What is IVF?
IVF (also known as assisted reproductive technology) is a medical technology that helps couples who cannot conceive naturally achieve their reproductive aspirations. The main processes of IVF technology include egg retrieval, sperm processing and embryo transfer. Under normal circumstances, after the endocrine regulation of women, doctors will extract eggs through surgery during the female ovulation period. Men need to provide sperm samples. Then, doctors combine sperm and eggs in the laboratory to produce an embryo. Finally, the embryo will be transplanted into the female uterus, allowing it to continue to develop and eventually achieve pregnancy.
The development of IVF technology has enabled many infertile patients to fulfill their dream of becoming parents. However, the process of IVF is not achieved overnight, which requires a series of steps and a certain amount of time.
Steps of IVF
The process of IVF is generally divided into the following steps.
Stage I: ovarian stimulation
In the process of IVF, women need to receive ovarian stimulation to increase egg production. This process usually lasts 10 to 12 days. The doctor will monitor the development of the follicle to ensure that the egg is mature, and then take the egg at the right time.
Stage II: egg retrieval and sperm treatment
Fetching eggs is one of the important links of IVF technology. Under the guidance of the gynecologist, the eggs were extracted through ultrasound guided surgery. At the same time, men need to provide sperm samples for sperm treatment. Eggs and sperm combine in the laboratory to form new embryos.
Stage 3: Embryo culture
According to the quality of eggs taken and fertilization, doctors will choose the healthiest embryo for culture. The embryo is usually cultured in the laboratory for 2 to 6 days, and the doctor will carefully observe the development of the embryo. During culture, doctors can conduct genetic screening and cryopreservation of embryos for subsequent transplantation.
Stage 4: embryo transfer
Embryo transfer is the last step of IVF. Doctors transplant healthy embryos into a woman's uterus, allowing them to embed and continue to develop. After that, the patient needs to wait a few weeks for a pregnancy test to see whether the pregnancy is successful.
How long does IVF take?
The duration of IVF varies from individual to individual, and it usually takes 3 to 6 months. The time required for each step is detailed below:
Ovarian stimulation: 10 to 12 days
At this stage, women need to inject a growth hormone every day to promote the development of eggs. Doctors also conduct regular ultrasound examinations to monitor the size and number of follicles. The duration of this process is relatively short.
Egg taking and sperm processing: several hours
The egg retrieval operation is usually carried out when the follicle develops to the appropriate size, and the operation usually lasts about 30 minutes. The time for men to provide sperm samples is relatively short, depending on their personal circumstances and needs.
Embryo culture: 2 to 6 days
The time of embryo culture depends on the development of the embryo, and usually lasts for 2 to 6 days. Doctors will carefully observe the development status of embryos and select the most suitable embryos for transplantation.
Embryo transfer: several minutes
Embryo transfer is a short process that usually takes only a few minutes. Doctors will use a thin tube to transfer the embryo into the woman's uterus. This process usually does not cause too much discomfort.
To sum up, the whole process of IVF generally takes 3 to 6 months. Each step has different time requirements, but the whole process is full of hope and expectation.
