IVF TREATMENT
The Goal of Traditional IVF Treatment
The primary goal of traditional in vitro fertilization (IVF) is to obtain high-quality eggs, fertilize them with sperm under optimal environmental conditions in an embryology lab, and then transfer the resulting embryos after proper cell division. These embryos are then placed in the uterus under natural conditions.
Stages of Traditional IVF Treatment
- Stimulating Ovulation with Special Medications
- Retrieving Mature Eggs After Medication Use
- Ensuring Fertilization Between Eggs and Sperm in an Embryology Lab
- Transferring Embryos to the Uterus
Steps in the Traditional IVF Process
Ovulation Stimulation
In a normal cycle, a woman produces one egg per month, which is released into the fallopian tube. However, for IVF, more eggs are required to increase the chances of successful pregnancy. Medications are used to stimulate the ovaries effectively. These medications are administered as injections on the abdominal skin.
Treatment Plans
Two protocols are followed for ovarian stimulation:
- Short Protocol: Medications start on the second or third day of the menstrual cycle.
- Long Protocol: On the 21st day of the cycle, a medication (e.g., Lucrin) is administered, followed by stimulation medications after monitoring the eggs. The doctor determines which protocol is suitable for the patient.
Duration and Monitoring
Ovulation stimulation typically lasts 14 days, during which the ovaries’ size is monitored via ultrasound. The eggs are expected to mature to a size of 17mm to 18mm. Additionally, estrogen hormone levels secreted by the ovaries are assessed.
Medication Differences Between Protocols
Patients undergoing the long protocol are given different medications compared to those on the short protocol.
Medication Safety
Long-term side effects of these medications are rare. While earlier studies suggested that ovarian stimulants might increase the risk of cancer, recent research has alleviated these concerns.
Short-term side effects include poor ovarian response in about 15% of women, which might lead to discontinuation of treatment.
Egg Retrieval Stage
Procedure:
- Under ultrasound guidance, a needle is inserted through the vagina to collect eggs. This procedure takes approximately 15 minutes and is performed under mild anesthesia.
- The eggs are aspirated from fluid-filled sacs called follicles using a suction device.
- Recovery:
- After the egg retrieval process, the patient is monitored for at least two hours before being discharged.
Challenges in Egg Retrieval
Not all follicles visible on ultrasound contain eggs, as the eggs are too small to be imaged. Therefore, the number of eggs retrieved may be lower than expected.
Complications
The most significant risk during egg retrieval is bleeding. However, with modern technology, this complication is extremely rare.
Fertilization of Eggs in the Embryology Lab
After retrieval, the eggs are transported to the embryology lab, where they are kept under conditions that mimic the body’s natural environment. These conditions are maintained in a device called an incubator.
Within 2 to 4 hours of incubation, the eggs are fertilized with sperm.
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