Operation process of IVF
IVF is a method of combining sperm and eggs in the laboratory and cultivating them through assisted reproduction technology, and then transplanting the fertilized eggs into the mother's uterus, so that couples who cannot conceive naturally can achieve fertility. The following will introduce the operation process of IVF in detail from four aspects: egg retrieval, sperm retrieval, in vitro fertilization and embryo transfer.
Egg retrieval
The first step of IVF is to take eggs. First of all, the woman needs to have ovulation induction treatment, and use ovulation induction drugs to urge the ovary to release multiple mature eggs. Before treatment, the woman needs to undergo relevant health examination to ensure that she is suitable for IVF operation.
Egg retrieval is usually performed after the ovaries are well developed. Before surgery, the doctor will give the woman general anesthesia or local anesthesia, and then use ultrasound guidance to insert a slender needle into the woman's ovary to collect mature eggs in the follicle. Egg retrieval requires not only skilled doctors, but also careful monitoring to ensure that enough healthy eggs are obtained.
Egg retrieval is usually completed within 30 minutes to 1 hour. After surgery, the woman may have mild abdominal pain, nausea, bleeding and other uncomfortable symptoms, but these usually subside within a few days.
Ejaculation
Sperm extraction is the second step of IVF. If the man's sperm is normal, it can be obtained through natural ejaculation. If the man has abnormal semen or cannot ejaculate naturally, artificial semen can be extracted. The common methods of artificial semen extraction include manual stimulation, electrical stimulation or microscopic semen extraction.
Manual stimulation is to guide men to ejaculate by stimulating with hands, which can be carried out in general hospitals or clinics. Electrical stimulation is the use of an electrical stimulator to stimulate the penis under anesthesia to induce ejaculation. Microsemen removal is to remove sperm directly under local anesthesia under the guidance of microtubules built into the penis head.
After sperm extraction, the sperm will be preliminarily analyzed and processed, and the healthiest and most active sperm will be selected for in vitro fertilization.
In vitro fertilization
In vitro fertilization is the core of IVF. In the laboratory, the healthy sperm obtained is combined with the eggs obtained. First, select a suitable medium, and put the sperm and eggs in the medium for culture for a period of time to make them in the best state.
Then, the doctor will select a certain number of sperm into the culture dish, and then combine an egg with the sperm. Then, the culture dish is placed in the incubator to simulate the environment in the mother. After 24 hours, the doctor will check whether fertilization has occurred.
The fertilized embryos will be further cultured in the laboratory to a suitable stage of development. "In vitro fertilization embryo transfer" can vary according to the specific conditions of different hospitals and patients.
embryo transfer
Embryo transfer is the last step of IVF. The cultured embryos will be selected and placed into the woman's uterus through a slender tube. This is usually a simple operation that can be performed in the operating room of the hospital.
Embryo transfer is usually carried out 2 to 6 days after fertilization, depending on the development of the embryo and the doctor's advice. After transplantation, the woman needs to rest and observe to promote the successful implantation of embryos.
During the IVF procedure, the doctor will closely monitor the woman's ovarian reaction, fertilization and embryo development to ensure successful pregnancy. This process requires patient, careful and professional operation, as well as precise laboratory equipment and technology.
Summary
The operation process of IVF mainly includes egg retrieval, sperm retrieval, in vitro fertilization and embryo transfer. The purpose of taking eggs and sperm is to obtain healthy eggs and sperm, while in vitro fertilization combines eggs and sperm in the laboratory, and embryo transfer puts well developed embryos into the woman's uterus. This process requires sophisticated instruments, skilled doctors and meticulous operations to ensure the successful pregnancy of IVF.
