More About IVF

Diagnosis for performing IVF Treatment

IVF is performed in cases of infertility which may be due to

• Advanced age of the woman

• Damaged or blocked Fallopian tubes

• Decreased sperm count and blockage causing male infertility

• Unexplained infertility

• Endometriosis

• Ovulation disorders ,uterine fibroids

Procedure of IVF Treatment

I: Stimulation of ovaries also called super ovulation

• Medicines, called fertility drugs, are given to the woman to boost egg production.

• Blood tests for hormone levels and ultrasounds to examine ovaries are performed regularly .

II: Egg retrieval/ follicular aspiration

• Procedure called follicular aspiration, is done to remove the eggs from the woman's body.

• The is performed as an  outpatient procedure under sedation with  no incision only by using ultrasound images as  guide, a thin needle is inserted into the ovary and sacs (follicles) containing the eggs. The needle is connected to a suction device, which pulls the eggs and fluid out of each follicle, one at a time.

• The procedure is repeated for the other ovary.

• In few  cases  laparoscopy may be performed to remove the eggs .

• If a woman does not or cannot produce any eggs, donor eggs may be used.

III: Insemination

• Sperm is placed together with the best quality eggs. The mixing of the sperm and egg is called insemination.

• Eggs and sperm are then stored in an environmentally controlled chamber. The sperm most often enters (fertilizes) an egg a few hours after insemination.

• In few cases the sperm may be directly injected into the egg. This is called intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI).

• Many a doctors   routinely do ICSI on some of the eggs, even if things appear normal.

IV :  Transfer of embryo to uterus

• When the fertilized egg divides, it becomes an embryo. Laboratory staff will regularly check the embryo to make sure it is growing properly. Within about 5 days, a normal embryo has several cells that are actively dividing

• Embryos are placed into the uterus  3 to 5 days after  fertilization through a catheter

•  If an embryo implants in the lining of the womb and grows, pregnancy results.

• More than one embryo may be placed into the uterus at the same time, which can lead to twins, triplets, or more.

After the Procedure of IVF

• Rest adviced for the remainder day , most can return to normal activities by next day .

• Complete bed rest not required .

• Recommended daily hormone progesterone for 8-10 weeks for normal course of pregnancy and to avoid miscarriage.

• Pregnancy test  performed about 12 to 14 days after the embryo transfer.

Complications of IVF treatment

• Chances of multiple pregnancies as more than one embryo is placed in uterus ,leading  high risk of premature birth and low birth weight baby.

• Egg retrieval can  result in  bleeding, infection, and damage to ovaries and surrounding structures. 

• There may be temporary  cramping after egg retrieval which may last for a day or two.

• Many couples suffer psychological stress and depression especially if IVF not successful .

• Financially and emotionally challenging treatment .

• Rarely  fertility medications  may cause ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome (OHSS).

Factors affecting cost of IVF

The cost to the patient depends on a variety of factors like

• The hospital, the patient chooses.

• Fee for the team of doctors.

• Medicines.

• Standard test and diagnostic procedures.

• Cost of the procedure

• Cost of the follow –up care required after the procedure

IVF Procedure: 3.17 Min