Starting the IVF treatment process can be a soul-stirring experience. The more you perceive about what’s coming next, the more in control you’ll feel. So keep reading! To know about Test tube baby(self IVF) treatment for infertility and be ready to shift your fearful energy into positive energy.
Thanks to years of advancement, now test tube baby(self IVF) is possible! It involves a lot of commitment, persistence, and potential roadblocks. If you want to know about test tube baby(self IVF) or if considering it, then this blog will be of great help to you, so here we go, let’s start with the basics-
What is IVF and Test tube baby(self IVF)?
IVF also called In vitro fertilization is the fertility treatment and comes in the advanced methodology of ART technique. ART – Assisted Reproductive Technology. During the procedure of IVF, an embryo is placed into the uterus of the female partner to achieve pregnancy; there can be two types of IVF cycle -donor cycle IVF and self cycle IVF. Self cycle IVF is when the patient suffering from infertility use their own eggs and sperms and no the donor’s egg or sperm. Also in the test tube baby(self IVF) process patients inject medications, injections on their own or sometimes take help from their partner or fertility care team.
Some important points to consider when taking the journey of fertility through Test tube baby(self IVF)
- Make sure to research the whole process before starting with the journey
- The process can turn a bit stressful, so be prepared to handle it, seek help from your fertility doctor, it can’t handle it all alone
- Ask your doctor anything and everything that will make you feel well prepared and empowered and help you ease the uncertainty that’s typical during the test tube baby(self IVF) process
- Injecting hormonal injections is no fun, it can be taxing, and along the way can come mood swings, thanks to the influx of hormones, so be prepared! Don’t you worry; you can easily handle it with some research work and lifestyle changes. Just make sure to stick to your healthy lifestyle
Advantages of Test tube baby(self IVF)
- Test tube baby(self IVF) requires less time at the clinic, a small number of blood tests
- Patients opting for test tube baby(self IVF) saves on donor costs- it is generally expensive
- You get to use your own genetics
Disadvantages of Test tube baby(self IVF)
- For some patients self, IVF is not the best option, as people with genetic conditions have risks of passing down health problems to their babies. Test tube baby(self IVF) should be avoided in this case, you should talk with your fertility expert regarding opting for test tube baby(self IVF)
- Also with test tube baby(self IVF) treatment, the older women who are having low AMH, it can make their success rates drop
- The emotional toll from treatment that has a very small chance for success
- Medical risks –infection, bleeding
“Women over 43 years of age, Women over 42 years of age with any of the following: FSH> 9, AMH <1.0, Antral Follicle Count (AFC)<10, should not undertake test tube baby(self IVF) treatment.”
What is the process?
Step 1 – Stimulation
This is the first step of the IVF process and this stimulation process starts on the second day of menses; you can expect this process to go around for 11 days. After that trigger injections are given to retrieve eggs, a fertility specialist monitors your ovaries and make sure your ovaries are producing eggs. Additionally, they also examine the hormonal level. During this process, fertility medicines are provided to the patients so that ovaries can release multiple eggs.
Step 2 – Egg Retrieval
Once the eggs are supposed to be matured, egg retrieval procedure is facilitated by the selected IVF veteran experts. This process is conducted under light sedition to reduce pain or discomfort. With the help of a hollow needle, the egg retrieval procedure is done. On the same day of egg retrieval step, semen sample collection is achieved. Sperms and eggs are kept on culture dish for natural fertilization.
Step 3 – Fertilization of the eggs and sperm
This step is about fertilizing either by insemination (sperm and eggs are incubated overnight) or Intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) a single sperm is injected directly in a mature egg. Male sperm is placed together with the very best high-quality eggs. Eggs and sperm are then stored in an environmental control chamber leading to fertilization. The sperm eventually fertilizes an egg within a few hours after insemination. However, if the doctors think the chances of fertilization are low, the sperm may be directly injected into the egg.
Step 4 – Embryo Freezing (Cryopreservation)
You can choose the option of embryo freezing if any viable embryos are not used. The main aim of freezing embryos is to preserve embryos for later use. Before embryo freezing can take place, there should be suitable embryos created. Embryo freezing is a method of preserving the viability of embryos. The process is carried out in the laboratory using specialized freezing equipment, the embryo is frozen usually through vitrification, this preserves the embryo without forming damaging crystals and the embryos are stored in liquid nitrogen.
‘’A correctly frozen embryo can remain viable for any length of time.’’
Note – You can also freeze embryos with donor sperm and fight against your tickling biological clocks.
Step 5 – Embryo Culture
When the fertilized egg divides, it further develops into an embryo. The laboratory staff regularly checks the embryo to make sure it matures properly. It takes 3-5 days for a normal embryo to mature.
Step 6 – Embryo Transfer
It is the last step of the IVF process in which an embryo is examined and the healthiest one is selected for transfer. Embryo transfer is a simple process that does not require any anaesthesia. With the use of a speculum, an embryo is transferred via a plastic tube that is inserted through the cervix into the uterine cavity. This step is performed at the doctor’s clinic.
Additional Step – Laser Assisted Hatching
Sometimes an additional process is used to provide further help for older women -Laser Assisted Hatching is a new scientific technique found for women to help with the embryo implantation. Patients who are poor responders to gonadotropin( Hormones) stimulation or have had previously failed implantation may benefit from this procedure. It is a technique that is performed before embryo transfer, in this process- the embryologists use micromanipulation technique requiring the use of microscopic tools, microscope to create a small hole in the zona pellucida(protective outer shell), the embryos are then washed to remove any excess acidic solution and returned to incubator for few hours before transferring it into the uterus. Laser-assisted hatching requires less handling of the embryo than other assisted hatching methods and the best-suited candidate for laser-assisted hatching procedure are above the age of 37.
‘’Studies have shown that laser-assisted hatching improves IVF success rates in both fresh embryo transfers and frozen embryo transfers.”
Post Procedure
Once the embryo has been transferred, you can go back to your regular schedule and a piece of major advice after embryo transfer is to stay mentally healthy and positive.
Note – Anxiety impacts egg production and quality, so don’t take any stress!
How successful is a Test tube baby(self IVF)?
IVF success rates lessen with age, but numerous women in their early and mid-40s can still conceive with their own eggs if they are given appropriate fertility treatment.
“The live birth success rate for women under 35 who start an IVF cycle is 40 per cent. However, women over age 42 have a 4 per cent success rate, so if you are over the age of 42, donor eggs are a suitable option for you.
Fight infertility with IVF Spring Hospital
At IVF Spring Fertility Clinic, we make sure to help all ages of women get pregnant with their own eggs or by donor eggs. We make sure to implement a personalized treatment plan tailored to each patient’s circumstance. Also, the IVF procedure is simple and uncomplicated at IVF Spring Fertility Clinic. During your IVF procedure, you won’t experience any type of discomfort or discontent through the entire steps of the treatment and you can complete the process by visiting only 3-4 times to the clinic. IVF Spring Center knows what you are going through and we make sure that you believe in your parenthood dream.