If you are looking forward to having a baby and struggling with it, IVF can help you. It is a promising medical procedure that has helped many couples reach their goals. The process is not very complex if you get an idea of it. Here is a detailed overview of IVF if you are considering it. Read on!

What is IVF?

IVF, or In Vitro Fertilization, is a reproductive process that assists women in getting pregnant in case of difficulty conceiving. In this medical technology, the fertilization process of the egg takes place outside the mother’s body.

In this complex procedure, the egg is taken out from the female part, and sperm is collected from the male, then the combination is completed manually. After fertilization, the embryo is planted carefully inside the mother’s uterus. Then as part of the normal reproduction process, the embryo grows in the uterus wall.

Process of IVF

Below mentioned are the steps that are involved in In Vitro Fertilization:

●        Menstrual Cycle Regulation

The very first thing that your doctor ensures is a regular menstrual cycle. Then, if you have cysts, the doctor will provide birth control pills or any kind of estrogen medicine. This will regulate your cycle, and your eggs will mature to come out. When the number of mature eggs increases, the egg retrieval procedure can be done.

There are several types of medication that are prescribed to the female. First, the doctor notes the existing health condition and then acts upon the matter.

●        Ovarian Stimulation

The next step of the IVF process is Ovarian Stimulation. This is a complex method as it requires regular monitoring of the doctor. This is the process that helps in the extraction of the egg.

The doctor first checks your medical history and injects hormones inside the female that will result in the maturity of the whole bunch of eggs. Generally, in the natural ovulation process, one egg moves to the uterus as it matures. But here, the doctor aims at maturing the whole set to have a bunch of eggs for promising results.

After monitoring and checking what works best, the doctor starts with the trigger shot that injects the hormone, and the egg develops.

●        Getting The Egg

Egg retrieval is a vital step where egg extraction is done. This process is completed in the laboratory. First, the female is injected with mild sedation to ensure no discomfort. Then through the vagina, a needle is pushed into the uterus. From the follicle, with the help of suction, the eggs are pulled out.

These extracted eggs are then carefully put in a special solution that keeps them safe until put into the incubator. This incubator ensures good condition of the eggs until the process of fertilization. This process takes place exactly 36 hours after the last trigger shot. 

●        Fertilization

As soon as possible, the egg is fertilized with the collected sperm. This happens using intracytoplasmic sperm injection. First, all the eggs are injected with sperm. Then there is a huge chance of 70% of the eggs getting fertilized. The one who completes the process becomes the embryo. If there are many eggs, and you wish to freeze some for future use, that can be done too. 

●        Development of Embryo

In the upcoming days, the developmental process of the embryo will be closely monitored. But, first, the doctor waits until the embryo reaches the blastocyst stage of development. In this stage, the embryo becomes ready to be put in the uterus.

●        Transfer

The transfer procedure is done after five to six days of fertilization. There are two types of methods; the first is fresh embryo transfer, where the freshly Fertilized embryo is planted in the uterus.

The second type is the frozen embryo transfer which can be delayed in various cases. For example, it can take up to a year. In the meantime, the female prepares her uterus to receive and develop the embryo.

The transfer takes a maximum of 10 minutes. First, the doctor uses a syringe inserted into the vagina and then into the cervix, injecting prepared embryos. 

●        Pregnancy

The last and final step is pregnancy. In this process, the doctor examines your blood report to ensure you are pregnant. This test is done within 9 to 14 days after completing the transfer procedure.

Conclusion

IVF is a safe and revolutionary medical success. It is a procedure that can be considered when you have issues conceiving. The above information is just an overview of the medical process. Talking to your health care assistant or doctor regarding details is essential when considering the option of In Vitro Fertilization.