How long does the IVF process take?
Test tube baby is a method to help infertile couples achieve fertility through artificial pregnancy technology. The whole process usually includes disease diagnosis, preparation stage, ovulation induction, oocyte retrieval and fertilization, embryo culture and selection, embryo implantation, pregnancy monitoring and other steps. The time required for each step and the specific content of each phase will be described in detail below.
1、 Disease diagnosis
In the process of IVF, comprehensive disease diagnosis is the first step. Both spouses need to undergo relevant physical examination and examination to determine whether there is any fertility problem. This stage usually takes several days to several weeks, depending on the arrangement of the hospital and the complexity of the inspection items.
The purpose of disease diagnosis is to eliminate various possible fertility disorders and determine whether it is suitable for IVF. Common diagnostic items include hysterosalpingography, semen analysis, endocrine hormone detection, etc. Through these examinations, doctors can determine whether couples have infertility and provide reference for the development of subsequent treatment plans.
If the couple has serious fertility problems, such as fallopian tube obstruction or poor male sperm quality, further inspection and treatment may be required to improve the success rate.
2、 Preparation phase
The preparation stage mainly includes the understanding of the test tube baby program and the psychological preparation of the couple. The doctor will give a detailed explanation to the couple, including the specific surgical procedures, possible risks, and the probability of success, to help them make decisions.
In terms of psychological preparation, the process of IVF may cause some psychological pressure on both sides of the couple. Therefore, psychological guidance and support are very important to help couples better cope with the whole process.
Usually, the preparation phase takes several weeks, and the specific length varies from person to person. During this period, doctors will make personalized treatment plans for couples and make preparations such as drug conditioning to ensure the smooth progress of the follow-up process.
3、 Ovulation induction, oocyte retrieval and fertilization
Ovulation induction is one of the key steps in IVF process. At this stage, female patients usually need to inject ovulation promoting drugs to stimulate ovarian development and ovulation, and make the ovary develop multiple follicles at the same time.
The whole process of ovulation induction usually lasts about 10 days, and the specific time varies from individual to individual. During this period, doctors will regularly monitor the growth of follicles through ultrasound and measure hormone levels to determine the best time for ovulation.
When the follicle develops to the appropriate size, the doctor will arrange an egg retrieval operation. This operation is usually performed in a painless environment and lasts about 30 minutes to 1 hour. After the operation, the doctor will collect eggs from the ovary and send them to the laboratory for fertilization preparation.
Fertilization usually includes classical IVF and embryo culture techniques. In classical IVF, the doctor places the obtained eggs and sperm in a culture dish for natural fertilization. In embryo culture technology, doctors will select appropriate sperm to inject into the egg to promote fertilization.
4、 Embryo culture and selection, embryo implantation and pregnancy monitoring
Embryo culture is an important stage in the IVF process. In the laboratory, the fertilized egg will be placed in a Petri dish for culture to promote embryonic development. The incubation time is generally 2-5 days. Doctors will regularly check the development of embryos and select the best embryos for implantation.
Embryo implantation usually takes place 3-5 days after fertilization. The doctor will directly implant the embryo into the mother's uterus through hysteroscopy or guide wire in order to achieve the goal of successful pregnancy.
After implantation, the doctor will advise the patient to take a proper rest, and give relevant suggestions and precautions according to individual conditions. In the next few weeks, the doctor will conduct regular pregnancy monitoring to determine whether the pregnancy is successful.
summary
The whole IVF process usually takes several months. The specific time varies with individual differences, hospital arrangements and treatment options. From disease diagnosis to final pregnancy monitoring, professional doctors and teams are required to conduct fine operation and monitoring at each stage and step. Only by reasonably arranging the time required for each step and operating according to the regulations, can the success rate of IVF be improved.
