Updated by: Arabinda Naik
in vitro fertilization is a process by which an egg is fertilized by a sperm outside the body. The zygote or early embryo is transferred into the uterus or fallopian tube for further development called embryo transfer. This method is popularly known as the test tube baby program.
Step-1 First fertility drugs are given to the woman to boost ovulation. Fertility drugs stimulate the ovaries to produce several eggs. During this step, the woman will have regular ultrasounds to examine the ovaries and blood tests to check hormone levels.
Step-2 A minor surgery called follicular aspiration is done to remove the eggs from the woman's body. Using ultrasound images, the doctor inserts a thin needle through the vagina into the ovary. The needle is connected to a suction device that pulls the egg with fluid.
Step-3 The semen is placed with the best quality eggs. The mixing of the sperm and egg is called insemination. Eggs and sperm are then stored in an environmentally controlled chamber. A Sperm fertilize an egg a few hours after insemination.
Step-4 The Zygote undergoes cleavage and turns into an embryo.
Step- 5 Embryos are placed into the woman’s womb 3 to 5 days after fertilization. The physician inserts a thin tube called a catheter containing embryos into the woman’s vagina up to the womb. the embryo will be transferred into the womb and if an embryo implants in the lining of the womb and grows, pregnancy is established. Unused embryos may be frozen and implanted later.
Step- 6 After the embryo is transferred the woman may be advised to take rest. Complete bed rest is not necessary unless there is an increased risk of OHSS. Women who undergo IVF are prescribed to take daily doses of progesterone for 8 to 10 weeks after embryo transfer which helps in preparing the lining of the uterus for implantation. less progesterone during the early week of pregnancy may lead to miscarriage.
IVF is done to help women become pregnant in the following cases. Advance age of the woman, with damaged fallopian tubes, endometriosis decreases sperm count.
A woman taking fertility medicines may have bloating, abdominal pain, mood swings, and headache. In some cases, fertility drugs may cause ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome OHSS. This condition causes a build of fluid in the abdomen and chest. There is a risk of multiple pregnancies when more than one embryo is placed into the womb. Carrying more than one baby at a time increases the risk of premature birth. IVF is very expensive. Fees for a single IVF cycle include costs for medicines, surgery, anaesthesia, ultrasounds, blood test, processing of the eggs and sperm, embryo storage, and embryo transfer. The exact expenditure of a single IVF may cost in the range of 6 to 9 lakh rupees.