Every couple sooner or later comes to the conclusion that they want to have a baby. If before women became mothers already in 20-23 years, now this age is greatly increasing. Representatives of the weaker sex decide to have offspring after 30 years. However, at this moment everything does not always work out as we would like. This article will talk about how IVF is done (in detail). You will learn the main steps in this procedure. It is also worth mentioning the indications and limitations of this manipulation.
What it is?
Before figuring out how IVF is done (in stages), it is worth saying a few words about the manipulation itself. In vitro fertilization is a way of conception of a child outside the female body. Subsequently, babies are called "test tube babies." The procedure was first performed several decades ago. She took a lot of effort and expense.
Now in vitro fertilization is no longer something unnatural. It can be done for a fee or on a special quota. For this, a man and a woman must have certain indications.
In what cases do IVF?
There are many indications for this procedure. However, only part of them involves free manipulation. In this case, a quota is allocated to the couple, and all expenses are borne by the state and the insurance company.
Pipe factor
One of the most common causes of in vitro fertilization is tubal infertility. Moreover, a woman may not have the fallopian canals at all. More often this is the result of surgical interventions. Also, obstruction can be attributed to the pipe factor. Before IVF is done, such channels are removed.
Male infertility
Indication for in vitro fertilization will be poor partner sperm. Find out the state of the material during the spermogram. In this case, the main factor will be that sperm reduces its quality in vivo (in the female genital organs).
Endometriosis
In what cases do IVF? One of the indications for manipulation is the growth of the endometrium outside the uterus. This pathology affects mainly women of reproductive age. In this case, the treatment can be long and include surgical methods, as well as hormonal drugs. In the absence of a positive effect, experts advise not to delay, but to resort to the artificial insemination procedure.
Age changes
Many women are interested in how old they do IVF. In fact, some specific framework does not exist. Many couples, on the contrary, turn to assisted reproduction methods only because they cannot conceive a child on their own due to their age (usually after 40 years).
Ovulation problems
Each woman can have two or three anovulatory cycles throughout the year. This is not some kind of pathology. When less than 5-6 ovulations are performed within 12 months, this is already a deviation. Usually this problem is easily eliminated by hormonal drugs. However, if this method is ineffective, doctors are advised to do IVF.
Contraindications to be aware of
Before doing IVF, a woman must be carefully examined. If any contraindications to manipulation are revealed, then you need to turn out from it. These include the following situations:
- therapeutic and psychological pathologies incompatible with pregnancy;
- deformation of the uterine cavity, in which the attachment of embryos is unlikely;
- tumors of the uterus and ovaries, which can grow with hormonal preparation;
- malignant diseases even in the regression stage;
- inflammatory processes in the genitals of a woman or man.
In each situation, the couple is considered individually. If contraindications are determined, then the specialist will inform you about it.
How do IVF?
The fertilization process itself takes a rather long time. Depending on the length of the protocol, the pair may need from one to three months. During the procedure, a woman has to take many drugs. Some of them have unpleasant adverse reactions.
The in vitro fertilization procedure consists of several stages. The doctor will tell you about them at the first visit. Many couples are wondering: how quickly do IVF by compulsory medical insurance? With a free procedure, spouses have to wait a while for quotas to be allocated. Usually this issue is resolved within a few months. When conducting artificial insemination in a private clinic, you can start the protocol within a few weeks after treatment.
Preparation and analysis
Before doing IVF, a woman must be examined. Her partner must also pass certain tests. Standard studies are tests for hepatitis, HIV, syphilis. A man must pass a spermogram. It determines what method will be used for artificial insemination.
Also, the fairer sex should definitely visit some doctors. This is a neurologist, cardiologist, optometrist, therapist. Conversation with a psychologist.
Prescribing: Protocol Selection
Before IVF is done, specialists determine the length of the protocol. It may be short. In this case, stimulation begins immediately after the next menstruation. A woman is prescribed hormonal drugs, which she must take daily according to a strict scheme. Often drugs are in the form of injections. Medicines can be administered in a hospital or on their own. The doctor will tell you all the details of the manipulations.
With a long protocol, before the start of stimulation, a woman is introduced into the so-called menopause. This is often done in the presence of hormonal pathologies, including endometriosis. After a break, which lasts from two weeks to a month, stimulation begins. Further actions will be the same in both protocols.
Follicular growth tracking
So how do IVF? In the process of taking hormonal drugs, a woman must visit an ultrasound diagnostic room. Typically, such a study is scheduled for the 5th, 9th and 12th day. However, if necessary, the doctor may recommend additional days. During an ultrasound, a specialist evaluates the growth of follicles and the condition of the uterus with endometrium. The reproductive organ should be as ready as possible to receive the embryo.
In the last study, the date and time of the puncture are assigned. At this stage, the stimulation ends.
