IVF

Initially developed for women with blocked or missing fallopian tubes, the IVF bypasses the fallopian tubes. Thus, it is definitely for women experiencing issues with the fallopian tubes. It is also chosen by couples with unexplained infertility, male factor infertility, and endometriosis. The fertility expert reviews your history and helps you to get the appropriate treatment to suit your fertility issues.

Usually, patients seek medical advice from a fertility doctor after one year of unsuccessful attempts to conceive. A fertile couple has about 20% chances of conceiving in any given month. It is called natural pregnancy. In a year, with persistent trying to conceive, about 90% become pregnant. The remaining 10% should see a fertility specialist. Especially, women who are aged over 30 years are encouraged to get a fertility check, after six months of trying to conceive. Women over 40 years should consult the fertility special soon after they decide to have a child.

The success rate of IVF treatment differs from patient to patient. Your fertility specialist can anticipate the result in your case after a complete evaluation. It includes re-examining your history and prior responses to fertility medications, an in-depth physical testing and making up treatment plan.

The in vitro fertilization process can take upto four to six weeks prior to egg retrieval. The embryo(s) are implanted between two to five days afterwards. The success rate of IVF cycle isn't guaranteed. It could take one or multiple IVF cycles for successful pregnancy.

Generally, egg retrieval is a 15- 30 mins process. However, it depends on the number of follicles and accessibility of the ovary by the ultrasound.

Egg retrieval is done under the effect of anesthesia. Hence, it is not painful. You may have common side effects of anesthesia such as nausea and vomiting.

Day one of your cycle is the first day of full flow menstrual bleeding. It doesn’t mean spotting. If this happens after 12 p.m. (noon), the next day is regarded as day one. Generally, patients receive injections for 8 to 10 days. However, some may take them for a little longer.

Certainly Yes. Your fertility expert will recommend you to follow these basic guidelines listed underneath during the IVF process and into your pregnancy.

• Smoking: Smoking has toxic effects and negatively impacts woman’s eggs. Thus, both partners should stop smoking atleast 3 months before starting ovulation induction and IVF cycle.
• Drinking: You should not consume alcohol at the beginning of IVF treatment, until the pregnancy test. If found pregnant, alcohol should be avoided until the birth of the child.
• Medications: As some medicines interfere with prescribed fertility medication or embryo transference, do check with yout doctor before you take any over-the-counter medications.
• Intense exercise: Extreme physical activities such as weightlifting, aerobics, and running are not safe during ovarian stimulation and until you get the test results of pregnancy.
• Supplements: Do not take Herbal supplements during the IVF process.

The success of frozen embryo transfer relies on three factors:

• The quality and endurance of the frozen-thawed embryos. The embryologist freezes only good quality embryos so the rate of survival is more than 90%.
• The age of the woman whose eggs were taken. Patients under 37 years of age have same chances of pregnancy with both the fresh and the frozen embryos. However, if you are over 37 years of age, due to declining fertility, the chances of pregnancy are less.
• The condition of the uterus in the woman receiving the embryos also affects the success of frozen embryo transfer. Endometrial lining should be free of any interfering fibroids or polyps to provide a healthy surrounding for embryo implantation.

Previously frozen embryos can be transferred during a woman’s natural cycle or in a controlled (artificial) cycle. The embryo transfer is done 5-7 days past ovulation/hCG injection. It depends on the day embryos are frozen – at a Day 3 or Day 5 stage. The transfer procedure begins with thawing the embryo at a room temperature and then warming to body temperature of 37° C. The embryos are very gently injected into the uterus using a special catheter, which is removed after the transfer. It doesn’t require anesthesia and is just done as Pap smear is done. Once the transfer is done, you have to take rest for 15 minutes and then you are able to go home. The doctor advises to do gentle daily activity.

A test to confirm pregnancy is conducted 14 days after the embryo transfer.

The doctors recommend to wait for one or two full menstrual cycles before you try after an unsuccessful attempt. The specialist may conduct some additional tests that could delay the next IVF cycle.

Previously, doctors used to transfer multiple embryos so you have more chances of fertility. It was due to the fact that then it was difficult to determine which embryo was viable. Thus, sometimes it led to multiple births. Presently, techniques like extended blastocyst culture and PGS/CCS don’t make it necessary to do so. Looking at potential health risks associated with multiple births, most fertility experts do not recommend implanting more than one embryo at a time. Viable embryos should be frozen for future use.

Fertility medications may have side effects such as headaches, mood swings abdominal pain, hot flashes, and bloating. It is very uncommon, but fertility medication may lead to ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome (OHSS), which can further have following effects:

• Nausea or vomiting
• Shortness of breath
• Decreased urinary frequency
• Feeling faint
• Substantial weight gain within three to five days
• Severe stomach pain and bloating

Possible side effects of IVF treatment may include:

• Passing a tiny amount of clear or blood-colored fluid after the procedure
• Mild bloating
• Mild cramping
• Breast tenderness
• Constipation

We recommend not to do intercourse until your pregnacy test after your embryo transfer. It is a two week wait. If you get pregnant, you can continue to have intercourse after baby’s heartbeat is detected, but make sure you are not experiencing any discomfort or bleeding.

According to one research, slightly more birth defects were found in IVF-conceived children when compared with the general population (4 - 5% vs. 3%). There is no concrete evidence that IVF is the actual reason behind it. So, it can be interpreted that the factors affecting birth defects are other than IVF treatment itself. Another study indicates that IVF-conceived children are academically sound and have good psychological health just like the general population.

Only mild exercise is acceptable during in-vitro fertilization. As the ovaries are enlarged from the fertility medicines, vigorous exercise can cause ovarian torsion (medical condition where ovaries can twist on them).

You should wait to colour your hair from mid-cycle till the end of two-week to confirm pregnancy.

No. It is imperative that during the monitoring phase of your treatment cycle you are available for multiple appointments to assess the growth of your follicles.