A Comprehensive Guide to the Process

IVF is a process in which the egg and sperm are fertilized in a laboratory dish outside of the body. It is a procedure used by those who require assistance getting pregnant. IVF consists of various steps and is a very productive form of assisted reproductive technology (ART).

IVF involves various steps, first fertility drugs are given to the patients to increase the production of eggs from the ovaries after that, the eggs are taken out of the ovaries (in certain situations, donor eggs may be utilized, in which case these initial processes may be skipped).

In the second step, the eggs are fertilized with sperm (in a petri dish). Fertilized eggs (one or more) are placed as embryos in a patient’s uterus. Pregnancy occurs when the embryo implants to the lining of the uterus wall. After that, the embryos grow and develop over the following nine months, till the baby is born.

Types of IVF

• Conventional IVF: In traditional IVF, a significant amount of egg cells are created during the first phase of treatment with the use of drugs. For women over 35 who have blocked or damaged Fallopian tubes and unexplained infertility, this is the best option.
• Natural Cycle IVF: In this method, eggs are collected at the same time as a woman’s menstrual cycle. Injections or stimulant medications are not used.
• Minimal or micro stimulation IVF: Mini-IVF is similar to conventional IVF. Mini-IVF uses smaller or milder dosages of medications that result in a small number of eggs.
• ICSI:  Intracytoplasmic sperm injection is a type of IVF used when the man has a low sperm count or poor sperm motility.
• IVF using donor eggs: IVF with donor eggs, is the same process except that all the process occurs in a donor, i.e. ovarian stimulation and egg collection.
• IVF using donor sperm: if the partner is not feasible for sperm transfer, then a donor with a healthy and high sperm count and motility is used.

Preparing for IVF

After the beginning of the cycle, it’s critical to think ahead when you get ready for IVF and to acknowledge your limitations when you start the procedure. If the treatment works and you get pregnant, your healthcare team will provide support to you through the journey. 

The most challenging phase of the cycle is frequently identified as the 10–14 day waiting period that occurs between transfer and learning the results of the pregnancy test. IVF can be a financially, physically, and emotionally taxing procedure. Here are some pointers to help prepare for IVF for patients who are about to start a cycle:

• Emotional Aspects should be taken into Account
• Eat a balanced diet 
• Coping Mechanisms.
• Take care of relationships and mental health
• Determine stress levels and coping strategies.

Working on the IVF treatment 

IVF requires several stages that can take two weeks or longer to finish. This sequence of actions is referred to as an IVF cycle. Among them are:

Ovarian stimulation

During IVF, the patient takes fertility medicines that stimulate their ovaries to create more eggs. This increases the likelihood of a live birth by enabling medical professionals to gather a large number of eggs from which to create embryos and choose those with the best possibility of becoming pregnant.

Different kinds of medications are used during this time of IVF

• The ovaries are stimulated through medication to produce multiple follicles.

• Medications that stop eggs from being released prematurely during ovulation. 
• Medications that cause ovulation.

There are several medications used in ovarian stimulation that require self-injection over a few days. 

Egg retrieval

Follicle aspiration is the technique used to remove the eggs from the ovaries approximately 36 hours following ovarian stimulation. A needle is inserted via the vagina and into the ovaries by the healthcare professional, who uses transvaginal ultrasound guidance to extract eggs from each follicle. During the procedure for pain management anesthetic medication is given.

Fertilization

In a petri dish, the eggs are combined with sperm from a partner or donor after being extracted from the ovaries for fertilization. The process of fertilization starts when a sperm enters an egg. In IVF, between 65% and 80% of the eggs are usually fertilized.

Embryo culture 

After fertilization, the eggs divide and become an embryo and the continuous monitorization of embryos is done for two to five days. The embryo must overcome significant hurdles to become an embryo suitable for transfer to the uterus. On average, 50% of fertilized embryos progress to the blastocyst stage. For instance, if 7 eggs fertilization occurs then there is a chance of 3-4 eggs developing into a blastocyst stage. The remaining eggs that fail to progress are discarded.

Embryo transfer

Many doctors and patients in the modern IVF practice prefer to freeze all embryos and undergo frozen embryo transfer (FET). Five days after conception, one or more embryos are inserted into the uterus during a new transfer procedure in an attempt to conceive. To time the transfer to the proper stage when their uterus is ready to receive the embryo(s), patients undergoing FET either use their natural cycle or hormone supplementation.

If an embryo is not transplanted, it can be frozen unlimitedly. We call this process cryopreservation. The frozen embryos can be donated or transferred at a later time to aid with other people’s conceptions or for scientific purposes.

After IVF: What Happens Next?

• The journey of taking care of yourself after undergoing FET procedures which takes about 2–4 hours is very essential in reducing the possible adverse effects and increasing the likelihood of positive signs for healthy fertilization and pregnancy.

As the procedure will be a thrilling new beginning for many, you may be concerned about your next actions as you wait for a pregnancy test. This test will identify if the embryo has successfully implanted, resulting in pregnancy.

