What is IVF ?
25 Dec 2023
IVF stands for In Vitro Fertilization. It is a medical procedure used to help individuals or couples with fertility issues conceive a child. The process involves the fertilization of an egg with sperm outside the body, in a laboratory dish, and then implanting the fertilized egg (embryo) into the woman's uterus.
The basic steps of IVF include:
- Ovulation Induction: Fertility medications are administered to stimulate the ovaries to produce multiple eggs. Monitoring is done through blood tests and ultrasound to track the development of eggs.
- Egg Retrieval: Once the eggs are mature, a minor surgical procedure called egg retrieval or ovum pick-up is performed. A thin needle is inserted through the vaginal wall to aspirate the eggs from the ovaries.
- Fertilization: The retrieved eggs are combined with sperm in a laboratory dish for fertilization. This can be done through traditional insemination or using intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI), where a single sperm is injected directly into an egg.
- Embryo Culture: Fertilized eggs develop into embryos, and they are typically cultured in the laboratory for a few days.
- Embryo Transfer: One or more healthy embryos are selected and transferred into the woman's uterus. This is usually done a few days after egg retrieval.
- Luteal Phase Support: Hormonal medications are often prescribed to support the uterine lining and enhance the chances of implantation.
- Pregnancy Test: A pregnancy test is conducted a few days after the embryo transfer to determine if the procedure was successful.
IVF is a widely used assisted reproductive technology and has helped many couples overcome infertility. It is often recommended when other fertility treatments have not been successful or in cases of severe male factor infertility, tubal factor infertility, or unexplained infertility. The success of IVF can vary depending on factors such as age, health, and the cause of infertility.
