Test tube baby - the process of scientific assisted reproduction
IVF is a method to help couples who cannot conceive naturally to achieve their reproductive aspirations through artificial assisted reproduction technology. The steps of IVF will be described in detail below.
1. Physical examination and consultation
Before couples decide to try IVF, they need to have a comprehensive physical examination to understand the health of their reproductive system. This includes examining the woman's ovaries, uterus and fallopian tubes, and analyzing the man's semen to determine if there are any potential problems.
After that, couples will consult with reproductive experts to understand the whole process, success rate, risks and possible psychological pressure of IVF. Doctors will evaluate the health of the couple and develop personalized treatment plans.
In China, some large general hospitals, such as Peking Union Medical College Hospital and Renji Hospital affiliated to Shanghai Jiaotong University School of Medicine, have complete assisted reproductive technology teams and facilities.
2. Ovulation induction therapy
The success rate of IVF is related to the number and quality of the woman's eggs. Therefore, ovulation induction treatment is usually carried out before egg collection. This involves the use of hormone drugs to stimulate the ovaries to produce more eggs.
The use of hormone drugs requires accurate planning and monitoring to avoid side effects and ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome. The doctor will conduct regular B ultrasound examination to observe the ovarian response and adjust the drug dose according to the examination results.
At this stage, couples need to inject and record drugs according to the doctor's instructions. Medical staff should provide support and answer questions at any time to ensure the smooth progress of treatment.
3. Egg collection and sperm treatment
When multiple eggs reach the mature state, doctors will use ultrasound guided fine needles to collect eggs. This process is usually carried out under anesthesia to ensure the comfort and safety of the patient.
The collected eggs were then sent to the laboratory for processing, and were fertilized in vitro with the sperm from the man. Usually, doctors will choose the best quality sperm for injection to improve the possibility of pregnancy.
Professional reproductive hospitals in China, such as Nanjing Traditional Chinese Medicine Hospital affiliated to Nanjing Medical University, have advanced laboratory equipment and experienced experimental operators to ensure the success of the fertilization process and the smooth progress of embryo culture.
4. Embryo transfer and blastocyst freezing
After a certain period of cultivation, doctors will select the healthiest embryos with good development potential for transplantation. Embryo transfer is a simple painless process, usually without anesthesia.
For embryos that have not been transferred, blastocysts can be frozen (cryopreservation). This means that these embryos can be used in the future without further in vitro fertilization and egg collection.
After transplantation, the woman needs to have a period of rest and recovery, and take progesterone and other drugs to increase the possibility of implantation. After about two weeks, a blood or urine pregnancy test can be performed to determine whether or not you are pregnant.
To sum up, the steps of IVF include physical examination and consultation, ovulation induction therapy, egg collection and sperm treatment, embryo transfer and blastocyst freezing. This is a complex process that needs to go through multiple stages, and requires the active cooperation of the couple and the careful operation of the doctor team. With the help of modern medicine, many couples who cannot conceive naturally have fulfilled their dream of becoming parents through science and technology.
