Treatment Of Infertility With IVF!

Each month, when an egg is released from the ovary, it travels through the fallopian tube to reach the uterus. If one or both fallopian tubes are blocked, the egg cannot reach the uterus. This prevents it from being fertilized and causes infertility. A partially blocked fallopian tube can increase the risk of an ectopic pregnancy. Hence, in such cases, if the fallopian tube cannot be opened, IVF is suggested.

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.

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.

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.