Time period of IVF process
Test tube baby technology is a kind of modern reproductive medicine technology, which is applicable to those couples who are difficult to conceive naturally. In the process of IVF, doctors will help women fertilize and develop embryos, and then transfer the embryos back to the mother to achieve pregnancy. The process of IVF needs to go through multiple stages, and the time cycle of IVF process will be described in detail from different perspectives below.
1. Screening and preparation stage
At the beginning of IVF, couples need to screen and prepare. First, couples need to choose a formal reproductive hospital or clinic, such as Beijing Union Medical College Hospital Reproductive Medical Center or Shanghai Jiaotong University Affiliated Obstetrics and Gynecology Hospital.
Secondly, the doctor will conduct a comprehensive physical examination of the couple to understand the possible causes of infertility. These examinations include endometrial thickness, oviduct patency, sperm quality, etc.
Finally, the doctor will also learn about the couple's personal conditions, such as age, living habits, etc., to comprehensively evaluate the chances and success rate of couples for IVF. The whole screening and preparation phase takes about one month.
2. Superovulation and egg retrieval stage
During the superovulation and egg retrieval phase of IVF, women receive drug treatment to promote the growth and development of eggs. The doctor will adjust the drug dosage according to the women's physical condition and individual reaction.
After 5-10 days of treatment, doctors will use ultrasound technology to monitor the size and number of follicles. Once the follicle develops to the proper size, the doctor will give a trigger injection in time to promote ovulation.
About 36 hours later, the doctor will take the eggs in the operating room. This is a minimally invasive surgery process, which usually requires local anesthesia. In this process, doctors use ultrasound guidance to guide slender needles to puncture the ovary and extract eggs.
3. Fertilization and embryo culture stage
After taking the eggs, the doctor combines the eggs with the sperm. Fertilization rate is usually between 60-70%, depending on the quality of sperm and eggs.
After fertilization, the embryo will be cultured in the laboratory. Doctors will provide a warm, moist and nutritious environment for embryos. Generally, embryos will be cultured in the incubator for 2-6 days.
During this period, doctors will closely monitor the development of embryos and evaluate their quality. Usually only a few of the best embryos will be selected for transfer.
4. Embryo transfer and pregnancy stage
At the end of the embryo culture phase, the best quality embryos will be selected for transfer back to the mother. Embryo transfer is a simple surgical procedure, usually without anesthesia.
After transplantation, doctors will ask women to rest and avoid strenuous activities. A week later, women may need hormone replacement therapy such as progesterone to help maintain pregnancy.
After about two weeks, women will have blood or urine tests to determine whether they are pregnant. If the test results are positive, the IVF is successful. Then women will conduct further regular ultrasound and blood tests to ensure the healthy development of the embryo.
summary
The time cycle of IVF can vary according to individual conditions, but usually includes screening and preparation stage, superovulation and egg retrieval stage, fertilization and embryo culture stage, as well as embryo transfer and pregnancy stage. The whole process may take weeks to months. Choosing a formal reproductive hospital or clinic, following the doctor's advice and guidance, and maintaining a good attitude will help improve the chances of IVF success.
