Many couples often face difficulty conceiving a child. This could be because the woman has some issues with her reproductive system or it could be the man’s sperm count is low. Today infertility is not as big an issue as before. There are many issues a couple could have due to which they are unable to conceive but there are now as many treatments for the same. In this article, we’ll read about the 5 stages of IVF.
One of such options available for infertile couples is IVF or In-vitro fertilization. It is a complex process in which mature eggs are collected from a woman’s body and then are fertilized with a selected count of sperm in a petri dish. Once fertilized these embryos are then transferred back into the mother’s womb.
Do not start your IVF procedures at any random hospital or with any random doctor. Always find the Best IVF center near you to get the best treatment.
Also, at times if you get your IVF treatment, then you can also get rid of some underlying causes of infertility like ovulation problems, male fertility before vasectomy, fallopian tube blockage, etc.
Now, that you know where to go for the best IVF treatment, let us talk about the 5 stages of IVF:
What are the 5 stages of IVF
Stage 1: Ovarian Stimulation or Medication
No matter if you are using your eggs or a donor, any good doctor like Dr. Firuza Parik, would suggest you take some ovary stimulating hormones so that instead of producing one egg every month, your follicles can produce more eggs so that there could be at least 1 viable embryo for transfer during the IVF process.
Stage 2: Egg Retrieval/harvesting Process
After the final trigger shot of hormones to stimulate your ovaries, the egg retrieval will happen at your doctor’s office, then your egg retrieval process will happen at the IVF center. The retrieval will happen within 36 hours of that final shot. It is very important because otherwise, you can lose all the eggs during ovulation.
Stage 3: Sperm Retrieval
You can use either donor sperm or partner sperm. In either case, you will be asked to provide a semen sample in the morning on the day of the egg retrieval. You can also use previously harvested semen for the procedure.
Stage 4: Fertilizing for Embryos
During IVF two basic methods are used for fertilization:
1. Intracytoplasmic sperm injection or ICSI, in this process sperm is injected into every single egg. This process is specifically used when male fertility is the issue. If testicular sperm is used this method is chosen by every infertility center across the globe.
2. This one is the conventional method where eggs and sperms are mixed in a petri dish and left overnight for natural fertilization.
Once this step is completed then it takes up to 20 hours to determine if the fertilization has happened or not. If the fertilization was successful then the embryos would be allowed to grow for the next 5-6 days in the lab and then will come the next step which is step number five! Read about the top 10 risks to reduce the risk of IVF
Stage 5: Transfer of the Embryo
This last stage is very crucial for the whole process. After about 3-5 days you will be asked to again visit your doctor’s office. Before the transfer and then during your first trimester, if you get pregnant, you will have to keep injecting hormones to help you develop your uterine lining, the endometrium.
Once using a catheter, the doctor transfers the embryo to your uterus, it will take about two weeks to know for sure if you are pregnant. It is important to remember that the chances of success in this process are quite less and you might have to try again.
What are the 5 stages of IVF: To sum up
IVF can take up to 2-3 months for successful completion. IVF’s success is dependent on many factors including the health and age of parents. Improve your health for the best results.
IVF can be an emotionally and physically draining process, but it is worth it in the end. The five stages of IVF are embryo transfer, hCG trigger shot, egg retrieval, fertilization, and implantation. If you are considering undergoing IVF treatment, make sure to educate yourself on what to expect so that you can be mentally prepared for each step along the way.
Summary
If you are someone who is facing infertility issues, you and your partner can consider visiting the best IVF center and soon be parents to a happy and healthy kid. You will have to go through 5 stages of the IVF process: Ovarian stimulation, egg retrieval, sperm retrieval, fertilization, and transfer of embryos. Hope this article helped you somewhat understand the process of IVF and gave you an idea as to when and where to go for your IVF treatment should you feel you require one.
