How is IVF carried out?
IVF is a kind of assisted reproductive technology, which can realize pregnancy and delivery by fertilizing sperm and eggs in vitro and transplanting the fertilized eggs into the mother's body. In recent years, IVF technology has developed rapidly and become an effective way for many infertile couples to realize their reproductive dreams. The following will introduce the whole process of IVF in detail from four aspects: selecting suitable patients, promoting ovulation and collecting eggs, in vitro fertilization and embryo culture, embryo transfer and pregnancy monitoring.
1. Select appropriate patients
Test tube baby technology is applicable to many infertile patients, including oviduct factors, male factors, uterine factors, ovarian factors, etc. When selecting patients, doctors will conduct detailed physical examination and medical history investigation, and carry out relevant laboratory tests to determine whether it is suitable for IVF. At the same time, factors such as the patient's age, the quality and quantity of eggs, and the condition of endometrium will also affect the doctor's decision.
After determining that the patient is suitable for IVF, the doctor will explain the risks and possible complications of the whole process to the patient, and work with the patient to develop a treatment plan.
2. Ovulation induction and egg collection
In the process of IVF, in order to obtain enough eggs, doctors will use ovulation promoting drugs to stimulate ovarian development and follicle growth, so as to collect eggs at an appropriate time. Before collecting eggs, doctors will conduct ultrasonic monitoring to ensure that the eggs are well developed. Egg collection is a minimally invasive operation, which is performed under painless or local anesthesia. The eggs are taken out by puncturing the ovary.
The eggs collected will be immediately transferred to the laboratory for processing and storage.
3. In vitro fertilization and embryo culture
In vitro fertilization (IVF) is the artificial combination of the extracted egg and sperm in a culture dish to complete the fertilization process in a suitable environment. Normally, sperm will enter the egg and fertilize itself. After 24 hours, the doctor will check the fertilization to confirm whether it is successful.
The fertilized egg will be cultured in the laboratory, and the doctor will select the best time for embryo transfer according to the development of the embryo. The embryo culture usually lasts for 3-5 days, during which the doctor will monitor the embryo and evaluate its quality and development.
4. Embryo transfer and pregnancy monitoring
After the end of embryo culture, doctors will select the most promising embryos to develop into pregnancy for transfer. Embryo transfer is usually performed via vagina (natural cycle) or abdomen (artificial cycle), which is a simple operation without pain or under local anesthesia.
After embryo transfer, patients need a period of rest and recovery. About two weeks later, the doctor will carry out a pregnancy test to determine whether the pregnancy is successful by the level of HCG in the blood.
In general, IVF technology is a very complex and delicate medical process. By selecting suitable patients, promoting ovulation and collecting eggs, in vitro fertilization and embryo culture, embryo transfer, pregnancy monitoring and other steps, IVF technology provides a way for infertile couples to realize their reproductive dreams.
