In-vitro fertilization (IVF)
IVF is a process in which an egg is extracted from the female and a sperm is taken from a male, and these are fertilized outside in a controlled environment. Further, this fertilized embryo is then inserted into the mother’s body where it can grow naturally.
The IVF treatment is often prescribed to those couples who, for some reason, are unable to conceive naturally. This medical situation is called Infertility.
The IVF process involves assisted reproduction by monitoring a woman’s ovulatory process, removing ovum or ova (egg or eggs) from the woman’s ovaries and letting sperm fertilize them in a fluid medium in a laboratory, and then transferring them to the patient’s uterus with the intention of establishing a successful pregnancy.
Why IVF Is Needed? Reason for inability to conceive naturally?
The Causes for Infertility can be many:
1) Endometriosis – Endometriosis is a disease in which tissue similar to the lining of the uterus grows outside the uterus. It can cause severe pain in the pelvis and make it harder to get pregnant.
2) Low sperm counts – Low sperm count can be genetic or age-related. The low sperm count is also the result of stress, drug usage, and over alcoholism, causing male infertility.
3) Problems with the uterus or fallopian tubes – Many times, there are blockages caused by Fibroids and cysts blocking the natural routes of conception.
4) Problems with ovulation – There can be hormonal imbalances causing periods and ovulation cycles to change giving rise to infertility.
5) Antibody problems that harm sperm or eggs – Some times due to genetic or environmental causes the quality of sperms gets impacted. Though there will be sperms but they are unable to fertilize the eggs.
6) The inability of sperm to penetrate or survive in the cervical mucus – Cervical mucus is a fluid produced by the cervix that changes throughout the menstrual cycle, influenced by hormonal fluctuations. It plays a crucial role in fertility by either aiding or hindering sperm movement.
7) An unexplained fertility problem – Some times infertility cannot be explained. Such issues are often related to mental health of either of the partners and may include situation like depression, anxiety and stress. This can cause both male infertility and female infertility.
8) Depleting Egg Count – Late marriages or usage of external long-term medications deplete the quality of eggs causing infertility.
9) PCOD – Polycystic Ovarian Disorder – where a woman produces more male hormones then normal.
Treatment for Infertility due to cysts and Fibroids
In case the tubes are blocked by Cysts (Ovarian Cysts) or Fibroids, it is highly advisable to go for surgeries for cyst removal or Fibroids removals. Fibroids removals or cysts removals are fairly simple procedures and have been immensely helpful in treating primary infertility.
Who should go through IVF or if you are good candidate for IVF?
Women under 40 years can go for up to three cycles of IVF treatment if You have been trying to get pregnant through regular unprotected intercourse for two years or more. Additionally, the uterus is healthy enough to keep the conception for due course of time.
How IVF is performed
Step one: Suppressing the natural monthly cycle.
You are given a drug that will suppress your natural menstrual cycle. This is given either as a daily injection (which you’ll be taught to give yourself) or as a nasal spray. You continue this for about two weeks.
Step two: Boosting the egg supply
Once your natural cycle is suppressed, you take a fertility hormone called FSH (follicle-stimulating hormone). These fertility hormones are known as Gonadotrophins. This is another daily injection that you give yourself, usually for about 12 days, but it can vary depending on your response.
Step three: Checking on progress.
The clinic will keep an eye on you throughout the drug treatment. You will have vaginal ultrasound scans to monitor your ovaries and, in some cases, blood tests. About 34-36 hours before your eggs are due to be collected, you’ll have a final hormone injection that helps your eggs to mature.
Step four: Collecting the eggs.
For the egg collection, you’ll be sedated and your eggs will be collected under ultrasound guidance. This involves a needle being inserted through the vagina and into each ovary. The eggs are then collected through the needle.
Step five: Fertilizing the eggs
The eggs that have been collected are mixed with your partner’s or the donor’s sperm in the laboratory. After 16-20 hours they’re checked to see if any have been fertilized.
The cells that have been fertilized (embryos) continue to grow in the laboratory for one to five days before being transferred into the womb. The best one or two embryos will be chosen for transfer.
After egg collection, you will be given booster medicines to help prepare the lining of the womb to receive the embryo. This is given either as a pessary (which is placed inside the vagina) or an injection
Step six: Embryo transfer.
Women under 37 in their first IVF cycle should only have a single embryo transfer. In their second IVF cycle, they should have a single embryo transfer if one or more top-quality embryos are available. In the third IVF cycle, no more than two embryos should be transferred.
Women aged 37–39 years in the first and second full IVF cycles should also have single embryo transfer no more than two embryos should be transferred.
For women aged 40-42 years, double embryo transfer can be considered.
Good doctors for IVF –
- Dr Seema Manjunath // Sarvodaya Hospitals // Faridabad – Delhi NCR
- Dr. Nirmala C // Gleneagles Hospitals // Bangalore
- Dr. Vikas Yadav // Sharda University Hospital // Noida – Delhi NCR
Common FAQs That Many Patients Ask
How much does IVF cost in India? – The cost of IVF in India ranges between $3600 and $4200, depending on the hospital chosen.
Is India good for IVF treatment? – India is one of the best destinations to go to for IVF treatment as it gives one of the best results in the world.
Is IVF painful in India? – IVF is not at all painful. For those ladies who have very low pain tolerance, even the egg pick-up can be done under local anesthesia.
Is IVF a safe option? – IVF is a very safe option as it does not have any side effects.
What is the success rate of IVF India? – The success rates depend upon the age of the couples and on the fact of how many times the couple has gone through failed attempts previously.
