesterone, for 8-10 weeks.
Some Downsides of IVF Treatment
IVF is an excellent method for the people who can’t conceive naturally, however, there are certain disadvantages as well. For instance, the IVF injection side effects, which include bloating, cramping, infections, etc. The IVF procedure can also be painful, especially during surgery.
It should also be noted that the cost incurred during a single IVF is pretty high and thus a strong financial backup is required. If all these are considered and worked out, IVF can truly be a miracle in your life.
Here at Nirvana Clinic, dr. Kaushiki Dwivedee is the IVF specialist. Click here to book an appointment.
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