What kind of technology is IVF?
IVF technology is a kind of assisted reproductive technology. It can help couples who cannot conceive naturally realize their reproductive dreams by fertilizing eggs and sperm in the laboratory, cultivating embryos, and then transferring healthy embryos back to their mothers. The following will elaborate on IVF technology from aspects of embryo acquisition, in vitro fertilization and embryo transfer.
Embryo acquisition
Embryo acquisition is one of the key steps in IVF technology. Normally, doctors will collect mature eggs from women's bodies, which is usually through the use of ovulation promoters to stimulate ovarian development, and monitor the size of follicles and the number of eggs in follicles. Once the follicle is mature, the doctor will use a slender needle to extract the egg from the ovarian cyst. This process is often carried out under general anesthesia to ensure the best comfort of the patient.
The eggs were observed and evaluated in the laboratory. According to the quality and maturity of the eggs, the doctor will decide whether to conduct in vitro fertilization or select single or multiple eggs for embryo transfer. If the eggs are of good quality and develop normally, they will be fertilized and cultured to the embryonic stage.
In vitro fertilization
In vitro fertilization is one of the core steps of IVF technology. Through in vitro fertilization, doctors combine sperm and eggs in culture dishes to promote fertilization and embryo formation.
During in vitro fertilization, eggs are usually cultured with millions of sperm in a petri dish to improve the probability of fertilization. If the quantity and quality of sperm are normal, fertilization will occur in the next few hours or days, and eventually the embryo will be formed.
Once the fertilization is successful, the doctor will start to observe the development of the embryo and select the embryo most likely to develop healthily for transplantation.
embryo transfer
Embryo transfer is the last and most critical step of IVF technology. Embryo transfer is the process of implanting a cultured embryo into a woman's uterus so that it can develop normally into a baby.
Embryo transfer is usually a simple process that can be completed in a doctor's office or laboratory. Doctors will use a slender tube to carefully place the embryo in the uterus. At this stage, the doctor may advise the patient to rest for a period of time to improve the probability of the embryo successfully embedded in the uterine wall.
After a few days or weeks, the doctor will ask the patient to have a blood test to determine whether the pregnancy was successful. If the pregnancy is successful, the patient will continue to receive further prenatal examination and monitoring.
summary
IVF technology is a technology that helps couples who cannot conceive naturally realize their reproductive dreams by fertilizing eggs and sperm in the laboratory and then transferring embryos back to the mother. Among them, embryo acquisition, in vitro fertilization and embryo transfer are crucial steps in IVF technology. Through the collection, fertilization and culture of eggs and sperm, doctors can select high-quality and normal developing embryos for transplantation. Although IVF technology is a blessing for couples who cannot conceive naturally, it still needs the joint efforts and careful operation of patients and doctors to ensure the success rate.
