IVF
IVF- allows the egg and the sperm to meet before the embryo is reintroduced in the womb.This consists of putting the eggs and the sperm together on a laboratory plate/well, and then injecting the fertilised egg(s) into the womb. IVF consists of an initial hormonal treatment which lasts about a month to increase the number of eggs that you are producing; it can be administered in the form of an oral medication or a series of injections.
It is important to note that, in cases where there are no problems with ovulation? or tubule blockage, some practitioners may instead recommend the use of ‘friendly IVF’ (which excludes the initial hormonal treatment) (ref).
Most of the time, the injections are intended to stimulate the maximum production of eggs. The injections usually contain GnRH? hormone? for 2 weeks and then FSH? (which is occasionally combined with LH?) for about 3 weeks. After this, the eggs are ready for collection. The eggs will then be collected at the ovaries before they are released (i.e. before ovulation occurs).
- Fertilisation?
Once the eggs and sperm are put together in the plate/well (in vitro), they are incubated in the correct medium and at the ideal temperature, and hopefully some of the eggs will be fertilised. Between two to five days later, (usually) two embryos are injected into the womb and the others are frozen. This procedure is usually not very painful as a long, thin catheter, rather than a needle, is attached to the syringe.
- What is the success rate of IVF?
IVF is quite effective and can achieve the same rate of pregnancy as natural conception? (there is around a 1 in 4 chance of success). It can be used to provide a solution to different types of infertility, particularly if they are male-related. Indeed, if the woman has an ovulation defect, then IVF is the first medical option to consider. If there is a defect in the quality or concentration of the sperm, IVF is also a suitable option as the sperm might otherwise struggle to make their way to the eggs in sufficient volumes for fertilisation to occur. The other situation in which IVF can be considered is when anti-sperm antibodies are being produced, as these affect the motility of the sperm. IVF can also be used if both of the woman’s Fallopian tubes? are blocked as this would not allow the sperm to meet the egg either naturally or via insemination.
- What are the disadvantages of IVF?
Despite its high success rates, this procedure is nonetheless quite invasive and, according to various studies, around a third of couples decide not to continue after the first attempt if it has been unsuccessful.
- How often can I undergo IVF?
IVF can only be performed three to four times a year; it is necessary to give the body time to recover between hormonal stimulations. This is not only important for your ovaries, but also for your general wellbeing, as high doses of hormones will have a significant effect on your body in one way or another. However, it is important that you and your partner do not stop trying for a baby during the months when you are not undergoing stimulation. DuoFertility can help you to identify when is the best time to try to conceive in between IVF cycles.
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