What is IVF?

IVF stands for In-Vitro Fertilization, a procedure where a woman’s eggs are gently retrieved from her ovaries and then fertilized with her partner’s sperm in an ART (Assisted Reproductive Technology) laboratory. The embryos formed outside the body are subsequently placed back into the uterus using a special catheter, creating the potential for pregnancy.

Is IVF for Me?

IVF may be recommended under various conditions, including:

• Bilateral tubal blockage
• Repeated IUI failures
• PCOS cases not responding to medical management
• Advanced maternal age
• Severe endometriosis
• Frozen pelvis
• Premature ovarian failure
• Diminished ovarian reserve
• Oligoasthenospermia

How is the Procedure Performed?

The IVF process unfolds in several stages:

1. Commencement of Treatment: Your fertility experts will advise you on the appropriate day to start your treatment based on your menstrual cycle. This is usually between 11 am and 5 pm at our center.
2. Ovarian Stimulation: Medications are administered to stimulate your ovaries, encouraging them to produce multiple eggs, thus increasing the chances of pregnancy. Depending on your case history and reports, one of two protocols will be recommended: the Long Protocol (Agonist Protocol) or the Short Protocol (Antagonist Protocol).
3. Follicular Monitoring: Regular vaginal ultrasound examinations are conducted to assess how your ovaries respond to the injections. Dose or duration adjustments may be made based on your response. In some cases, if there’s poor response, your doctor may recommend canceling the IVF cycle.
4. HCG Trigger: A blood test may be advised to trigger the final maturation of eggs, making them ready for collection, which occurs about 34 to 36 hours later.
5. Ovum Pick-Up (Collection of Eggs): Eggs are gently extracted from the ovaries under appropriate anesthesia and transvaginal sonography guidance. The procedure takes 15-30 minutes, and you can return home 4 to 6 hours after the process.
6. Embryo Formation: Sperm and eggs are combined in a specialized medium, where fertilization takes place, leading to embryo formation.
7. Embryo Transfer: Depending on clinical and embryological assessments, one or more embryos are placed into the uterus using a special catheter, typically on day 2nd to day 5th.
8. Confirmation of Pregnancy: Supportive medications are administered for the next 15 days. At the end of this period, a urine pregnancy test or serum beta-hCG test is conducted to confirm pregnancy.