In vitro fertilization: A complete guide to IVF treatment process from start to finish?"

The IVF treatment process requires numerous meetings with specialists, who prepare the couple for the technique. The couple should be informed about complex steps such as injecting hormonal drugs, the risks and side effects, as well as the wait times required. Treatments since the past few years have become affordable.

1. Stimulation of the ovaries

The first step is to give the woman hormone therapy, usually a GnRH (Gonadotropin Releasing Hormone) agonist to put the ovaries to rest.

The treatment then aims to increase the number of follicles produced by the ovaries and control the time of ovulation. The woman must receive injections of gonadotropins with FSH or LH activity in order to stimulate the follicles to bring them to maturity and allow them to produce several oocytes.  

When the follicles have grown enough and the hormone levels are adequate, ovulation is triggered by an injection of the hormone HCG (Human Chorionic Gonadotropin), Pelvic ultrasound and blood tests are performed at each stage to assess the growth of follicles. This is the first step of IVF process from start to finish.

No more follicles, no more eggs...

A woman's ovaries usually produce and release only one mature egg per cycle. While this is sufficient for normal conception, for successful IVF, ideally more mature eggs should be obtained. It is therefore necessary to stimulate the patient's ovarian activity more strongly than usual. The drugs administered during IVF treatment process cause the development of several ovarian follicles, thereby increasing the possible number of eggs, therefore the chances of obtaining an implantable embryo.

2. Collection of mature oocytes

After 32 to 36 hours of hormonal stimulation, the mature oocytes are collected using a small tube and a needle which is introduced into the vagina. This intervention is performed under local or general anesthesia with ultrasound control because it can be very painful. The oocytes are then selected in the laboratory.

The semen is taken a few hours before (or thawed the same day), and the sperm are separated from the seminal fluid and stored at 37 ° C.

3. Fertilization

A few hours after their harvest, the sperm and the oocytes are brought into contact in a culture liquid for several hours at body temperature. The mobile sperm come spontaneously, without outside help, into contact with the oocyte. But a single sperm will fertilize it. In general, on average, 50% of oocytes are fertilized. This is the 3rd step of IVF process start to finish.

4. Embryo transfer

From 2 to 5 days after fertilization, one or two embryos are transferred to the woman's uterus. Embryo transfer is a simple, painless procedure using a thin, flexible catheter inserted vaginally into the uterus. The embryo is placed inside the uterus and develops there until it is implanted.

After this step, the woman can usually resume her normal activities.

One or more embryos (called supernumeraries) can also be preserved by freezing for later tests.

Thereafter, the doctor can give hormonal medical treatment, and of course prescriptions for pregnancy tests to observe whether IVF has been effective.

Several cycles of treatment are sometimes necessary before the pregnancy is successful. This is the entire IVF process from start to finish.

To know the IVF process start to finish and IVF treatment process, visit the best fertility clinic in India and get the right treatment for all your infertility problems.