A procedure used in fertility treatment where eggs are collected from a woman’s ovaries and fertilized with sperm in a controlled environment outside the body, typically in a laboratory setting.
Purpose: IVF helps couples with infertility issues conceive a child when other treatments have failed.
Process of IVF
- Ovarian Stimulation:
- Woman receives hormonal medications to stimulate ovaries to produce multiple eggs.
- Progress monitored through ultrasound and hormone level tests.
- Egg Retrieval:
- Eggs are retrieved from ovaries using a minor surgical procedure under sedation and are then placed in a culture dish and incubated.
- Sperm Collection and Fertilization:
The sperm is obtained either from the male partner or a sperm donor, and then combined with the eggs in a laboratory dish to facilitate fertilization.
- Embryo Culture:
- Fertilized eggs (embryos) are monitored as they develop.
- Typically cultured for 3-5 days before transfer.
- Embryo Transfer:
Following fertilization, embryos are transferred into the woman’s uterus through a thin catheter, with a subsequent rest period to facilitate implantation
Success Rates and Factors
- Success rates vary with factors such as age, cause of infertility, and clinic expertise.
- Multiple cycles may be needed for successful pregnancy.
Risks and Considerations
- Physical Risks:
- Ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome (OHSS).
- Multiple births (twins or more) increase health risks.
- Emotional and Financial Considerations:
- Emotional stress due to uncertainty of outcome.
- Financial costs can be substantial, often not covered by insurance.
Ethical and Legal Issues
- Concerns over multiple embryo implantation and selective reduction.
- Legal regulations regarding embryo storage and donation.
IVF offers hope through advanced fertility treatment, improving success rates while requiring careful consideration of medical, emotional, and ethical factors before pursuing this transformative journey toward parenthood.
