In-Vitro Fertilization (IVF)
IVF Treatment
A journey to parenthood isn’t always as simple as trying and conceiving on the first attempt. Even for couples who conceive naturally, the period between conception and post-partum can be full of unpredictable challenges. The real struggle, however, is for couples who’ve tried everything possible to get pregnant but failed. IVF (in-vitro fertilization) is a promising treatment for such couples. The current medical scenario has reached a point where it’s possible to have a woman’s eggs fertilized by their partner’s sperm outside their uterus. Many fertility clinics have a space where fertilization can take place, and embryos can be observed until they are ready for implantation. But how does this procedure work? Does it work for every couple? What are the success rates? And how do you know if it’s time to turn to assisted reproductive technology? We’ve created a comprehensive post that answers all your questions about IVF and its role in pregnancy. Let’s get started.
A Quick Overview of IVF Treatment
In-vitro Fertilization is a widely performed assisted reproductive technology (ART) among couples who can’t get pregnant naturally after one year of trying. The procedure works for both female and male-factor infertility. It may sound simple, but the entire procedure is pretty complex and can sometimes take 2-3 weeks or longer.IVF is a series of steps, starting with ovarian stimulation (getting your ovaries to release mature eggs) and ending with embryo implantation. Before you set any unrealistic expectations, know that IVF isn’t a suitable treatment option for every couple. Whether or not it works for you depends on your age and the cause of infertility.
Who needs IVF?
Your fertility specialist may recommend IVF if you have any of these issues:
- Blocked fallopian tubes
- Endometriosis
- Uterine fibroids
- Unexplained infertility
- Blocked or damaged fallopian tubes
- Poor quality sperm or low sperm count in men
- PCOS-related infertility
- Genetic disorder
IVF can mitigate the risks of pregnancy-related complications due to age or existing medical conditions. For instance, women above 35-40 are at increased risk of complications during pregnancy and childbirth. IVF involves preimplantation genetic testing, which screens embryos thoroughly to ensure only the best quality embryo is transferred to the uterus, minimizing the risk of miscarriage and other complications.
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IVF Benefits and Risks
Benefits
- Works for Male-Factor Infertility: In addition to female-related infertility issues, IVF has proven successful for couples with male-factor infertility. Procedures like ICSI and testicular aspiration can help with sperm extraction and fertilization.
- Improved Odds of Conception: If all non-invasive treatments have proven ineffective in your case, IVF can help you achieve your parenthood dream.
- Advanced Screening: IVF eliminates the risk of passing genetic diseases, like cystic fibrosis, or chromosomal abnormalities to your babies through advanced medical procedures like preimplantation genetic diagnosis.
- Egg Preservation: Couples can opt for egg or embryo freezing. This minimizes the risk of age-related fertility issues in couples who want to have babies in their 40s.
Risk
- Multiple Pregnancy: In IVF, multiple embryos are transferred to the woman’s uterus to maximize the chance of one of them implanting successfully. This can lead to multiple embryos getting implanted, increasing the risk of premature delivery, low-birth-weight babies, and c-section birth.
- OHSS: Hormone shots can cause Ovarian Hyperstimulation Syndrome (OHSS)
- Miscarriage: IVF carries the same risk of miscarriage as a person getting pregnant naturally. It’s 15% for women in their 20s and 50% for people above 40.
In Vitro Fertilization Stages
In-vitro fertilization may sound daunting to couples who’ve never heard of assisted reproductive technology. The process doesn’t guarantee pregnancy, making it even more difficult for couples to decide if it’s the right option. To help you navigate through this journey with ease, we’ve listed down the steps during IVF. Here’s what you can expect during each stage:
1: Ovarian Stimulation
Your ovaries release one egg every month. If you have irregular ovulation or absent ovulation, your doctor will prescribe hormone shots that stimulate your ovaries to release more than one egg at a time. This prepares multiple eggs for retrieval and fertilization. The procedure involves injecting Follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), Luteinizing Hormone (LH), and chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) shots. The dosage and duration of these shots are determined based on your ovarian health and how you respond to the medication. You will be monitored with ultrasounds and bloodwork to track the egg’s maturation.
2: Egg Retrieval
The next step is egg retrieval. At this point, your fertility specialist will collect mature eggs from one or both ovaries. It’s done either through transvaginal or abdominal ultrasound. A thin needle is guided to the ovaries. The needle is attached to a suction device, which extracts the eggs from the follicles. The process takes around 15-20 minutes. The collected eggs are stored in an embryology lab, where they are mixed with sperm for fertilization.
3: Sperm Retrieval
Sperm retrieval is performed in your doctor’s clinic, or your partner can collect the sperm sample at home and send it to the fertility clinic. It’s done through masturbation mostly, but if the male partner is diagnosed with azoospermia or other fertility issues, the doctor can get sperm out of the testicles through testicular aspiration. The sample goes to the lab, where professionals separate the semen from the sperm and choose the healthy sperm for fertilization.
