What is the meaning of IVF entering the cycle?
IVF enters the cycle, which means that during the process of assisted reproductive technology, women receive drug treatment to promote the development of eggs, and then transfer the fertilized eggs back to the uterus through a series of operational steps to continue the development and finally achieve pregnancy and childbirth. This article will elaborate on the pre cycle preparation, ovarian stimulation, egg collection and embryo transfer.
1. Preparation before cycle
Before IVF enters the cycle, the doctor will conduct a comprehensive physical examination and fertility consultation for the couple to understand their fertility and potential fertility obstacles. Women need to have their uterus and ovaries checked to ensure their normal function. At the same time, men need to conduct sperm quality and quantity checks to assess their potential as fathers.
In addition to physical examination, couples also need psychological guidance. IVF may face various emotions and pressures during the process, including economic pressure, the possibility of treatment failure, and so on. Psychological counseling can help couples better face these problems and increase their psychological support.
*Later, couples also need to decide whether to use their own eggs and sperm, or use donated eggs or sperm for assisted reproductive technology. This requires couples to make decisions based on their own situation and needs.
2. Ovarian stimulation
In the next stage of the IVF cycle, the doctor will stimulate the ovary of a woman to induce her to ovulate and produce multiple mature eggs. Generally, ovulation stimulating drugs are injected to stimulate the ovary.
In the course of drug treatment, doctors will closely monitor the development of follicles and the maturity of eggs in follicles. Through ultrasonic examination and monitoring of blood hormone levels, doctors can determine the optimal time for egg retrieval.
After ovarian stimulation, women need to undergo egg collection surgery. This is a minor operation. Doctors use ultrasound to guide the removal of eggs through the vagina.
3. Egg collection
Egg collection is one of the key steps in the process of IVF. According to the scheduled time, on the day of egg retrieval, women need to receive anesthetic or sedative drugs to ensure the comfort and safety of the operation process.
During the operation, the doctor will use a slender needle to penetrate the vaginal wall, enter the ovary and extract eggs. This process usually takes dozens of minutes to an hour, and the specific time varies according to individual physique and the number of eggs.
The collected eggs will be immediately sent to the laboratory for culture and fertilization. If necessary, they can also be fertilized with sperm in vitro to cultivate fertilized eggs.
4. Embryo transfer
After cultivation and observation, doctors will determine which fertilized eggs have good quality and development potential. Then, at a good time, the selected embryos will be transferred back to the womens uterus.
Embryo transfer is a simple surgical procedure that usually does not require anesthesia. Doctors use long and thin tubes to insert the fertilized egg or embryo into the uterus, and finally make it continue to develop and embed in the uterus.
After embryo transfer, women need to rest and follow the doctor's instructions, including using drugs, restricting activities, etc., to improve the success rate of implantation. After a few weeks, women can take a blood test to confirm whether they are successful in pregnancy.
summary
IVF entry cycle is a complex and sophisticated assisted reproductive technology. It requires the joint efforts of doctors and couples, through a series of steps, from pre cycle preparation to ovarian stimulation, egg collection and embryo transfer, to finally realize the fertility aspirations of couples. Although there may be some risks and challenges in the process, with the continuous progress of technology, IVF technology has brought hope and joy to many couples.
