IVF, or in vitro fertilization, is a medical procedure that helps individuals and couples with fertility problems conceive a child. Here is a basic overview of the process:
Stimulation: A woman takes hormonal drugs to stimulate her ovaries, encouraging the production of multiple eggs instead of the single egg normally released each month.
Egg Retrieval: Once the eggs are ready, they are retrieved from the uterus through a small surgical procedure.
Fertilization: The retrieved eggs are then combined with sperm (from a partner or donor) in a laboratory setting. In some cases, a sperm is injected directly into the egg in a procedure called intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI).
Embryo Culture: Fertilized eggs, now embryos, are monitored and allowed to grow in the lab for a few days.
Embryo Transfer: One or more of the healthy embryos are transferred to the woman’s uterus, where they implant and lead to a successful pregnancy.
Follow-Up: Two weeks after the embryo transfer, a pregnancy test is done to check if the procedure was successful.
IVF Success Rates and Considerations
Success rates for IVF vary depending on factors such as age, egg and sperm quality, and underlying health conditions. In general, the success rate decreases with age, especially for women over 35. IVF can be emotionally and physically demanding, with the side effects of hormone therapy and the possibility of requiring multiple cycles.
Why People Choose IVF
IVF can be used to treat a variety of fertility problems, including:
- Blocked or damaged fallopian tubes
- Low sperm count or motility
- Unexplained infertility
- Genetic concerns because IVF allows genetic screening of embryos
- Advanced maternal age
IVF is recommended when other fertility treatments have not worked or when other methods are unlikely to be effective.