Since it was first used in the late 1990s, IVF has given hope to many couples having trouble getting pregnant.
The first successful IVF process in 1978 led to the birth of Louise Brown. This shows how much of an effect this fertility treatment has had. IVF Victoria can be a one go to a clinic when facing infertility problems.
This guide will teach you everything you need about IVF, from the basics to the more complicated parts, success rates, possible risks, and much more.
Table of Contents
How to Figure Out the Mystery of Infertility
For people with infertility, being unable to get pregnant naturally after a year of unsafe sexual activity is a medical condition. It can be caused by many things, such as sexual problems, chemical issues, structural problems, lifestyle choices, or something that can’t be explained.
If medicine, intrauterine insemination (IUI), and other fertility procedures have not worked, IVF can be used as a last resort.
The Many Parts of the IVF Process
In vitro fertilization (IVF) is a long and carefully planned process that has several steps:
1. Stimulation of Ovulation
Often, ovarian stimulation is the first step in the IVF process. During this time, the female partner gets hormone shots that tell the ovaries to make more than one developed egg. The reason for this is easy to understand: more eggs mean more chances for fertilization to work.
2. Getting the Eggs
Once the eggs are thought to be fully grown, a minor surgery called egg removal is done to get them. To get to the eggs in the ovaries and collect them during this operation, a small needle is carefully put through the vaginal wall. Most of the time, sedation or anesthesia ensures the patient is comfortable and reduces pain.
3. Collection of Sperm
At the same time, either the male partner or a chosen sperm provider gives a sample of sperm. Carefully controlled handling of this sample in the lab separates and selects the best sperm for fertilization.
4. Getting Fertilized
When the recovered eggs and processed sperm meet in the lab, it’s a crucial time because it makes fertilization possible. There are two main ways to do this. Regular IVF, in which the sperm and eggs are naturally brought together. Intracytoplasmic Sperm Injection (ICSI), in which a single sperm is inserted directly into an egg under a microscope.
Which of these ways to use depends on several things, such as the quality of the sperm and the couple’s past experiences with fertility treatments.
5. Culture of Embryos
After being fertilized, the zygotes (fertilized eggs) change into embryos and are put in a controlled environment to grow, which usually takes three to five days. During this critical stage, embryologists check how healthy the eggs are.
6. Transfer of Embryo
Once the eggs are fully grown, one or more are carefully chosen to be put into the woman’s uterus. This simple and easy process involves placing a thin tube through the cervix and into the uterine cavity using care. The woman’s age and the quality of the eggs are used to figure out how many embryos should be moved.
7. Freezing an Embryo
Extra eggs not used in the first transfer can be used later. This method of preserving is called cryopreservation, and it lets couples try to get pregnant again without going through the whole IVF process.
Breaking Down IVF Success Rates
It is essential to understand that success rates can vary depending on several things. These things include the woman’s age, the reason she can’t have children, and the quality of the eggs. The success rate for each IVF treatment can be anywhere from 30% to 50% on average.
However, the success rate is higher for younger women. It’s essential to keep in mind, though, that success might not happen in the first cycle. Many couples go through multiple IVF rounds before they get pregnant.
Getting Through the Risks and Things to Think About
IVF is a complicated medical procedure that comes with its own set of risks and things to think about, just like any other medical treatment:
1. Ovarian Hyperstimulation Syndrome (OHSS)
OHSS happens when the ovaries are overstimulated. It can show up as stomach pain, swelling, and, in the worst cases, fluid buildup in the stomach and chest.
2. Multiple Pregnancies
IVF makes it more likely that a woman will have twins, triplets, or higher-order multiples. These pregnancies can be more complicated and need more medical care.
3. Costs to Your Emotions and Money
IVF can be hard on your emotions and wallet. It can cost a lot to go through multiple rounds, and it can be hard to deal with the mental toll of the process.
4. Ethics and Morals
Some people or couples may have moral or ethical problems with some parts of IVF, like getting rid of embryos, using gift sperm or eggs, or choosing embryos based on their gender or other traits.
5. No Promise of Success
It’s important to know that IVF doesn’t promise success. Not everyone responds the same way to treatment, and there is no one-size-fits-all answer to infertility.
The Journey to Parenthood
In-vitro fertilization has become a light of hope for many couples having trouble getting pregnant. But before you start this journey, you need to know a lot about the process. It is highly suggested that you talk to a trained fertility expert who can give you advice that is specific to your situation.
