IVF – IN - VITRO
FERTILIZATION

IVF is a reproductive technology involving stimulating multiple follicles, retrieving those eggs, and fertilizing with sperms in the laboratory, followed by embryo transfer to the uterus.

You may go through the IVF process if you have any of the following issues.

• Tubal factor infertility, like blocked fallopian tubes or pelvic adhesions, when the tubal surgery is technically unsuccessful or an alternative to surgery in patients of previous tubal sterilization.
• Endometriosis –Moderate to severe
• Male factor Infertility-When multiple IUI cycles fail, or physical parameters are markedly deranged, then IVF is the next step.
• Ovarian Failure or Diminished Ovarian Reserve.
• Unexplained infertility

The probability for success of IVF depends on

• Maternal age
• Ovarian reserve
• Male factor
• Past reproductive history

One cycle of IVF usually takes about 2 to 3 weeks. The number of visits to the clinic during this period is 4 to 5 only.

The injections given during stimulation are not very painful as they are to be taken subcutaneously and with a very fine syringe. The process of oocyte retrieval or taking out follicular fluid is also done under I/V sedation so that you do not experience any pain during the procedure. There may be mild discomfort after the pickup that also only in very few patients.

Once the pregnancy test is positive, the IVF procedure is in no way different from natural conception other than increased hormonal support during the first few weeks.

The progress of pregnancy, activity level, diet, and precaution are all the same.

The first step is to find out the cause of the failed cycle. Was it less or poor quality oocyte, was there a problem in sperms, what was the grading of embryos, how was the endometrial lining, and finally, if the endometrial lining was everything was fine, then it could have been Implantation Failure. If any of the above factors can be modified, it is done by changing the protocol. If there was any problem in eggs or sperms that could not be corrected, we moved to donor eggs or donor sperms program. We keep a minimum gap of two months between two cycles.