How to calculate the expected date of IVF
With the development of IVF technology, many couples who cannot conceive naturally can realize their dreams of procreation. However, in the process of IVF, accurate estimation of the expected date of birth is crucial for doctors and prospective parents. Next, this article will elaborate on how to calculate the expected date of IVF from four aspects: the date of the last menstrual period of the pregnant woman, the date of IVF embryo transfer, ultrasonic measurement and embryo development.
1. Date of last menstrual period of pregnant women
The last menstrual date of pregnant women is the most important reference for predicting the expected date of IVF. This date is determined by the first day of the last menstrual period of the pregnant woman. Generally, for women with a pregnancy cycle of 28 days, the first day of the last menstrual period is the first day of the expected delivery period. However, for women with irregular periods, the estimation of the expected date of birth needs to be considered together with other factors.
Once the date of the last menstrual period is determined, the range of the expected date can be estimated by adding or subtracting 7 days. This method is based on the assumption that ovulation normally occurs on the 14th day of the menstrual cycle and the implantation of fertilized eggs occurs on the 7th day after fertilization. The addition or subtraction of 7 days can include about 96% of the time when the fetus is born around the expected date of birth.
However, it should be noted that the calculation method of the last menstrual date of pregnant women is not 100% accurate, but can only be used as a reference to give an approximate expected date of birth. Therefore, the combination of other factors will be more conducive to accurately calculate the expected date of IVF.
2. Date of IVF embryo transfer
The date of IVF embryo transfer is another important reference factor. Embryo transfer refers to the process of placing the fertilized embryo into the uterus of a pregnant woman for pregnancy. According to the date of embryo transfer, the expected date of IVF can be calculated.
Generally, the embryo transfer date is from the 3rd to the 5th day after fertilization. Taking the date of embryo transfer as the starting point, plus 280 days (40 weeks) of pregnancy, the range of expected delivery period can be obtained. It should be noted that this method is only applicable to the measurement within 10 to 12 days after embryo transfer, because the subsequent embryonic development process will affect the expected date of delivery.
At the same time, some hospitals will judge the pregnancy situation by measuring the level of HCG (chorionic gonadotropin) in the blood after embryo transfer, and then determine the expected date of delivery. The rising speed and level of HCG can reflect the pregnant cycle of pregnant women to a certain extent.
3. Ultrasonic measurement
Ultrasound is a commonly used method to measure the expected delivery date of test tube babies. Ultrasonic measurements of the fetus can provide a good estimate of the expected date of birth, especially in early pregnancy. By measuring the size of the fetal skull or body, as well as the development of the fetus, doctors can determine the scope of the expected delivery date.
Generally speaking, the error of ultrasonic measurement in the expected production period is between 1-2 weeks, and the accuracy is high. In the normal developing fetus, the closer to the expected date of delivery, the error of ultrasonic measurement will be reduced.
In addition, the fetal development, including head circumference, abdomen circumference and limb length, can also be observed through ultrasonic examination. These data are also very helpful to evaluate the growth status of the fetus and predict the birth weight.
4. Embryo development
Embryo development is another important factor in the estimation of the expected delivery date of IVF. The development of embryos can be determined by observing and evaluating the embryo culture plate.
Embryo culture dish is a special culture dish with high transparency, and embryos can be observed through a microscope. The cell division and development of the embryo can be judged by the observation of the culture plate, and then the range of the expected birth date can be calculated.
In addition, we can also estimate the expected date of delivery more accurately by evaluating the quality of embryos. A good embryo may be born early, while a poor embryo may be born late.
Summary
The expected date of IVF can be accurately calculated by many methods, such as the date of the last menstrual period of pregnant women, the date of IVF embryo transfer, ultrasonic measurement and embryo development. Of course, because everyone's physiological conditions and pregnancy process may be different, the estimated results of the expected date of birth are only for reference. The doctor will make comprehensive judgment and adjustment according to the specific situation to ensure the safety and health of IVF.