Egg selection
We continue to explore the topic of how IVF is done. For a puncture, a woman must be placed in a hospital. Here she is given a separate place and all the conditions. A puncture can be made through the abdominal wall or by the vaginal method. The second option is chosen more often. It is considered more natural and less traumatic.
A disposable sharp needle pierces the posterior wall of the vagina and, under the control of an ultrasound probe, is brought to the ovary. I must say that the doctor should be extremely careful so that there are no complications. After taking the eggs, the patient should remain under close medical supervision for at least two hours. During this period, the condition of the woman is monitored and intra-abdominal bleeding is excluded.
Fertilization
You already know that before IVF is done, men’s sperm must be examined. The progress of the next stage will depend on the quality of the seminal fluid. At normal rates, normal fertilization is performed. The required amount of sperm is simply combined with the selected eggs.
If there are pathologies of sperm or there are very few of them, then resort to the ICSI method. In this situation, embryologists select the best and highest quality sperm, and then combine them with the eggs.
In vitro cultivation of embryos
After fertilization, each zygote is placed in a separate container. There, conditions are created that are as close as possible to those that are in the body of a woman. It is worth noting that at this stage (immediately after follicle extraction), the woman continues to take hormonal drugs. These are usually progesterone-based drugs. They help maintain the corpus luteum and prepare the uterus for pregnancy as much as possible.
The term for growing embryos may vary. Usually it is from 2 to 5 days. Many blanks die on the third day. Only the strongest survive. Reproductologists are trying to bring embryos to a state where they will have 4 to 8 cells. After that, they proceed to the next stage.
Cell transfer
If you are interested in how IVF is done, a photo of the procedure is presented to your attention. Embryo transfer is carried out in the walls of the hospital. This does not require anesthesia. A woman is sitting on a gynecological chair. A thin silicone tube is inserted into the cervical canal. Through it, the embryos move into the cavity of the genital organ.
In recent years, specialists are trying not to plant more than two embryos. However, according to some indications, this amount may be increased. Note that in this case a special contract is concluded informing the patient of her rights and obligations. If viable embryos remain after transfer, then they can be frozen. You can use them at any time. Such a procedure does not affect the quality and genetic condition.
Expectation
Perhaps the most exciting and painful moment is two weeks after the transfer. After this period, the outcome of the procedure will be determined. All this time, a woman receives drugs of progesterone and chorionic gonadotropin.
You can learn about the result 10-14 days after transplantation. The patient is offered to take a blood test to determine the amount of chorionic gonadotropin. It is this hormone that is released during pregnancy, increasing in quantity every day.
Manipulation result
If the amount of chorionic gonadotropin increases, then this indicates pregnancy. After reaching 1000 IU, an ultrasound scan is necessary. It will show the number of embryos attached. If there are more than two fetal eggs in the uterus, a woman is offered to use a procedure called reduction. During her, the doctor removes the extra embryos. It is worth noting that this manipulation is very dangerous. It can lead to a miscarriage or a dead pregnancy. Therefore, many couples refuse it. However, carrying more than two babies at once is also unreasonable. After all, premature birth can begin or pathologies of the development of babies can be revealed. In any case, the final decision rests with the couple.
If the result was disappointing and pregnancy did not occur, the woman should stop taking all drugs. In this case, the first question that interests patients is formulated as follows: how often do IVF? Most couples want to try to become parents again as soon as possible. However, doctors do not advise rushing. In the process of preparing for artificial insemination, the woman’s body undergoes heavy loads. He needs time to recover. Usually, reproductologists recommend that you refrain from trying to conceive for up to six months. Also, additional tests are prescribed for the couple, which can find out the cause of the failure.
The final stage of the procedure
How IVF is done is described in detail in this article. If the procedure has completed positively, then the woman is offered to register at the place of residence. In some cases, the clinic assumes responsibility for the management of pregnancy until a certain date. This is usually required for multiple pregnancies.
Hormonal support is provided up to 15-20 weeks. After that, all drugs are gradually canceled. At this time, the placenta, which supplies the fetus with everything necessary, has already been formed and is working in full force.
Delivery: what determines the choice of method
You already know how IVF is done. The procedure is quite complicated and requires the patient to comply with all the rules. You can talk about the successful outcome of the manipulation after the birth of the baby. Often, specialists of the same clinic in which artificial insemination was carried out deal with this issue.
In the normal course of pregnancy and the absence of contraindications, a woman can give birth on her own. Natural childbirth is welcomed in a singleton pregnancy. If there are two or more kids, then the doctors insist on a cesarean section. In this case, you will be sure that the children will not receive a birth injury when passing through the birth canal, which often happens with multiple pregnancy. Doctors will help the children on time.
Summary
From the article you learned how the in vitro fertilization procedure goes. If you are interested in additional details, then contact a specialist. The doctor will tell you how and what you need to do to have a positive outcome. In each individual case, separate recommendations are possible.
An important role in this process is played by the mood of the couple. Think good, eat right, spend more time outdoors. Follow all specialist appointments. Have a good result!