4: Fertilization
The most crucial stage in an IVF cycle is fertilization. Once the egg and sperm samples are collected, they are united in a petri dish for overnight fertilization. If that doesn’t work, the embryologist might opt for ICSI, which involves injecting sperm into the egg manually to boost the chances of fertilization.
5: Embryo Culture
The embryologist carefully monitors the fertilized eggs. They see if the eggs divide and develop properly and transform into an embryo. At this point, the couples may decide to have preimplantation Genetic Testing, in which the doctors take a small sample (a few cells once the fertilized egg reaches the blastocyst stage) and send it to the lab for screening. The eggs with appropriate chromosomal makeup are picked for implantation..
6: Embryo Transfer
It takes fertilized eggs 3-6 days to be ready for transfer. The procedure takes place in your doctor’s office. A catheter (long, thin tube) with a thin needle attached to its end is inserted into the uterus through the vagina. One or more embryos are transferred to the woman’s uterus through the catheter. If it’s successful, the embryo will attach to the uterine lining, resulting in an implantation and a successful pregnancy. You can use the home pregnancy test kit 10-12 days after embryo transfer. If the results are positive, you’ll be referred to a gynecologist. If it’s negative, you’ll likely get your period in a few days.
Time Required for IVF Cycle
IVF cycle usually takes 4-6 weeks, but the exact duration can vary for each case. Here’s a breakdown of the timeframe for each phase:
- Ovarian Stimulation: 10-14 days
- Egg Retrieval: 1 day
- Fertilization: Usually happens overnight
- Embryo Culture: 5 days
- Embryo Transfer: 1 day
You need to wait for two weeks to test for pregnancy after completing an IVF cycle.
What is IVF Injections
A vital step in an IVF cycle is hormone injections. These are administered during the ovarian stimulation phase to get your ovaries to release multiple eggs at a time.
FSH and LH: Your fertility specialist will prescribe FSH and LH shots that accelerate the follicle development and maturation process, which prepares multiple eggs for fertilization. The injections are given on the 2nd or 3rd day of your menstrual cycle and are continued for 10-14 days. You will be closely monitored with ultrasound and blood tests to check your ovarian health and egg development.
Gonadotropins: Around 36 hours before your egg retrieval is scheduled, you are given hCG shots that work as a final step for egg maturation and release.
Progesterone: Your body naturally produces progesterone in an amount sufficient for thickening your endometrial lining. If your progesterone levels are low, the doctor will administer the hormone shots to support proper implantation and help support pregnancy in the first few weeks.
Lifestyle and Emotional Support
IVF is a rollercoaster. You go through so many emotions, some of which can take a toll on your mental health. However, an essential requirement for a successful IVF cycle is a de-stressed mind. Get support from your spouse and family during this journey and seek professional help. Focus on self-care. You need to be in good shape, physically and mentally, to achieve pregnancy. Moreover, setting realistic expectations based on the IVF success rate will help you avoid disappointments.
IVF Success Rates
IVF success rate in Pakistan is determined based on your age, cause of infertility, existing medical conditions, and other factors. For women under 35, the success rate is as high as 40%, and for those above 40, it drops drastically to 4%
Why IVF Fails
A failed IVF can be emotionally exhausting for couples who put all their hopes in the procedure. Understanding the reasons why IVF fails can help you plan your next steps wisely.
- Age: Age-related declines in egg quantity and quality lower your chances of natural pregnancy and make IVF less effective.
- Chromosomal Defect: Embryos may appear healthy in the lab, but they can have chromosomal defects that keep them from implanting successfully. Fortunately, PGT can help detect such issues early on so that the best embryos can be selected for implantation.
- Implantation Failure: The embryo might fail to implant due to a thin uterine lining or polyps and fibroids in the uterus. It is, therefore, important to treat the existing uterine issues before attempting IVF.
- Lifestyle Factors: Smoking, excessive consumption of alcohol, leading a sedentary lifestyle, too much stress, and obesity are a few other factors that can negatively affect your IVF success.
- Unfavorable Uterine Environment: Uterine anomalies and active infection can prevent the embryo from attaching to the uterine lining and surviving in the womb.
Why the Australian Concept is Best Fit for IVF in Pakistan
Australian Concept Infertility Medical Center is an ISO-certified fertility clinic established in 1988. We have over 100 years of collective IVF experience and have a record of helping 15000+ couples achieve pregnancy. From our time-lapse incubators that monitor embryos round the clock to advanced medical infrastructure supporting IVF, ICSI ,IUI ,PGD ,PGT,PGS, frozen embryo transfer, and test tube babies, we have equipped our center with every possible fertility technology to help you conceive and give live birth. Australian Concept Infertility Medical Center provides comprehensive fertility baseline tests with the most accurate results, performed using state-of-the-art machines.
