Today, thanks to scientific advances, people with fertility problems who want to become pregnant have greater possibilities of achieving this dream. One way to achieve this is through in vitro fertilization (IVF), an assisted reproduction technique that is widely accepted for its effectiveness.

This advanced reproductive technology first became successful in England in 1978 and was initially used only to treat infertility caused by blocked fallopian tubes. IVF has evolved to become an effective treatment for all causes of infertility when simpler treatments have not been successful or are not an option for couples who yearn to become parents or single mothers by choice.

In vitro fertilization is the most effective form of assisted reproductive technology. In vitro fertilization is the most effective form of assisted reproductive technology.

What is in vitro fertilization?

This is a highly complex assisted reproductive technique with several phases:

Ovarian stimulation: consists of controlled hyperstimulation so that, with the use of medications called ovulation inducers, many eggs grow. In this part of the treatment, ultrasound controls and hormone measurements are required.  It has an average duration of 10 to 12 days.

Follicular aspiration: procedure performed under sedation; the eggs that grew during ovarian stimulation are extracted vaginally.

IVF-ICSI: in the in vitro laboratory, eggs are joined with sperm, either through IVF, i.e. leaving an egg with a capacitated amount of sperm to fertilize it, or through ICSI, which is the direct injection of a sperm into each mature egg.

Embryo development: the embryos are evaluated in the incubator with the appropriate culture medium to select the best one and transfer or freeze.

Embryo transfer: it is a simple procedure in which, through a catheter introduced through the vagina, an embryo is left in the uterus, endometrial cavity, so that it implants, adheres to its walls and thus pregnancy occurs.

Freezing of embryos: if there are embryos left over and they are of good quality, they are frozen to be stored in the cryobank and to be used for a new pregnancy, for example, or to try again if the first attempt was unsuccessful.

An in vitro fertilization cycle can last approximately 18 days. On some occasions the transfer must be deferred due to a medical condition of the patient and will be postponed until conditions permit. In this case an endometrial preparation is performed to thaw and transfer the embryo.

Among the indications for in vitro fertilization are:

Tubal factor: Pomeroy, tubal obstruction.

Male factor

Ovulatory factor: low ovarian reserve, poor quality eggs.

Age factor: women 40 years of age or older.

Please note that before starting an IVF cycle with your own eggs and your partner’s sperm you will need several diagnostic tests including:

Ovarian reserve test: to determine the quantity and quality of your eggs your doctor may test the concentration of follicle stimulating hormone (FSH), luteinizing hormone (LH), estradiol (estrogen) during the first days of your menstrual cycle or antimüllerian hormone in your blood. The results of the tests, which are often used in conjunction with an ultrasound of the ovaries to count antral follicles, are tools to predict how your ovaries will respond to ovulation-inducing medications.

Semen analysis: The spermogram is a primary part of infertility studies. There are other tests that will be ordered based on this result.

Infectious disease screening: you and your partner will be screened for infectious diseases, including HIV.

Embryo transfer (simulated): your physician may perform a simulated embryo transfer to determine the depth of your uterine cavity and the technique most likely to be successful in placing the embryos in the uterus.

Uterine examination: the evaluation of the uterine cavity and the endometrium, the tissue that lines it internally, is very important because this is where the embryo will be left and the pregnancy will be carried. This evaluation is performed by transvaginal ultrasound and according to the findings, the study or treatment can be extended by performing a hysterosonography, in which liquid is injected through the cervix into the uterus to then perform an ultrasound and better visualize the endometrial cavity, or by hysteroscopy, a surgical procedure in which the endometrial cavity is directly visualized and polyps or fibroids can be resected..

The success rate of in vitro fertilization (IVF) depends on the age of the woman receiving the treatment, as well as the ovarian reserve.

Solve all your doubts with Profamilia Fertility, remember to consult as soon as possible to provide you with the most appropriate treatment.

#Let’s make it happen, together we will make the dream of having a child possible!!