Many couples who face infertility issues often opt for treatments that can give them the success rate they were hoping for. One of these treatments includes IVF, a procedure that can help in the fertilization process of the egg for successful conception. Although IVF may seem to be a simple treatment, there are many things that are included in the process. If you’re someone who is thinking of choosing IVF treatment or is about to start their IVF journey, this blog will help you understand the process in detail so you know what to be prepared for before and during the treatment.
What is IVF?
IVF (In Vitro Fertilization) is one of the fertility treatments that uses ART (Assisted Reproductive Technology), which aims at developing healthy embryos outside of the womb, in a laboratory setting. These embryos are finally transferred into the uterus of the female partner for the birth of a baby after several developmental stages inside the womb. The embryo can be created either with the couple’s sperm and eggs or the eggs and sperm from donors, depending on the case.
Process of IVF
The IVF process has many stages, starting with ovarian stimulation. Here, the hormone medication is administered to stimulate the ovaries, which results in multiple egg production. Once these eggs grow into a certain size, they are surgically retrieved and stored.
The next step involves collecting the sperm sample and ferlizing it with the eggs in a laboratory setting. The embryos (fertilized eggs) are developed in controlled environments, and then the best ones are selected for transferring into the uterus (uterine cavity) of the female partner.
The next step involves collecting the sperm sample and ferlizing it with the eggs in a laboratory setting. The embryos (fertilized eggs) are developed in controlled environments, and then the best ones are selected for transferring into the uterus (uterine cavity) of the female partner.
Why IVF Works?
- The ovarian stimulation allows for many eggs to be produced, than compared to just one egg in a natural cycle.
- Good quality eggs and sperm are selected for fertilization and monitored in a controlled environment to increase the chances of fertilization.
- Among the many embryos that are formed, only the healthy and best ones are transferred into the woman’s uterus.
- To support the early stages of pregnancy, hormonal medication is used to prepare the uterus lining for embryo implantation.
What Should You Know Before Starting Your IVF Journey?
Time-Consuming Process
IVF can be a long journey, from ovarian stimulation to embryo transfer and pregnancy monitoring. Overall, the process may take 4 to 6 weeks, and can vary with each case. So even if the first cycle of IVF fails, there are still chances of a successful pregnancy in multiple cycles.
Lifestyle Changes
It is advised to follow a healthy lifestyle. Avoid smoking and the consumption of alcohol. Maintain a healthy, balanced diet and get adequate sleep.
Important to Select the right IVF Centre or Clinic
Selecting the right IVF clinic or centre can also impact the success of your IVF treatment. Always choose a well-known and credible IVF hospital with a previous high success rate in various infertility cases.
Emotional and Psychological Preparation
Apart from taking the right medications, maintaining your diet, and avoiding too much exercise, you should also be emotionally and psychologically prepared to begin the IVF journey.
Possible Side Effects
Due to the hormonal shots given for ovarian stimulation, the female partner’s emotions can also be sensitive, which is completely normal. Isolation, anxiety, depression, and stress are the possible side effects to look out for and carefully manage them throughout the process.
Doctor’s Recommendation
Always follow the doctor’s recommendation before and during your IVF journey. This includes personalized suggestions based on your infertility issues. It can be regarding alcohol consumption, exercising to lose weight, having sex, travelling, vaccination, etc.
Key Takeaways
- Every individual’s IVF journey can vary based on the specific infertility issue, and can take a long time depending on some factors.
- It is important to make some lifestyle changes as per your doctor’s recommendation to increase the chances of success.
- The number of eggs retrieved after the ovarian stimulation does not equal the number of embryos, as many eggs may not develop fully or might not be healthy.
- Selecting a well-known IVF centre for the process can help you get the best medical support throughout the journey.
- Being emotionally prepared is an important part of starting your IVF journey.
- IVF can take multiple cycles, so being patient and following your doctor’s advice is the best thing you can do.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Does IVF have a higher success rate?
Yes. While the IVF procedure has a higher success rate, there are certain factors like the quality of the sperm & egg, the age of the female partner, genetic conditions, etc., which can affect this rate.
2. What do I need to consider before the IVF journey?
Before your IVF journey, it is very important that you clearly understand the various stages in the process, lifestyle changes, emotional and psychological preparation, etc., for better results.
3. Are there any diet restrictions before starting IVF?
Yes. A healthy, balanced diet is recommended to increase the chances of success for the IVF procedure, including limiting alcohol, caffeine, processed foods, and sugar.