• Blood pregnancy test two weeks after IVF-FET. Clinics encourage a two-week delay after embryo transfer, as taking a pregnancy test immediately after the frozen egg transfer typically gives incorrect results. Based on the pregnancy results obtained the further journey of fertility is decided.

Conclusion

If your pregnancy test came back positive, now you are pregnant, and your embryo transfer was successful. This means you will continue to be cared for by the health care provider until you are 8 to 10 weeks pregnant when ultrasounds and blood tests will be performed to check pregnancy development. 

Although the IVF procedure can be difficult, one can increase the chances of getting pregnant with IVF if one receives the proper treatment and adopts healthy lifestyle practices.

Recommended Reads: Explore Cost of IVF by Country

IVF (In Vitro Fertilization) Cost in India | IVF (In Vitro Fertilization) Cost in Turkey | IVF (In Vitro Fertilization) Cost in Spain | IVF (In Vitro Fertilization) Cost in United Arab Emirates | IVF (In Vitro Fertilization) Cost in Singapore | IVF (In Vitro Fertilization) Cost in Thailand | IVF (In Vitro Fertilization) Cost in United Kingdom | IVF (In Vitro Fertilization) Cost in Lithuania | IVF (In Vitro Fertilization) Cost in Malaysia

FAQs

Q. What is the first step in the IVF process?

A: Day 1 of your menstrual cycle marks the formal start of the IVF treatment cycle. During an IVF cycle, you will take medicine for eight to fourteen days to stimulate the growth of extra eggs in the ovaries.

However, it’s crucial to remember that IVF is a complicated procedure and that each person will respond differently to treatment and outcomes. To become pregnant, IVF rounds may be needed more than once in some situations.

Q. How long does each stage of IVF take?

A: An IVF cycle can roughly take  6-8 weeks to complete starting from initial consultation till the embryo transfer procedure. 

After the initial consultation further procedure is carried out, the process includes ovarian stimulation (8-14 days), egg retrieval, fertilization, and embryo transfer. Usually, the embryo is transferred five days following fertilization. Soon after, a pregnancy test is conducted to confirm the results.

Q. What should I do to prepare for IVF treatment?

A: Having emotional support is very important during IVF treatment. A few of the tips to prepare the body mentally and physically-

• Having a healthy diet is mandatory

• unhealthy chemicals and smoking should be avoided 

• Cutting down on caffeine gain

• Keep the body active with exercise 

• Maintaining the sleep cycle 

Q. What are the chances of success with IVF on the first try?

A: IVF first-time results vary, but they usually range from 20 to 35 percent.

According to a few data, the maximum chance of success is for women under 35, but there is also a 40.5% success rate for women between 35 and 37, and 26.4% for those between the ages of 38 and 40. The lowest success rate is 8.2% for those over 40.

These stats may vary from person to person depending on the health conditions.

Q. What are the common side effects of IVF?

A: The common side effects of IVF include

• Bruising or Pain Following Injections
• Nausea
• Breast tenderness
• Mood swings 
• Abdominal pain 
• Hot flashes & fatigue
• Emotional stress

Q. How soon can I take a pregnancy test after IVF?

A: It is advisable to at least wait for 2 weeks before taking the pregnancy test. A rush in taking the test might result in a false positive.

Q. Can lifestyle factors affect IVF outcomes?

A: Yes, it affects the IVF outcomes. Lifestyle factors can a play crucial role in the positive outcomes of IVF. A few lifestyle factors that can maximize the results are as follows 

• Reducing stress 
• Keeping an eye on weight 
• Improve Sperm and Egg Health by quitting smoking and alcohol
• Concentrate on dietary intake 

Q. How many embryos are usually transferred during IVF?

A: Many times, the amount of eggs collected and the age of the mother determine how many embryos are implanted in the uterus.

• It is recommended that only one euploid embryo be transferred, irrespective of the patient’s age.
• Regardless of the embryo stage, patients under the age of 35 should undergo a single embryo transfer.
• A single-embryo transfer should be recommended for patients who are between the ages of 35 and 37.
• Not more than three untested cleavage-stage embryos or two blastocysts should be transplanted for patients between the ages of 38 and 40.
• Patients between the ages of 41 and 42 should not be prepared to receive more than 3 blastocysts or 4 untested cleavage-stage embryos.

Q. Is bed rest necessary after embryo transfer?

A: Among couples undergoing IVF therapy, it is one of the most often asked questions. One has to consider the human body from a scientific perspective. Nothing about an IVF pregnancy is different from a natural cycle, even though the embryo was created artificially. The embryo is accepted by the uterus in the same manner as spontaneously fertilized eggs.

It is crucial to realize that everything, including the reproductive system, is completely controlled by nature. Whether it attaches naturally or artificially, the embryo adheres to the uterine lining with extreme tenacity. The embryo does not break apart and fall off due to movement or even gravity. Therefore, it is unreasonable or overstated to advise bed rest following an IVF surgery.