Having trouble getting pregnant? In vitro fertilization can help.
in vitro fertilization is a program of assisted reproductive technologies designed to help infertile couples. Gametes are collected from both partners. Artificial fertilization is then performed in a test tube. After 3–5 days, the embryos are implanted into the uterine cavity.
In what cases is in vitro fertilization prescribed?
If attempts to conceive have been unsuccessful for a year, the couple should visit a clinic for an evaluation. The diagnosis of “infertility” is made as a complication of an underlying medical condition. If the underlying condition has been diagnosed but diagnostic and therapeutic measures prove ineffective, it is necessary to resort to more complex assisted reproductive technologies that offer a favorable prognosis. There are absolute and relative indications for in vitro fertilization. An absolute indication is male factor infertility with the absence of sperm in the semen. In such cases, a minor urological procedure is performed to collect sperm. After the sperm is evaluated, fertilization takes place.
the second absolute indication is female infertility caused by blocked fallopian tubes, meaning there is no pathway for a fertilized egg to reach the uterine cavity. Certain genetic disorders that impair the formation of gametes or result in malformed reproductive organs also constitute absolute indications. In vitro fertilization is also recommended when a woman has no eggs available during the postoperative period or following other procedures. In such cases, the method of using a donor egg is employed. However, the woman carries the child to term on her own. A sister or other female relative may be selected as a donor. If none are available, the clinic provides a donor egg.
How does preparation for in vitro fertilization take place?
A couple planning to undergo infertility treatment using conventional methods first receives a primary diagnosis. Then, based on this diagnosis, step-by-step treatment is conducted using a process of eliminating potential causes. For proper treatment, it is important to identify the cause of the inability to conceive, such as a hormonal imbalance or incompatibility between partners.
Pregnancy occurs in any case, since the embryos are created in a test tube. It is also necessary to prepare the woman for embryo development. Special stimulation of the eggs is performed. If a woman normally produces one egg, up to 20 eggs are stimulated per cycle. These 20 eggs are fertilized, as a larger number of embryos improves the selection process. Some couples can even choose the baby’s gender. To maximize the likelihood of a successful pregnancy, two embryos are always transferred. In some cases, transferring three or even four embryos is considered.
How successful is this system?
Statistical data is available for each type of condition. Male factor infertility (a low percentage of healthy sperm), according to the latest data, is not treatable. If problems are identified in the semen analysis, in vitro fertilization should be initiated immediately. In such cases, this procedure proves to be highly effective. There is also a high chance of pregnancy in cases where a woman has been diagnosed with tubal infertility or there is a lack of compatibility between partners.
How long must one wait before attempting another IVF cycle in the event of a miscarriage?
According to World Health Organization guidelines, a woman is ready for a second round of in vitro fertilization after 3 months. However, this depends on the condition of the uterus following a miscarriage. Each case is considered individually. However, there is a minimum waiting period of 3 months. For a repeat IVF cycle, the couple does not need to undergo ovarian stimulation or sperm collection. The clinic has other embryos from this couple in cryopreservation. The embryos are stored at the clinic for up to 5 years.
