How long does the IVF process take?
Test tube baby technology is a method to conceive babies in the laboratory through assisted reproductive technology. The process of IVF will be different due to different medical institutions and individual conditions. This article will elaborate on the time required for IVF process from four aspects.
Physical examination and assessment (1-3 months)
The process of IVF first requires a comprehensive physical examination and assessment of the couple's physical condition. This includes male and female reproductive system tests, blood tests, and genetic evaluations. For women, necessary gynecological examination, endocrine examination and ovarian function evaluation are also indispensable.
The whole process of physical examination and assessment usually takes one to three months, depending on the doctor's appointment and the complexity of the examination items. The doctor will evaluate whether couples are suitable for IVF based on the physical examination results and give relevant suggestions.
Ovulation induction and egg collection (2-4 weeks)
If the physical examination results show that couples are suitable for IVF, the next step is to stimulate women's ovaries to emit more eggs by using ovulation promoting drugs. This phase usually lasts for 2 to 4 weeks.
During this process, the doctor will regularly conduct ultrasonic examination and blood test to ensure that the ovarian ovulation reaction is normal. Once the egg is mature, the doctor will use the painless anchor egg extractor to collect the egg from the ovary in the operating room. This process usually takes 30 minutes to 1 hour.
Fertilization and embryo culture (3-5 days)
The collected eggs will be fertilized in the laboratory with sperm from men, usually through in vitro fertilization (IVF) or microinjection (ICSI) technology. Once fertilization is successful, the embryo will continue to grow and develop in the culture dish.
Embryo culture usually takes 3 to 5 days. Doctors will closely monitor the development of embryos and select the most promising embryos for transplantation.
Embryo transfer and follow-up observation (2-3 weeks)
After selecting the most promising embryo in the embryo culture, the doctor will transfer the embryo in the womb. This is a simple daytime operation that usually takes only a few minutes.
After transplantation, women need to rest and avoid strenuous exercise. Then, the doctor will arrange to test the hormone level of ethylamine piperazine (HCG) to confirm whether she is pregnant. If the pregnancy is successful, the woman will be kept under the supervision of the obstetrician and gynecologist for further inspection and observation until the pregnancy exceeds 12 weeks.
In general, the whole IVF process takes about 3 to 6 months, and the time required for each stage will vary. However, the exact schedule depends on individual conditions and medical institutions' arrangements. Therefore, couples need to consult and communicate with doctors in detail before IVF, so as to develop a suitable time plan.
Summary
The process of IVF involves several stages, including physical examination and evaluation, ovulation promotion and egg collection, fertilization and embryo culture, embryo transfer and follow-up observation. The whole process takes about 3 to 6 months. However, the time required for each stage varies according to individual conditions and medical institutions. Before IVF, couples should consult with their doctors in detail and work out a time plan suitable for them.
