What is the whole process of IVF
In vitro fertilization (IVF) refers to the process of combining sperm and eggs to produce embryos in vitro, and then transferring the embryos to the mother's uterus for pregnancy. The whole process of IVF will be described in detail from four aspects.
1. Extract eggs
The first step in the IVF process is to extract eggs. Normally, doctors will inject women with a drug called ovulatory hormone to promote the growth and development of eggs. This process needs to be monitored and adjusted to ensure that enough eggs with qualified quality are extracted.
Generally speaking, the hospital will collect eggs at a specific time in the female ovulation cycle. Through the ovarian puncture technology guided by transvaginal ultrasound, doctors insert long and thin needles into the ovary to suck mature eggs. This process is usually carried out under general anesthesia to ensure women's comfort and safety.
The eggs collected will be immediately transferred to the laboratory for subsequent operations.
2. Collection of sperm and fertilization
At the same time, men need to provide sperm samples, obtained by masturbation or other methods. The samples will be sent to the laboratory, and after special treatment, high-quality and fertile sperm will be extracted.
After that, the laboratory will put the sperm and egg together and conduct the fertilization process in the culture medium. This process can be natural fertilization, that is, letting sperm enter the egg itself, or injecting a single sperm into the egg, which is called single sperm injection (ICSI).
After fertilization, the eggs will continue to be cultured to observe the development of the embryo.
3. Embryo culture and selection
After a period of culture, the embryo will develop into a mass of multiple cells, called a blastocyst. At this stage, doctors will select the most promising embryos for transplantation according to the development and quality of the embryos.
Embryos can be selected by visual observation or assisted by gene detection and other technologies. At present, some hospitals also provide early embryo evaluation and chromosome testing services to improve the success rate of IVF and avoid embryo transfer with chromosome abnormalities.
4. Embryo transfer and pregnancy
After embryo selection, doctors will implant the embryo into the female uterus with a slender catheter. This process generally does not require general anesthesia, but only local anesthesia or painless abortion technology.
After embryo transfer, women need to continue to use hormone drugs to assist pregnancy. The doctor will carry out regular pregnancy inspection for women, as well as necessary hormone monitoring and ultrasound examination to ensure the smooth progress of pregnancy.
If the embryo is successfully implanted and develops into a fetus, the woman will become pregnant normally. At this stage, the doctor will transfer the patient to the gynecologist for subsequent pregnancy management and delivery.
Summary
The whole process of IVF includes egg extraction, sperm collection and fertilization, embryo culture and selection, as well as embryo transfer and successful pregnancy. This process requires highly professional technology and equipment, and is carried out under the guidance and monitoring of doctors. Through IVF technology, many infertile couples have realized the hope of fertility, but they also need to carefully consider personal and social ethical factors.
