What is the IVF step?
In vitro fertilization embryo transfer (IVF-ET), also known as in vitro fertilization embryo transfer (IVF-ET), is a kind of assisted reproductive technology, which aims to help couples who cannot conceive naturally realize their desire to have children. After years of development and improvement, IVF technology has become the choice of many couples. This article will introduce the specific steps of IVF from four aspects.
Preparation phase
The preparation stage of IVF is very important, including improving medical records, conducting a comprehensive physical examination, assessing fertility potential and selecting appropriate treatment plans. First, couples need to provide detailed personal and family medical history to help doctors assess potential genetic disease risks. Secondly, doctors will conduct a comprehensive physical examination, including the assessment of basic reproductive system function, endocrine status, endometrial thickness, etc. Finally, the doctor will evaluate the couple's fertility potential and determine the treatment plan.
At this stage, it is also necessary to select appropriate clinics or hospitals for IVF treatment. For example, the Reproductive Medicine Center of Peking Union Medical College Hospital is a professional institution with rich experience and complete facilities, providing a full range of IVF services.
Ovarian stimulation and collection
Ovarian stimulation is one of the key steps of IVF. By injecting ovulation promoting drugs to women, the human ovary can produce multiple follicles. The doctor will adjust the drug dose according to the ultrasound examination results and blood hormone levels to ensure adequate stimulation of the ovary.
When the follicle reaches the appropriate size, the doctor will arrange the ovarian collection operation. This operation is usually performed under local anesthesia. Under the guidance of transvaginal ultrasound, doctors use slender needles to suck out mature eggs in the ovary. The eggs collected will be sent to the laboratory immediately, ready to combine with sperm.
Fertilization and embryo culture
After eggs are collected, they need to be fertilized in vitro with sperm. Sperm can be obtained by natural ejaculation or semen collection. The professionals in the laboratory will choose the appropriate fertilization method according to the quality of eggs and sperm. Generally, there are two ways: conventional IVF or ICSI, which respectively represent the natural fertilization of eggs and sperm and the fertilization of azoospermia.
After about 24 to 48 hours, the fertilized egg will further develop into an embryo. Embryo culture requires specific media and environmental conditions to simulate the environment in the uterus. In this process, doctors will select the best embryo for transplantation according to the development and quality of the embryo.
Embryo transfer and pregnancy testing
Embryo transfer is the last step in the IVF process. Doctors use long, thin tubes to place embryos in a woman's uterus. This process usually does not require anesthesia and is very simple and fast. Next, the patient needs to rest for a period of time so that the embryo has enough time to implant.
After about two weeks, the patient can have a pregnancy test. This can be achieved by detecting progesterone levels in blood or progesterone in urine. Once the pregnancy is confirmed, the IVF is successful. The patient will receive further prenatal care to ensure the healthy development of the embryo.
Summary
IVF technology is a complex assisted reproductive technology, which needs to go through many steps from the preparation stage to embryo transfer. Different hospitals and clinics may have some differences in details, but the overall process is similar. Most importantly, IVF technology has brought new fertility opportunities to many infertile couples and has become a bridge for them to realize their dreams.
