How long does it take to achieve IVF?
IVF is an assisted reproductive technology, which can help couples who cannot conceive successfully due to physiological reasons to achieve their reproductive aspirations. However, the success of IVF requires a series of steps and time. This article will elaborate on the time cost of IVF from four aspects.
Medical diagnosis and preparation stage
The first step in the IVF process is medical diagnosis and preparation. The duration of this phase will vary depending on individual circumstances. Generally, it takes 3 months to half a year. At this stage, couples will receive a series of physical examinations, examinations and necessary medical tests to determine whether it is suitable for IVF. These examinations and tests include reproductive organ examination, semen analysis, ovarian function assessment and screening for possible genetic diseases. At the same time, doctors will also arrange some auxiliary treatment according to the specific situation, such as oral medicine or hormone injection, to improve the success rate.
Before the end of this phase, the doctor will also provide psychological guidance to couples to help them understand the whole IVF process and provide necessary support. In addition, the couple also needs to sign the documents related to IVF operation provided by the hospital.
Ovulation induction and egg collection stage
After completing the medical diagnosis and preparation phase, the couple will enter the ovulation induction and egg collection phase. This phase usually lasts two to three weeks. During this period, the woman will receive ovulation promoting drugs to promote the development of follicles and the maturation of eggs. Doctors will conduct regular ultrasound and blood tests to determine the best time for egg collection.
Once the egg is mature, the doctor will puncture the ovary with a slender syringe according to the specific operation schedule, take out the egg, and then send it to the IVF laboratory for subsequent operations.
In vitro fertilization and embryo culture stage
In the IVF laboratory, sperm and egg are combined to form an embryo through in vitro fertilization. This process is usually carried out on the same day after egg collection, and takes 4-6 hours. The doctor will select the best sperm and egg to combine and observe the fertilization.
After successful fertilization, the embryo will be cultured in the laboratory. The duration of culture is generally 3 to 5 days, during which the doctor will observe the growth of the embryo irregularly. During the culture process, doctors may use special techniques, such as gene screening or embryo classification, to improve the success rate of pregnancy.
Embryo transfer and pregnancy outcome stage
Embryo transfer is the last step in the IVF process. At the end of the culture period, the doctor will select the most promising embryos to implant into the woman's uterus. This process usually takes only a few minutes, but needs to be carried out through a slender conduit. After that, the woman needs to rest for a period of time and take certain drugs. If the embryo is successfully implanted, pregnancy will occur.
Usually, the woman will have a pregnancy test 10 to 14 days after the embryo transfer. If the result is positive, the IVF process is successful. Thereafter, the woman needs to continue to receive the same prenatal care and examination as the traditional pregnancy.
In conclusion, the time cost of IVF process needs at least half a year, including medical diagnosis and preparation stage, ovulation promotion and egg collection stage, in vitro fertilization and embryo culture stage, embryo transfer and pregnancy outcome stage. The actual time consumption will vary according to individual characteristics and hospital processes. It is important that couples maintain patience and a positive attitude throughout the process to improve their chances of success.
