What age is old?
Older IVF babies refer to women who try assisted reproductive technology (ART) to conceive at a later age (usually 35 years old and above). Women's fertility declines with age, and pregnancy becomes more difficult after the age of 35. However, it is a controversial issue to determine when to start being called senior and try ART.
According to different medical institutions and studies, the definition of advanced age varies between 33 and 45 years old. In the United States, the American Society of Reproductive Medicine (ASRM) defines women over 35 years of age as advanced age, while the British Society of Reproductive Medicine and Embryology (ESHRE) defines women over 40 years of age as advanced age. These definitions are often related to female fertility decline and increased fertility risk.
Although there are different definitions, women usually choose to carry out advanced IVF because of the decrease of fertility and the increase of fertility risk. Therefore, if a woman is in the middle 30~40 age group and is aware of her fertility decline, it may be a wise choice to consult a doctor as soon as possible and consider the elderly IVF.
What are the appropriate treatments?
For the elderly IVF infants, the common treatment methods include in vitro fertilization embryo transfer (IVF-ET) and egg donation.
1. In vitro fertilization embryo transfer (IVF-ET): This is the most common treatment for the elderly IVF, which involves combining the female egg with the male sperm in the laboratory, and then transplanting the fertilized egg into the female uterus for further development. This treatment can help older women increase their chances of pregnancy and provide opportunities to monitor and regulate embryos.
2. Egg donation: For those women whose ovarian function is damaged or who no longer lay eggs, egg donation may be an option. In this case, a young woman's egg will be extracted and combined with the male sperm, and then the fertilized egg will be transplanted into the recipient's uterus.
In addition, for elderly women, some adjuvant treatments may also be used to increase the probability of successful pregnancy. For example, preimplantation genetic diagnosis (PGD) can help to screen embryos with chromosomal abnormalities and reduce the risk of abortion and chromosomal diseases.
Treatment process and precautions
The treatment process of elderly IVF infants usually includes the following steps:
1. Assessment and examination: Women usually need to carry out a comprehensive physical and reproductive system assessment before considering older IVF infants. This includes blood examination, ovarian function assessment, uterine structure examination, etc.
2. Ovulation promotion: In order to increase the quantity and quality of eggs, women usually receive ovulation promotion drugs. These drugs can stimulate the ovaries to lay eggs.
3. Egg taking and fertilization: Once the ovary has produced enough eggs, the doctor will use ultrasound guided fine needles to extract the mature eggs, and then combine them with sperm in the laboratory.
4. Embryo transfer: After successful fertilization, doctors will select several of the healthiest embryos for transfer. This process is usually carried out in the laboratory, using a thin tube to place the embryo in a woman's uterus.
In the treatment of elderly IVF infants, some precautions should also be taken. First, women should maintain a healthy lifestyle, including proper diet, exercise and reducing stress. Secondly, medical treatment should be carried out according to the doctor's guidance, and regular inspection and consultation should be carried out.
Summary
Older IVF babies refer to women who try assisted reproductive technology to conceive when they are 35 years old or older. Treatment methods include in vitro fertilization embryo transfer and egg donation. The treatment process involves assessment and inspection, ovulation induction, oocyte retrieval and fertilization, embryo transfer and other steps. When conducting treatment, women need to pay attention to a healthy lifestyle and follow the doctor's advice. Older IVF babies provide an opportunity for older women to achieve fertility.
