The Basics Of In Vitro Fertilization (IVF)
In vitro fertilization (IVF) is part of the assisted reproductive technology family. This procedure helps people conceive children. With this technology, doctors extract an egg from an egg donor and combine the egg with sperm cells in a laboratory. Once fertilized, the egg becomes an embryo that gets implanted into a uterus to grow into a fetus. The IVF process takes several weeks to complete, and patients may undergo multiple rounds before a successful pregnancy.
What happens during the menstruation cycle?
During the menstruation cycle, the ovaries release a mature egg that travels through the fallopian tubes to the uterus to get fertilized by sperm. If fertilization does not occur, the body releases the egg and sheds the uterine lining which is called a period. The IVF process stimulates egg growth through medication to produce viable eggs for fertilization.
Stimulating the ovaries
The IVF cycle requires the egg donor to take fertility drugs that resemble hormones released during the menstruation cycle. These medications will stimulate egg production and growth. Fertility medications may contain follicle-stimulating hormone, luteinizing hormone, and human chorionic gonadotropin. In addition to preparing eggs, the fertility medications will also thicken the uterine lining to prepare the body for implantation.
The egg retrieval process
Before retrieving eggs, doctors perform a vaginal ultrasound to observe the ovaries. The ovaries contain follicles that house the eggs. A specialist may perform a blood test to evaluate estradiol hormone levels. Once the eggs are ready to be retrieved, the doctors use a needle attached to an ultrasound to extract the follicles. The follicles are sent to a lab to get fertilized by sperm and grown into embryos.
The embryo transfer
The embryo transfer procedure occurs a few days after the egg retrieval. Doctors use a catheter to insert embryos into the uterus. If everything works out, the embryo will attach to the uterine lining, and the person becomes pregnant. Usually, the procedure is less than 30 minutes and the patient experiences light cramping.
Tips to boost pregnancy
The egg donor must wait now that the embryo is implanted into the uterus. Typically, patients take a pregnancy test a week or two after the implantation procedure. Doctors will confirm the pregnancy by doing an ultrasound. In the meantime, the patient can do things to boost the chance of pregnancy. Here are some tips.
1. Eat a healthy, well-balanced diet
A healthy diet will deliver proper nutrients to the embryo and nourish the body to create a thriving environment for embryo growth. Patients should eat lots of whole fruits and vegetables, avoid alcohol, and stop eating fish with heavy metal content.
2. Avoid exercise
The time after an embryo transfer is delicate and any major trauma or disruptions to the body can stop the implantation process. People should avoid strenuous activity and heavy lifting in the weeks following the embryo transfer.
3. Refrain from sex and rest instead
Doctors will advise IVF patients to refrain from having sex and get plenty of rest to help rehabilitate the body and allow the embryo to attach to the uterus. Vaginal sex may trigger uterine contractions that can lead to a failed implantation.
Talk to a specialist
Patients interested in learning more about the IVF process and embryo transfer should speak to a fertility specialist. Patients should also consult a doctor to discuss fertility issues.
