What is the natural cycle of IVF
The natural cycle of IVF refers to the normal reproductive cycle of women without any intervention. In the natural cycle, women will naturally ovulate, fertilize eggs and sperm, and then the embryo will be implanted and developed in the uterus. This process does not require the use of drugs or surgical intervention, mainly relying on women's own physiological mechanisms to achieve. The natural cycle of IVF will be described in detail in the following four aspects: menstrual cycle, ovulation, fertilization and implantation.
menstrual cycle
Menstrual cycle refers to the time interval from the first day of one month's menstrual period to the end of the first day of the next month's menstrual period. Generally speaking, the normal range is 21 to 35 days of menstrual cycle. On the first day of the menstrual cycle, the endometrium begins to fall off, forming menstruation, which means that a new round of fertility opportunities has begun. In the natural cycle, the chance for women to experience ovulation and fertilization usually occurs in the middle part of the menstrual cycle.
The ovary plays an important role in the menstrual cycle. The ovaries release eggs and secrete hormones to maintain the growth and preparation of the endometrium. This process is called early follicular development. Then, one follicle will develop into the dominant follicle, while other follicles will stop developing. The egg in the dominant follicle tends to mature, ready to split and fertilize. When the follicle is mature enough, it will burst, release the egg, and begin the ovulation process.
ovulation
Ovulation is the process by which eggs are released from the ovary into the fallopian tube. In natural cycles, ovulation generally occurs in the middle of the menstrual cycle. Ovulation is a key step in fertility, because only when the egg is released, can sperm combine with it to fertilize.
The specific time of ovulation is not fixed, and every woman will be different. However, many women will have some physical signs before ovulation, such as temperature rise, changes in cervical mucus and ovarian pain. These signs can help women understand their ovulation time and try to conceive at an appropriate time.
be fertilized
Fertilization refers to the process of sperm and egg combination. In the natural cycle, fertilization usually occurs within a few hours after the egg is released from the ovary. The sperm swims to the egg through the oviduct. If the egg can be successfully fertilized by the sperm, it will form a fertilized egg, which is the initial stage of the embryo. The success rate of fertilization depends on the quality and quantity of sperm, the quality of eggs and the smoothness of fallopian tubes.
implantation
Implantation refers to the process in which the fertilized egg attaches to the endometrium and begins to develop. In the natural cycle, the fertilized egg will swim to the uterus within a few days after the egg and sperm combine. Once the fertilized egg reaches the uterus, it will try to attach to the endometrium and begin to develop into an embryo. After successful implantation, the embryo will continue to develop and eventually form a healthy fetus.
To sum up, the natural cycle of IVF includes menstrual cycle, ovulation, fertilization and implantation. This process is determined by women's own physiological mechanism and does not require any intervention. Knowing your menstrual cycle and ovulation time will help women try to conceive at an appropriate time. However, if pregnancy is still impossible within the natural cycle, IVF technology may become an option.
