IVF Treatment is an Assisted Reproductive Technique in which the eggs are collected from the ovaries and fertilized with the sperm in a specialized IVF laboratory. The fertilized egg (embryo) is allowed to grow in a protected environment for some days before being transferred into the woman's uterus increasing the chance that a pregnancy will occur.

The process of fertilization takes place over a few hours and a number of embryos can form. The embryos are grown in the laboratory until Day 5 or 6 known as the Blastocyst stage because there is strong evidence that these embryos are more likely to implant into the uterus. Fertilised embryos are transferred to the woman's uterus in a simple procedure called an embryo transfer. If more than two embryos develop, the surplus can be frozen for use in subsequent cycles. If there are issues around sperm quality, the process of fertilization is carried out by Intracytoplasmic Sperm Injection (ICSI). This is where one sperm is inserted into each egg.

The complete procedure of IVF cycle may last from 2 to 3 weeks. The procedure of IVF includes:

Step 1- Controlled ovarian Stimulation

During the stimulation phase of an IVF cycle, hormones(gonadotropins) are given. The length of the stimulation phase depends on the response to the medication regimen. Monitoring with blood tests and ultrasound of the ovaries helps us to follow this response.

Step 2- Egg retrieval ( Ovum pick up)

Here you are given mild sedation and the eggs are collected with the help of a special needle that is attached to the ultrasound probe. After egg retrieval, you are asked to use the medication that prepares the lining of the womb for embryo transfer in case a fresh embryo transfer is planned for you. Eggs can sometimes be frozen and stored if you want to delay the process of becoming pregnant or if the uterine lining is not adequate or the hormonal parameters are not within range for a fresh transfer.

Step 3- Sperm retrieval:

The husband is asked to produce a semen sample which is washed thoroughly with media, and the sperms that show maximum motility are selected. Such sperms can be used fresh for fertilizing the egg or frozen and used later on.

Step 4- Fertilizing the eggs.

Retrieved eggs are fertilized either by conventional insemination, the placement of eggs and sperm in a culture-containing dish or by intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI). The eggs are regularly monitored to confirm the fertilization.

Step 5- Embryo transfer into the uterus:

Embryologists monitor the embryos' growth and viability to determine whether a day 3 or day 5 transfer should be done. Embryo transfers three days after retrieval when the embryo contains four-to-eight cells) may be done or embryos are often transferred five days after retrieval and fertilization (Day 5 transfer or blastocyst transfer). A small catheter is inserted through which the embryo is placed in your uterus. If the procedure is successful, it takes about six to ten days for the implantation to occur.

The embryologist evaluates any remaining embryos for cryopreservation (freezing). Embryo cryopreservation gives patients who wish to have another child the option to have an embryo transferred at a later date without having to complete another IVF cycle.

After Transfer

Two weeks after retrieval, a pregnancy blood test is performed. If this test is positive, the patient is considered four weeks pregnant.

Are there any risks with IVF treatment?

Though IVF treatment is a safe procedure, some women may develop minor problems.

While you are on fertility drugs you may experience the side effects of headache, mood swings, and abdominal pain.Use of fertility medications may also cause ovarian hyper-stimulation syndrome which is a very rare condition. This is completely avoidable with proper monitoring during the ovarian stimulation cycle by the Fertility specialist.