Welcome to our explanation of In Vitro Fertilization, commonly known as IVF. IVF is a revolutionary assisted reproductive technology that helps couples who have difficulty conceiving naturally. The process involves combining eggs and sperm outside the human body in a laboratory setting, allowing fertilization to occur in a controlled environment. Once embryos are formed, they are carefully transferred back to the woman's uterus where they can implant and develop into a pregnancy.
The IVF process begins with a comprehensive initial assessment where doctors evaluate both partners through medical history reviews, physical examinations, and fertility tests. This helps determine the best treatment approach. Next comes ovarian stimulation, where the woman receives daily hormone injections to stimulate her ovaries to produce multiple mature eggs instead of the usual single egg per cycle. This process is carefully monitored through blood tests and ultrasounds to track follicle development and hormone levels.
The next crucial steps involve retrieving both eggs and sperm. For egg retrieval, the woman undergoes a minor surgical procedure under light sedation. Using ultrasound guidance, a thin needle is inserted through the vaginal wall to extract mature eggs from the ovarian follicles. This typically takes about 20 to 30 minutes. On the same day, the male partner provides a fresh sperm sample, which is then processed in the laboratory to select the healthiest and most motile sperm for fertilization.
Now comes the critical fertilization phase. In the laboratory, eggs and sperm are carefully combined in a petri dish containing a special culture medium. The sperm naturally penetrate the eggs, and fertilization typically occurs within 12 to 18 hours. The fertilized eggs, now called embryos, are monitored closely as they begin to divide. On day one, we see the formation of the zygote. By day two, the embryo has divided into 2 to 4 cells. By day three, it contains 6 to 8 cells, and by day five, it develops into a blastocyst with over 100 cells.
The final steps complete the IVF process. First, the best quality embryo is selected for transfer. Using a thin, flexible catheter, the embryo is gently placed into the woman's uterus through the cervix. This is usually a painless procedure that takes just a few minutes. After transfer, the woman receives luteal phase support with hormone medications to help the embryo implant successfully. The most anticipated moment comes about two weeks later with a blood pregnancy test to determine if the IVF cycle was successful. If positive, regular monitoring continues to ensure a healthy pregnancy develops.