Flow of IVF
IVF is an assisted reproductive technology that helps couples who cannot conceive naturally realize their dreams of pregnancy and childbirth through artificial insemination or in vitro fertilization. The specific process of IVF will be introduced in detail from four aspects.
Step 1: ovulation induction
First, women need to receive ovulation induction therapy. Ovulation induction therapy aims to increase the chance of pregnancy by using drugs to stimulate the ovary to produce multiple follicles. This usually requires daily injections of drugs to regulate ovarian function until the follicles develop to the appropriate size.
Generally speaking, doctors will use ultrasound to monitor the ovaries to ensure that the follicles are developed and the time for taking eggs is the best. Once the size and number of follicles meet the requirements, the doctor will give a trigger to enable the follicles to develop to the final mature stage, ready for fertilization.
It is worth noting that the ovulation induction treatment process needs to be closely monitored and adjusted to ensure that the dosage and timing of drugs are accurate, so as to maximize the success rate of pregnancy.
Step 2: Egg collection and sperm extraction
When the follicle develops to the proper size, the doctor will conduct egg collection and sperm extraction in the operating room. This is a minimally invasive surgery, usually performed under local anesthesia.
Through a long, thin and soft catheter, the doctor will puncture each mature follicle, and then use special fluid to collect the eggs. At the same time, sperm collected from male patients can be obtained through natural urination or masturbation.
Egg collection and sperm extraction are the core links of IVF, and their success is directly related to the success of subsequent fertilization and embryo culture.
Step 3: In vitro fertilization
After egg collection and sperm extraction, the next step is to fertilize eggs and sperm in vitro. This is usually done in the laboratory by placing sperm around the egg so that fertilization can take place.
There are two common ways of IVF: one is to put the egg and sperm into the same culture dish and naturally fertilize them in the culture dish; The other is through direct injection of a single sperm into the egg to achieve compulsory fertilization.
Once fertilization is successful, the embryo begins to divide and form. Doctors will observe the quality and development of embryos and select the best embryos for transplantation.
Step 4: Embryo transfer and pregnancy monitoring
Embryo transfer is the last and most critical step of IVF. The doctor will put the selected embryo into the female uterus through a slender tube. This process usually does not require anesthesia and is a painless operation.
Next, patients need to wait a few days or weeks for pregnancy monitoring. The doctor will regularly conduct blood or urine tests according to the situation to determine whether the pregnancy is successful. If the result is positive, the dream of IVF will come true.
To sum up, the process of IVF includes ovulation induction, egg collection and sperm extraction, in vitro fertilization, embryo transfer and pregnancy monitoring. The birth of this technology has brought new hopes and opportunities to couples who cannot conceive naturally, enabling them to realize their desire to become parents.
