Are you having problems getting pregnant? There is new hope for pregnancy success with the in vitro fertilization process.
While the average couple may undergo 2 to 3 attempts with the IVF process before a successful pregnancy occurs, once you get pregnant with the in vitro fertilization process, it is no different from a pregnancy established naturally. And, the IVF pregnancy is not considered high risk.
4 Steps with the IVF process
Here’s what you can expect with the IVF process.
Step 1: Ovulation induction
Before and during the in vitro fertilization process, your fertility specialist will monitor your ovaries and the timing of the egg release. The doctor will make sure that your ovaries are producing eggs, and that your hormone levels are normal, among other procedures.
Most women take fertility medicines or hormones at this time to stimulate the ovaries to produce one or more eggs. Having several eggs available for the in vitro fertilization process will increase the chances that you will get pregnant.
If you cannot produce any eggs, talk to your doctor about donor eggs for the IVF process.
Step 2: Egg retrieval
During this step in the IVF process, pain medication is given to reduce any discomfort. Then a very thin needle is passed through the upper vaginal wall. With the use of vaginal ultrasound, fluid is removed from the follicles under gentle suction.
Immediately after aspiration of the follicle, the oocyte is isolated from the follicular fluid. The egg is placed in a culture dish containing nutrient media and then transferred to the incubator.
Step 3: Semen donation and fertilization
The next step of the IVF process is the fertilization of the egg. A sperm sample is secured and the most active sperm is mixed with the egg in a special chamber. Sometimes the sperm is directly injected into the egg. Then, the sperm and egg are placed in an incubator and monitored to make sure that a healthy embryo develops.
Step 4: Embryo transfer and Implantation
The final step of the IVF process is the embryo transfer. The embryo transfer takes place several days after the in vitro fertilization process.
First, the embryos are examined to select the healthiest ones for transfer. To transfer the embryo(s), a speculum is placed into your vagina and the embryo(s) are transferred via a small plastic tube placed through the cervix into the uterine cavity. After the IVF process is complete, bed rest is often advised for around 24 hours.
From IVF process to a positive pregnancy test
In just a few weeks after undergoing the in vitro fertilization process, you can do a pregnancy test and it may show a positive pregnancy.
The good news about the in vitro fertilization process is that once you get pregnant, the pregnancy is no different from a natural pregnancy and is not considered high risk.
Sources: Dugdale D, Storck, S., Zieve, D. In vitro fertilization (IVF). National Institutes of Health/U.S. National Library of Medicine. American Pregnancy Association. In Vitro Fertilization: IVF. 2007 American Society for Reproductive Medicine. PATIENT FACT SHEET Risks of In Vitro Fertilization (IVF) Sunderam S, Chang, J., Flowers, L., Kulkarni, A., Sentelle, G., Jeng, G., Macaluso, M. CDC. Assisted Reproductive Technology Surveillance --- United States, 2006. June 12, 2009 [updated June 12, 2009; cited 58(SS05)]; 1-25].
