Your Guide to IVF Process | What is IVF?

Rashika was married for three years now, and all attempts of conceiving were failing. It was her routine visit to her gynecologist when her doctor said, “Yours seems like a case of primary infertility. You should now meet an infertility specialist and consider IVF process for conceiving”.

IVF – the word sounded miserable, complicated and scary. The word hit her like a storm. She took a lot of time to process it.

Yes, this happens with a lot of couples undergoing infertility – the word IVF overwhelms them, and they actually waste a lot of time processing and accepting it.

So, this article is to reassure you to not be scared of IVF process; it is not the end of the road. It is simply a medical process with higher probability of conception. And, if you manage your IVF process properly with good pre-IVF preparation then you will soon overcome infertility and move towards a happy family.

Does This Three Letter Acronym, IVF Scare You?

Many couples who decide to wait often find the road getting bumpy when they actually decide to start a family. When natural conception fails repeatedly, they finally rush to a doctor for assistance. Changing lifestyles, stress, consumption of alcohol and tobacco, coupled with medical conditions like polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS), endometriosis, and sexually transmitted infections are adding to the rise in infertility among couples in India. It is estimated that about 10 to 15 percent of married couples in India are grappling with it. The statistics are alarming, and the numbers are on the rise, but the good news is more and more people are coming out and seeking help. And thanks to the advance in science, a universe of possibilities is thrown open for such couples.

Most people dealing with infertility issues are often terrified about the three-letter acronym,

IVF. Often, it is because of the misconceptions and myths that surround these three letters. While it is true that IVF is expensive, it is equally true that it is often a boon to parents who are unable to conceive naturally. Given today’s scenario where many couples treading the infertility path are made to encounter the so-called monster, IVF, it becomes all the more important to understand what IVF actually is?

Is IVF the monster that couples need to dread about?

The answer is No.

To put it in simple words, IVF is one among the many Assisted Reproductive Techniques. Mostly, when a couple visits a doctor with conception issues, the doctor tries to understand the history and offers simpler choices to hopeful parents. When nothing seems to work, doctors finally resort to the Brahmastra, the IVF. However, it is also important to keep in mind that as with everything else in life, IVF doesn’t guarantee 100 percent success. But many couples have tried it and have embarked on the road to parenthood through this.

What Is IVF Process?

IVF when expanded means In Vitro Fertilization, that is, a process wherein the eggs are removed from the ovary, fertilized in the laboratory and then the fertilized embryo is placed into the uterus. Sounds simple, right? But in reality, it is quite a long process, involving several steps aimed at successful pregnancy and delivery. The moment you utter IVF, people around you, tend to scare you with stories and facts that are usually blown out of proportion.

Let us, therefore, take a closer look at the process to educate ourselves and understand what it really entails.

The IVF Process

We are going to provide just the steps here to make you understand quickly and easily what IVF is, in case that is what your doctor has recommended. If you are unsure and unaware, here’s what you must know about it.

The process starts with the stimulation of ovaries by injecting fertility medications to produce multiple eggs.

Eggs are then retrieved through ultrasound whereby a hollow needle is injected into each follicle. The liquid surrounding each egg is sucked out.

The eggs are then fertilized in the lab, by adding sperms to it. Sometimes it is possible that due to severe male infertility the sperms may not be able to penetrate the eggs. In such cases, each egg is picked up (with a pipette) and injected into a single sperm manually. This procedure is called Intra-cytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI). This is not common but is important to know every single step involved in a holistic understanding of the process. In case there are usable spare eggs, they are frozen to be used if required in future.

Once the eggs are fertilized, the embryos are placed in the uterus after three days of culture in the lab. They are placed in the uterine cavity by trans-cervical transfer where a catheter is used to negotiate through the cervix to carefully place the embryo into the uterus. This is a most crucial stage. If not placed in the right location or if uterine contraction causes the embryo to shift from its location, IVF can fail.

The information might be a tad overwhelming for beginners, but it makes sense to understand a process that you are about to undertake. That will prepare you mentally for the road ahead, and you will know what to expect. This also means that when you are discussing this option with your doctor both are on the same page. You know what questions to ask and what’s coming next. That way the fear of the unknown is removed and you step in, more confident and mentally prepared. The most important point is you understand the options available and whether you really need to opt for IVF.

IVF On Your Mind? Connect With Us

If you are planning for an IVF or even confused about it then connect with us, and we will guide you through the pre-IVF preparations thereby helping you manage the treatment better and increase your chances of successful IVF. We are not a clinic or doctor. We simply, counsel your way through, with a helping hand and a personalized plan.

Email us with your brief medical history: info@infertilitydost.com

 

 

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