What Is In Vitro Fertilization?

In vitro fertilization (IVF) is basically a sort of assistive reproductive technology (ART). Dr. Hrishikesh Pai who is working with one of the best Mumbai based IVF centre say that it is the process of retrieving eggs from a woman’s ovaries and fertilizing them with sperm. The embryo can then be frozen for storage which can be used later or directly transferred to a woman’s uterus.

Depending on your situation, IVF can use:

• your eggs and your partner’s sperm
• your eggs and donor sperm
• donor eggs and your partner’s sperm
• donor eggs and donor sperm
• donated embryos

“Your doctor also can implant embryos in a surrogate, or gestational carrier. This is often a lady who carries your baby for you.” Says Dr. Mohit Saraogi who is known for best in class surrogacy treatment in Mumbai.

Why Is In Vitro Fertilization Performed?

IVF helps people with infertility who want to conceive. IVF is costly and invasive, so couples often try other fertility treatments first. These may include taking fertility drugs or sometimes even having an intrauterine insemination.

Infertility issues that IVF could also be necessary include:

• fertility issues in women over the age of 40
• blocked or damaged fallopian tubes
• reduced ovarian function
• endometriosis
• uterine fibroids
• male infertility, like low sperm count
• unexplained infertility

Parents can also choose IVF if they run the danger of passing a genetic disease on to their offspring. A medical lab can test the embryos for any sort of genetic abnormalities. Then, a doctor will choose & implant embryos without genetic defects.

How Do I get ready for In Vitro Fertilization?

Before starting the IVF process, women will first undergo an ovarian reserve testing. This involves taking a blood sample and testing it for the extent of follicle stimulating hormone (FSH). The results of this test will give your doctor information about the dimensions and quality of your eggs.

Your doctor also will examine your uterus. this might involve doing an ultrasound, which uses high-frequency sound waves to make a picture of your uterus. Your doctor can also insert a scope through your vagina and into your uterus. These tests can reveal the health condition of your uterus and help the doctor determine the best possible way to implant the embryos.

Men must go through sperm testing. This involves giving a semen sample, which a lab will analyze for the amount, size, and shape of the sperm. If the sperm are weak or damaged, a procedure called intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) could also be necessary. During ICSI, a doctor injects sperm directly into the egg to ensure fertilization. ICSI is often a part of the IVF process.

Choosing to possess IVF may be a very personal decision. There are several things to think about before opting for this process.

• What will you are doing with any unused embryos?
• How many embryos does one wish to transfer? The more embryos transferred, the upper the danger of a multiple pregnancy. Most doctors won’t transfer quite two embryos.
• How does one feel about the likelihood of getting twins, triplets, or a better order multiple pregnancy?
• What about the legal and emotional issues related to using donated eggs, sperm, and embryos or a surrogate?
• What are the financial, physical, and emotional stresses related to IVF
• How Is In Vitro Fertilization Performed?

There are five steps involved in IVF:

• stimulation
• egg retrieval
• insemination
• embryo culture
• transfer

Stimulation

A woman produces only one egg during each menstrual cycle. However, IVF requires multiple eggs which increases the probabilities of developing a viable embryo. You’ll receive fertility drugs to extend the amount of eggs your body produces. During this point, your doctor will perform regular blood tests and ultrasounds to figure out the right time to retrieve them.

Egg Retrieval

Egg retrieval is understood as follicular aspiration. It is surgery performed with anesthesia. Your doctor will use an ultrasound wand to guide a needle through your vagina, into your ovary to reach eggs from an egg-containing follicle.

Insemination

The male partner will now provide a semen sample. A technician will mix the sperm with the eggs in a special container called Petri dish. If that doesn’t produce embryos, your doctor may plan to use ICSI for the confirmation of fertilization.

Embryo Culture

Your doctor will constantly monitor the fertilized eggs to make sure that they’re dividing and developing continuously. The embryos may undergo testing for genetic conditions at this point to avoid any genetically transferred disease.

Transfer

Once the embryos are large enough, they will be implanted by a doctor. This normally occurs three to 5 days after fertilization. Implantation involves inserting a skinny tube called a catheter into your vagina, past your cervix, and into your uterus. Your doctor then put the embryo into your uterus.

Pregnancy occurs when the embryo successfully implants itself within the wall of uterus which is called uterine wall. this will take 6 to 10 days. A biopsy will determine if you’re pregnant.

What Are the Complications related to In Vitro Fertilization?

As with any procedure, there are risks related to IVF. Complications include:

• multiple pregnancies, which increases the danger of low birth weight and premature birth.
• miscarriage (pregnancy loss).
• ectopic pregnancy.
• ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome (OHSS).
• infection & bleeding.
• damage to the bowels or bladder (rare).

What Is the Long-Term Outlook?

Deciding whether to undergo in vitro fertilization (IVF), is a complicated decision. The financial, physical, and emotional toll of this process are often difficult. Speak together with your doctor extensively to work out what your best options are and if in vitro fertilization is the right path for you and your family. Seek a support group or counselor to assist you and your partner through this process.