The whole process of IVF
IVF is a kind of assisted reproductive technology, which aims to help couples who cannot conceive naturally achieve their reproductive aspirations. The process of IVF usually includes the following specific steps and technical operations.
1. In vitro fertilization
In vitro fertilization is the first step in the IVF process. At a specific point in time, women are treated with ovulation promoting drugs to increase the number of eggs in their ovaries. When the eggs in the ovary mature, doctors will use ultrasound and other detection methods to confirm the development of follicles. Later, doctors will use special surgical tools to extract eggs from follicles. In the laboratory, the collected eggs and sperm are placed in a culture dish for in vitro fertilization. Doctors inject sperm into a petri dish to fertilize eggs.
The fertilized egg will be observed in the culture dish and will develop into a fertilized egg within 48 to 72 hours. During this time, doctors will monitor the development of the fertilized eggs to ensure that they reach a healthy level.
2. Embryo culture
The embryos developed from the fertilized eggs need to be further cultured in the laboratory. The commonly used techniques of embryo culture include traditional culture and continuous culture. The traditional culture is to put the fertilized egg into the medium containing the necessary nutrients, so that it can continue to develop under specific conditions. Continuous culture is to use special culture devices to provide more stable and accurate environmental conditions to promote the development of embryos.
Doctors regularly check the development of embryos and evaluate their quality and suitability. These assessments can help doctors select the most suitable embryo for transplantation, so as to improve the success rate of pregnancy.
3. Embryo transfer
Embryo transfer is a key step in the process of IVF. The doctor will select the best quality embryo and implant it into a woman's uterus. Transplantation can be carried out in different ways, such as traditional endometrial transplantation and frozen embryo transfer.
In traditional endometrium transplantation, doctors implant embryos into the endometrium through vaginal cannula. This requires precise manipulation and techniques to ensure that the embryo can successfully attach to the endometrium and continue to develop. In frozen embryo transfer, embryos will be implanted under the condition of prior cryopreservation.
4. Follow up monitoring and pregnancy testing
After embryo implantation, women need further monitoring and testing. The doctor will arrange regular prenatal examination to ensure the implantation and development of the embryo. Generally speaking, pregnancy test will be carried out about two weeks after embryo transfer, and pregnancy hormone level in blood or urine will be detected to confirm whether pregnancy is successful.
If the pregnancy test is positive, women need to continue pregnancy monitoring and health care until they give birth to a healthy baby.
summary
The whole process of IVF includes in vitro fertilization, embryo culture, embryo transfer and follow-up monitoring. This complex process requires precise operations and techniques to ensure the healthy development of embryos and successful pregnancy. Through IVF technology, those couples who cannot conceive naturally can realize their fertility desire and welcome their babies.
