Key steps of IVF transplantation
IVF is an assisted reproductive technology that helps couples who cannot conceive naturally realize their reproductive dreams. The key steps of this technology include: finding suitable hospitals and doctors, taking eggs, sperm extraction and fertilization, embryo culture and selection, and embryo transfer. Each step is explained below.
Find the right hospital and doctor
Finding a suitable hospital is the first step of IVF transplantation. Both husband and wife can collect information through the Internet, friends or family doctors. They need to consider the professional level, equipment and technology of the hospital, success rate, experience and reputation of doctors and other factors. In China, for example, well-known hospitals in China, such as Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Ruijin Hospital affiliated to Shanghai Jiaotong University, and Obstetrics and Gynecology Hospital affiliated to Zhejiang University School of Medicine, all provide IVF transplantation services.
Once the hospital is selected, the couple needs to interview the doctor. Doctors will carefully understand the couple's medical history, the causes of pregnancy disorders and the goals they hope to achieve. At the same time, doctors will also introduce the process and possible risks of IVF transplantation to patients in detail. Under the guidance of doctors, couples can develop personalized treatment plans.
Fetching eggs is one of the key steps in IVF transplantation. After finding a suitable hospital, women need to conduct ovulation induction treatment, regulate ovarian function through drugs, promote ovarian development and produce multiple mature eggs. Doctors will regularly monitor the growth of follicles and collect eggs at the best time.
Sperm extraction and fertilization
In order to perform IVF, male sperm needs to be collected. Normally, men will provide semen samples under the guidance of the hospital. However, if men are unable to provide sperm by themselves, doctors can consider carrying out testicular puncture or sperm extraction and other auxiliary sperm extraction methods.
After collecting sperm, the doctor will fertilize the egg provided by the woman. The traditional method is to place sperm and eggs in a culture dish to allow natural fertilization to occur. However, modern assisted reproductive technology also provides more accurate and efficient methods, such as micro fertilization and intracytoplasmic sperm injection. These methods can accurately inject a sperm into an egg in the laboratory to improve the success rate of fertilization.
Embryo culture and selection
After fertilization, the egg will continue to develop into an embryo in the culture dish. Doctors regularly assess the health and development progress of the embryo. These assessments are usually based on the appearance, number of cells and cell structure of the embryo. During the evaluation process, doctors will select the embryo that is most promising to develop into a healthy fetus according to the quality of the embryo.
After embryo selection, doctors can either freeze it or transfer it immediately. The transfer of frozen embryos can be carried out in the future cycle to increase the chance of pregnancy.
embryo transfer
Embryo transfer is the last step of IVF transfer. The doctor will use a thin tube to transfer the selected embryo into the female uterus. This process is usually a simple, painless and non-invasive operation without anesthesia.
After embryo transfer, women will continue to take progesterone and other drugs to help embryo implantation and development. After about two weeks, the doctor will conduct a blood or urine test to determine whether the pregnancy is successful.
To sum up, IVF transplantation is a complex and sophisticated technology, which requires appropriate hospitals, experienced doctors, coordinated cooperation and scientific and precise operation. Only when every key step is carefully implemented and monitored can couples realize their reproductive dreams.
