What IVF is all About
Image credit: Freepik
In vitro fertilization (IVF) is a treatment for infertility which helps with fertilization, embryo development and implantation so that you can be pregnant.
Infertility is defined as a condition in which you can’t achieve pregnancy after at least a year of adequate, regular and unprotected sex.
Evaluation usually begins after one year, if a female partner is less than 35 years but after 6 months if a female partner is above 35 years of age, and immediately if a female partner is suffering from Pelvic inflammatory disease or endometriosis or a male partner with low or no sperm count.
IVF can also prevent the transmission of genetic diseases to your unborn child.
IVF is the most effective and widely known type of assisted reproductive technology (ART). IVF works by using a combination of medicines and surgical procedures to help sperm fertilize an egg, and help the fertilized eggs implant in your uterus.
IVF involves the handling of eggs, sperm and embryos in the Lab and outside the body.
IVF can be done using your eggs and sperm. Or it may involve using unknown or known donor eggs, sperm or embryos. In some cases, a gestational carrier — a surrogate mother,,,,,, someone who has an embryo implanted in her uterus might be needed to carry the pregnancy to term.
Your chances of a healthy baby using IVF as a procedure depend on your age and the cause of infertility. If more than one embryo is placed in your uterus, it can result in a multiple pregnancy.
IVF: How does it work?
First, you and your spouse undergo evaluation to identify the cause of your infertility, followed by medications to mature some of your eggs and make them ready for fertilization. This is called ovulation induction.
The follicles containing the eggs are monitored by Ultrasound, the doctor harvests the eggs out of your body at maturity. Drugs will be given to help you be relaxed and comfortable during the procedure. Under Ultrasound guided procedure, the doctor puts a thin needle connected to a hollow tube through your vagina and into the ovary and follicles that hold your eggs. The tube is connected to a suction device that gently pulls the eggs out of each follicle.
The follicular fluids are handed over to the embryologist, who mixes them with sperms in a lab, to help the sperm fertilise the egg. In the lab, your eggs are mixed with sperm cells from your partner or a donor — this is the process of insemination.
The eggs and sperm are stored together in an Incubator where fertilisation occurs.
For Seminal Fluid Analysis or sperm count that have lower motility [don’t swim well in a forward direction] or other male factor abnormalities, they may be injected directly into the eggs to promote fertilisation. As the cells in the fertilized eggs divide and become embryos, people who work at the lab monitor the progress.
The Doctor then replaces one or more fertilized eggs or embryos, if fertilization occurs 3 to 5 days after eggs retrieval, while using a thin transfer catheter passed through the cervix into your uterus.
Pregnancy occurs when any of the embryos implant in the lining of your uterus, which is confirmed by Pregnancy test after two weeks and Ultrasound scan after three weeks.
IVF has many steps, and it takes 3 weeks or more to complete the whole process.
It sometimes works on the first try, but many people need more than 1 circle of IVF to get pregnant. IVF definitely increases your chances of pregnancy if you’re having fertility problems, but there is no guarantee because body systems vary.
You can rest for the rest of the day after your embryo transfer.
Normal activities can be resumed the next day. You will have vaginal insertion and daily injections of a hormone named progesterone for the first 8-10 weeks after the embryo transfer. The hormones help better implantation in your uterus.
Why would you need IVF?
IVF is a treatment for Infertility and genetic problems.
It is a treatment of last resort when other treatments for Infertility have failed.
Before IVF you and your spouse might have used ovulation induction drugs and timed sexual intercourse without result.
You might have tried Intrauterine insemination or Artificial insemination when washed, concentrated, and treated sperms are injected into your spouse’s uterus during ovulation or when an ovary releases an egg.
Sometimes, when a woman presents for Infertility treatment at the age above 40 years, IVF is offered as the main treatment.
iVF may be suggested if your partner has the followings:
1.Fallopian tubal Damage or blockage:
Fallopian tubes are the passages for the eggs to travel from the ovaries to the uterus for fertilization and after fertilization, for the embryos to get to the uterus for implantation. If blocked, you may experience infertility.
2.Ovulation disorder: If ovulation is irregular or fails to occur. The eggs are either not released or released occasionally for fertilization.
3.Endometriosis occurs when the endometrium or tissue of uterine linings are found outside the uterus especially in the Pelvis, ovaries and fallopian tubes. It distorts the spatial relationship between the ovaries and the tubes making it difficult for the tubes to catch the eggs when released.
4.Fibroids are muscular growth in the uterus. They can block the ostia… the opening of the fallopian tubes, preventing sperms from entering the tubes as well as embryo’s implantation.
5.Intrauterine Adhesion: commonly found after uterine cavity surgical procedures like Cesarean section, Dilatation and curettage from Termination of pregnancy, fibroid removal, and infection. Scar tissue formed prevents implantation. Hysteroscopy is done to remove the scar tissue. If after Hysteroscopic adhesiolysis, no pregnancy, IVF is suggested.
6.After Tubal ligation surgery to prevent pregnancy, if you change your mind and decide to have a pregnancy, IVF may help if you don’t want surgery to reverse the ligation.
7.Male factor abnormalities: issues with sperm count, in terms of number, unusual changes in their movement or shape can make it difficult for sperm to fertilize an egg. If your sperm count tests find issues with sperms, you will need to see a Fertility Specialist to find out if there is a treatable cause or health problems that need to be addressed.
8.Unexplained Infertility occurs if no abnormality is detected after all the investigations have been carried out, yet you are not pregnant.
9.Genetic disorder: To prevent you or your spouse from transmitting genetic disease to the unborn child.The Fertility Specialist may suggest a procedure involving IVF called Pre implantation genetic testing. After eggs are harvested and fertilized, they are checked for certain genetic problems. Embryos free of genetic diseases are placed in your uterus.
10.Fertility Preservation: Radiation or Chemotherapy treatment for cancer can harm fertility. IVF can help you to have a baby in the future. Your eggs are harvested or your embryos are frozen for later use.
11.Surrogacy: People who don’t have a working uterus or whose pregnancy poses a serious health risk might choose IVF using another person to carry the pregnancy. This person is called a surrogate mother. Your eggs are fertilized with sperms and the resulting embryos are carried by the surrogate mother.
Book a consultation with our Fertility Specialist, Dr. G. L. Yahaya today, at Continental Fertility Clinic for a Comprehensive evaluation and treatments of your infertility.
\