Steps of IVF cycle
Test tube baby is a kind of assisted reproductive technology, which is used to treat infertility. Its cycle usually includes the following steps: hormone therapy, ovarian stimulation, egg collection, sperm treatment and fertilization, embryo culture and transplantation, and pregnancy monitoring and management. These steps are described in detail below. hormone therapy
The IVF cycle usually starts on the second or third day of a woman's menstrual cycle. In this step, women will receive hormone therapy to promote the development and excretion of eggs. Usually, they will inject ovulation stimulating hormone, which will help the ovaries produce multiple eggs and improve the success rate of fertilization and pregnancy. In addition, other hormones, such as progesterone and estrogen, will be given to prepare the endometrium for the implantation of fertilized eggs.
At this stage, patients need to often go to the hospital for blood and ultrasound examination to monitor the ovarian response and egg development. The doctor will adjust the hormone dose according to the examination results to achieve the best egg development.
Ovarian stimulation
Once the ovary develops to a certain extent, the doctor will use the ovulatory stimulating hormone to trigger the maturation of the egg and make an appointment for egg collection. In this process, patients need to follow the doctor's advice to adjust their rest and diet.
Before ovarian stimulation, the doctor will determine the best time for collection according to the results of blood and ultrasonic examination. The operation is usually carried out on the day of the ovarian development stage, and mature eggs are collected by puncturing the ovary.
The process of ovarian stimulation and egg collection usually takes several weeks, so for patients, it needs patience and reasonable adjustment.
Sperm processing and fertilization
The eggs collected will be immediately sent to the laboratory for processing. At this time, the sperm provided by male patients will also be processed. Laboratory technicians will select the best sperm according to needs, and then fertilize it with eggs.
There are usually two methods of fertilization: conventional in vitro fertilization and intracytoplasmic sperm injection. Conventional in vitro fertilization means that sperm is added to a culture dish to allow the egg and sperm to self fertilize in the culture dish. Single sperm microinjection is to inject a sperm directly into the egg. This method is applicable to the poor sperm quality of men or the need for genetic testing in some cases.
Embryo culture and transfer, pregnancy monitoring and management
After fertilization, the eggs will continue to be cultured in the laboratory. The cultivation process generally lasts for 3 to 5 days. During this period, laboratory technicians will evaluate the quality of embryos and select the best embryos for transfer.
Embryo transfer is the last step in the IVF cycle. The doctor will use a thin tube to send the embryo quietly into the female uterus. This process is usually simple and painless and does not require anesthesia.
After transplantation, patients need to wait about one to two weeks for pregnancy monitoring. If the pregnancy is successful, the patient will continue to receive prenatal care and pregnancy management; If the pregnancy fails, you can choose to repeat the IVF cycle or other treatment options.
summary
The IVF cycle includes hormone therapy, ovarian stimulation, egg collection, sperm treatment and fertilization, embryo culture and transplantation, and pregnancy monitoring and management. This whole process needs the cooperation of doctors and patients, and under the guidance of doctors. IVF technology provides an opportunity for infertile couples to realize their reproductive aspirations, enabling many people to realize their dream of becoming parents.
