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In vitro fertilization (IVF) is a kind of assisted reproductive technology, which is widely used to solve the problem of infertility. The steps of IVF will be described in detail below.

1. Ovulation induction therapy
The first step of IVF is ovulation induction therapy. This process usually involves taking oral drugs or injecting ovulation promoting drugs to stimulate the ovaries to produce multiple follicles. The doctor will regularly check the growth of the ovary and inject human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) before the egg matures to promote follicle rupture and release the egg.
Next, the eggs are aspirated using a needle guided by ultrasound. This process is usually carried out in the operating room. The doctor uses a slender needle to draw eggs directly through the ovary through the vagina. Usually more than one egg can be collected at a time.
The collected eggs will be sent to the laboratory for the next step.
2. Fertilization and embryo culture
In the laboratory, doctors fertilize the collected eggs with sperm. Fertilization can be carried out in two ways: conventional fertilization (putting eggs and sperm together) or selective fertilization (doctors select the most active sperm to combine with eggs through a microscope).
After fertilization, eggs will be cultured in a specific culture environment. The doctor will continue to observe the development of the embryo, usually lasting 3 to 5 days. Current research shows that the survival rate of embryo development to blastocyst stage is higher, so some hospitals will take blastocyst transfer as the preferred method.
During the cultivation process, doctors will also carry out a series of genetic tests to screen or exclude embryos carrying genetic diseases.
3. Embryo transfer
After the embryo culture reaches the appropriate stage, the doctor will select one or several embryos with the most potential for development for transplantation. Embryo transfer is usually carried out in the doctor's office or operating room, and an elongated catheter is used to carefully place the embryo into the uterus.
The transplant process is usually painless and does not require anesthesia. Doctors will use ultrasound to guide the catheter to ensure that the embryo is properly placed in the uterus. After transplantation, the patient needs to rest for a period of time so that the embryo can be better implanted into the endometrium.
4. Cryopreservation of eugenic embryos
In the process of IVF, multiple embryos may be generated, but not all embryos will be transferred. Some embryos may be frozen for future use. This method is called embryo cryopreservation.
Cryopreserved embryos can be used in the future, if the first transfer is not successful, or the patient hopes to try to conceive again. The survival rate of frozen embryos is usually high, so they can be preserved for a long time.
summary
IVF is a complicated but high success rate assisted reproductive technology. Through ovulation induction therapy, fertilization and embryo culture, embryo transfer, embryo cryopreservation and other steps, infertile couples have the opportunity to realize their reproductive dreams.