Treatment Of Infertility With IVF!

With IVF the egg is fertilized by sperm cells in a laboratory and the fertilized egg is then implanted into the woman s uterus. This process can use the woman s own eggs of can be performed using fresh or frozen donor eggs. This process involves placing the sperm and eggs in a sterile incubator with carefully monitored temperature and atmospheric conditions for up to 120 hours. 2-5 fertilized eggs are then chosen and implanted into the uterus through a catheter in the cervix.

IVF is a lengthy process and hence multiple eggs are usually implanted into the uterus at one time. This increases the chances of a successful implantation but also increases the risk of multiple pregnancies. Typically up to 5 fertilized eggs are implanted at a time. The remaining eggs may be preserved in case the implantation is unsuccessful.

It takes 4-6 weeks to complete one IVF cycle. For the first week or fortnight, the ovaries are stimulated and medication is given to encourage follicle development. 8-15 eggs are then harvested from the ovaries and fertilized in a laboratory with the male partner s sperm. Up to 5 of the fertilized eggs are then selected and reintroduced into the woman s uterus. If the treatment is successful, at least one of these eggs will be successfully implanted in the uterus and continue to develop into a fetus.

Multiple pregnancies is one of the most common side effects of IVF. This is because typically 2-5 fertilized eggs are implanted at one time. This increases the chances of an egg being successfully implanted in the uterus. Many women who undergo IVF treatment have twins or triplets as a result of this treatment. This may trigger premature labor and cause the babies to be born a little underweight.