Infertility - the inability to conceive a child within 12 months, subject to regular sexual activity and the absence of contraception between both spouses. There are many ways to treat infertility, both female and male, depending on the cause. One of the newest methods has become an IVF procedure. This type of infertility treatment has gained its popularity relatively recently, approximately in the 80s of the 20th century.
At its core, IVF is the conception of the fetus outside the uterus, and then the planting of several embryos in its cavity for further development. IVF procedure is performed according to strict indications and according to a specific plan. The procedure should begin with a full examination of the couple and assessment of the expected result of IVF. In other words, the doctor should always make sure that the couple has at least the slightest chance of conception using the IVF method.
There are a number of contraindications for performing embryo replanting:
- acute inflammatory processes of any localization;
- tumor processes in the pelvic area, even a benign structure;
- lack of ability to bear a healthy child;
- mental disorders by women;
- congenital or acquired deformations of the uterine cavity, which complicate the introduction and implantation of the embryo.
It should be noted that some of the contraindications are temporary, i.e. after eliminating the disease and normalizing the condition of the woman, the procedure is allowed to be carried out.
IVF procedure consists of the following steps:
- Full examination of spouses. At this stage, the couple is checked for the presence of sexually transmitted infections, blood is taken for HIV, syphilis. Also during this period, a woman passes tests to check the hormonal status of the body, consults with a gynecologist and undergoes the necessary gynecological studies (colposcopy, culture on the bacterial flora of the vagina).
- Superovulation or ovulation induction. At this stage, a woman is prescribed a number of drugs that stimulate folliculogenesis in the ovaries, as a result of which several follicles appear, which are taken for fertilization. Consequently, at the same stage the material is taken from a woman and a man for fertilization. Some women do not need to stimulate the ovaries, so they have material sampling without this procedure.
- Cultivation of the embryo to the point where it can be implanted in the uterine cavity, and at the same time is the most viable.
- Transplanting the finished embryo into the uterine cavity and further monitoring the woman.
- The last stage depends directly on the outcome of the procedure. The fact is that the IVF procedure does not always end with pregnancy and childbirth. Doctors often observe the repeated death of embryos. Thus, the outcome of IVF may be a long-awaited pregnancy or embryo death.
In any clinic that conducts IVF, women are warned of possible unusual reactions after the procedure. One of the most common concomitant symptoms of fertilization is discharge after IVF. Most often, they have a plentiful mucous character, and this suggests that pregnancy is most likely to have occurred. However, the discharge may become bloody in nature - this is an unfavorable symptom.
The reasons for the failed IVF can be hidden both in the woman’s body and be the result of medical errors. For example, an improperly grown embryo, endometrial pathology, genetic pathology and Rh incompatibility. In any case, one should not despair after the first unsuccessful procedure. As a rule, IVF gives its positive results only 3-4 times, however, if after 5 procedures the pregnancy has not occurred, then you need to try another way to treat infertility.