Mar 28, 2024
Many couples have been able to become parents thanks to in vitro fertilisation (IVF), a method of increasing fertility. In this type of assisted reproduction technology, sperm and an egg are fertilised outside of the body, in a lab. The embryo(s) are then moved into the uterus. If you're thinking about IVF as a way to get pregnant, you need to know how it works and what to expect along the way.
1. The first meeting and evaluation
The first step in IVF is usually meeting with a fertility expert for a consultation. You will be able to talk about your medical history, past fertility treatments, and any worries or questions you may have at this appointment. Your fertility doctor will do a full review, which could include blood tests, ultrasounds, and other diagnostic tests, to figure out the best treatment plan for your specific needs.
2. Stimulation of the ovaries
Ovarian stimulation is the next step in the IVF process after your treatment plan has been made. For this to work, fertility drugs like injectable hormones are usually given to the woman to make her ovaries make more than one egg. Regular blood tests and ultrasounds will be done to check on the growth of the follicles and the amounts of hormones.
3. Getting the Eggs
When the follicles are ready, a small surgery called egg extraction is done to get the eggs. The eggs are taken out of the ovaries with a thin needle directed by ultrasound images while the woman is sedated. After the eggs are removed, they are taken to the lab to be fertilised.
4. Getting pregnant and growing an embryo
When the eggs are brought back to the lab, they are fertilised with sperm using either traditional insemination or intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI), based on your specific case. Once fertilisation takes place, the eggs are grown in a lab and watched for a few days to make sure they reach the right stage for transfer.
5. Transfer of Embryo
A thin tube is used to move one or more embryos into the uterus during embryo transfer, the last step in the IVF process. Most of the time, this treatment is done with ultrasound guidance and doesn't need anaesthesia. After the move, you'll be told to take a short break before going back to your normal routine.
Help from experts in each and every step
It can be scary to start the IVF process, but you don't have to do it by yourself. At Vijay Nursing Home - Sarita Gynae & Fertility Centre, our experienced fertility doctors are here to help you through every step of the IVF process with compassion and knowledge. We're dedicated to helping you become a parent, from the first meeting to the proof of your pregnancy. Get in touch with us right away to find out more about how IVF can help you start a family. Start your path to becoming a parent here.
