Facts about iVF that infertile couple must understand

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Infertility is one of the most unpleasant truths of modern times. Many infertile couples take IVF up as the last option in their course of treatment but the truth is that it is one of the best treatments for infertility and should be considered earlier. There are plenty of IVF centres which offer IVF treatment. Approach the nearest and the best IVF doctor to ensure that infertility doesn’t come in the way of your becoming a parent.

IVF Process
IVF is a procedure which involves many processes-

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Things you should know about the IVF

Infertility is not uncommon

Infertility is a very common phenomenon, affecting around 1 in 6 couples. The causes of infertility are generally related to the woman 40% of the time and the man 40% of the time, with 20% resulting from a combination of both. Around 5% of infertile couples turn to IVF to help them conceive. There are also fertile people who pursue IVF for other reasons, e.g. same-sex couples, single women, those carrying a genetic disease and those creating a savior sibling. This means that 1 in 50 babies are now born using IVF.

Age matters

When it comes to fertility treatment, the younger age it is performed the better in terms of success rates. In women, the decline in fertility begins at around 35 and accelerates through the 30s and 40s. This means that by the early 40s it is much more difficult to conceive and by 45 there is a much-reduced chance of treatment succeeding. This is due to the decline in both the number and quality of eggs in the ovaries over time. Although men’s fertility remains more stable, it also declines over time, with declining testosterone levels meaning that less sperm are produced. Similarly to women, men’s sperm acquires mutations over time meaning that sperm gradually declines in both quality and quantity. All is not lost for older patients, but if you are considering starting fertility treatment, it is better to do so sooner rather than later.

You may need more than one cycle of treatment

The success rates of IVF are around 35% on average, meaning that most patients will have to undergo a number of treatments before achieving a successful pregnancy. As new techniques are developed and fine-tuned, success rates are constantly improving, but usually only by small amounts. If you are starting fertility treatment, it is very important to think that you are starting a course of treatment, not just individual treatment cycles. This allows you to mentally prepare for the chance that you may need multiple treatments. You should ask your doctor to give you an individual estimation of success both in a single cycle and over a course of treatment. It should be noted that a recent study showed that the chance of success increases with an increased number of IVF cycles, with 65% having conceived after 6 cycles of treatment.

Frozen is just as good as fresh

Recent studies have suggested that frozen eggs and embryos are just as viable as fresh ones. If possible, it is better to freeze embryos than eggs as they are more stable and more likely to survive thawing. It has been suggested that a woman freezing 12 eggs under the age of 35 has a 50% chance of having a baby with these eggs through fertility treatment.

There are lots of additional techniques available

Many individuals/couples undergoing IVF wish to increase their chances of success by any means possible. There are a number of additional techniques which may improve success such as Embryoscope, PGD and PGS.

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1. It‘s Typically Not the First Course of Action
You might think that if you’re having trouble getting pregnant the logical next step is IVF, when in fact there are a bunch of options in between. “The decision as to whether or not IVF is right for you is based on a thorough diagnostic workup to determine if it’s the best (or only) option for a couple to achieve pregnancy,” says Alfred Rodriguez, M.D., medical director of advanced reproductive technology at Texas Health Presbyterian Hospital Plano.

Your doctor will start by collecting medical and sexual history from both you and your S.O., with initial tests that usually include a semen analysis, a tubal evaluation, and ovarian reserve testing. Then, based on what’s contributing to your infertility, how long it’s been going on, and your age, your doc will counsel you about your options—which can also include oral and injectable fertility meds, surgery, intrauterine insemination (where the sperm is placed directly in your uterus), or IVF. In many cases, these treatments are combined.

2. The Process Is a Team Effort
If the patient, doctor, and team do a good job of preparing for the IVF cycle, the treatment process should be smooth and painless. “The process involves taking daily injections (over a period of nine to 11 days) to help your body produce multiple eggs, along with periodically monitoring your progress by ultrasound and estrogen levels,” says Rodriguez. The mature eggs are then retrieved from your ovaries, fertilized by sperm in a lab, and implanted in your uterus. One cycle of IVF takes roughly two weeks to complete. “Patients are given one-on-one injection instructions prior to starting medications, as well as printed handouts,” says Rodriguez. “Some medications are injected in the lower abdomen or upper thigh, while others are intra-muscular and are given in the buttocks.” Depending on the medication, your S.O. or bestie may need to be recruited to help you out, as the injections are time-sensitive and some can be difficult to inject on your own.

3. Your Lifestyle Affects Pregnancy Outcomes
Everything from your BMI to how often you exercise to your eating habits can impact the odds of you getting knocked up. “Eating a diet rich in protein and vegetables will improve embryo quality,” says Wendy Chang, M.D., scientific director of the Southern California Reproductive Center. “Additionally, people who drink more alcohol and sleep less have a lower pregnancy rate. Men should also eat a protein-rich diet, limit their alcohol intake, and get plenty of sleep for best pregnancy outcomes.” Talk to your doc before trying to get pregnant so they can help you set up shop for a healthy baby.

4. Side Effects Are Rare
“All hormone therapy involves some risk, the most serious being the development of blood clots,” says Rodriguez. “However, this is a very rare occurrence.” (Think: less than one percent.) Side effects typically aren’t serious and can range from no side effects at all to mild headaches, breast tenderness, pelvic cramps, and/or lower backaches.

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