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What is IVF? What is the procedure involved in IVF?

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A STEP-BY-STEP GUIDE TO THE IVF PROCEDURE

Many people might have heard about In Vitro Fertilization, which is popularly abbreviated as IVF. They know that it is an assisted reproduction procedure and helps such couples who are unable to become parents naturally. However, not many of them are acquainted with exactly what the IVF process is? Which medicines are employed during the treatment? And so on! Well, the answer to the first question lies in the guide that’s gonna be discussed shortly covering everything about IVF. And as far as the medicines are concerned, Menopur, Lupron Depot, Bravelle, Follistim, and Gonal-F-to name a few are some of the common ones.

What is the procedure involved in IVF?

Fundamentally, IVF is the process in which human fertilization takes the shape outside the body, and most probably in a laboratory. Here, the development of the embryo takes place that gets all set to be placed in the mother’s uterus at a later stage.

Delving a bit deeper; when we say “in vitro” it essentially means an activity being executed outside of a living organism. On the flip side, “in vivo” means taking place inside of a living organism. Primarily, the technique involved the incorporation of sperm and egg together in a dish and holding horses till successful fertilization takes place.

Here is a step-by-step guide that will allow you to better comprehend the IVF process:

  • The treatment commences by paying a visit at the center of a therapist. Further, the professional is likely to perform certain blood tests to quantify baseline fertility. What’s more, the therapist will also conduct a vaginal ultrasound to ascertain the condition of the ovaries.
  • As far as the male is concerned, a semen analysis will be performed. He might even be asked to come at a later stage to give a sperm sample.
  • Next, the female partner will be asked to undergo diagnostic testing to make sure that she is in the best position to reap the many benefits of IVF. It may include evaluations like a saline sonogram (for checking uterus abnormalities) and a hysterosalpingogram (checks the status of fallopian tubes).
  • If the therapist can find contingencies like polyps, fibroids, or blocked tubes-for instance, the female partner might need reproductive surgery. For your enlightenment; it can either be performed before or after the IVF cycle.
  • Similarly, if the male partner has very little or no sperm, he may require Testicular Sperm Extraction (TESE) before going ahead with the IVF cycle. To throw light; it is a surgery that is performed in order to obtain sperm directly from the testicles.
  • Once both partners are given a green signal to proceed to IVF, the woman will begin ovarian stimulation for her to produce more than the usual one egg per month. This can be accomplished by the bracing of hormone injections that have to be given for about 10 days. Luckily, these injections can be self-administered at the convenience of your home.
  • Meanwhile, the female partner has to visit the clinic for several days to get the ultrasounds done. The ultimate objective is to ensure that the ovarian stimulation is proceeding in the right direction.
  • Once the follicles are all geared up for harvesting, a final “trigger shot” injection will be given. The focus is to get the eggs released within 24-36 hours. During this time, she will have her egg retrieval procedure under the guidance of a therapist.
  • It is imperative to highlight that egg retrieval is not a convoluted process but a simpler one. By using lighter sedatives, it is carried forward in an operating room. Additionally, each of the ovarian follicles is punctured and the fluid constituting the eggs is aspirated with the assistance of a fine needle. Further, the embryologist counts the number of mature eggs, which are sent to the laboratory for fertilization.
  • The usual procedure involves the fertilization through the injection known by the moniker Intracytoplasmic Sperm Injection (ICSI), during which the male sperm is perforated into each egg. A similar procedure is carried on all the eggs so that multiple embryos can be made.
  • After all the eggs are successfully injected, the embryologist will wait for the duration of 5-7 days. Fundamentally, the wait is for the eggs to morph into the blastocysts-a stage of embryo development. The genetically normal blastocysts are chosen.
  • Following the completion of a retrieval cycle, the woman is asked to take an additional month of hormonal treatment to prepare for a frozen-thawed embryo transfer. During this stage, one embryo is transferred to the uterus. And the remaining ones are stored and can be utilized at a later stage.
  • The good part is that the transfer performed with the aid of a catheter is fast and most importantly-painless. If things move ahead smoothly, the embryo will be planted and the pregnancy test will be performed within 7-10 days to confirm the exact state.

Which medicines are endorsed during IVF?

Whilst it will primarily be decided by the therapist the medicines that need to be given, the following are the most common ones:

  • Oral contraceptives 

Oral contraceptives are recommended to regulate and control the woman’s cycle.

  • Downregulation drugs (Cetrotide, Buserelin)

Several down regulation drugs are given so that the other medicines for successful follicle growth can work consummately. These medications can be readily self-administered daily through injections.

  • Follicle Stimulating Hormones/Gonadotropins

For stimulating follicle growth, medications like Menopur, Bemfola, Meriofert, and Gonal-F-for instance are usually given. Once again, these are subcutaneously taken under the skin.

  • Medicines like Lupron Depot are suggested for preventing premature ovulation

As part of the down-regulation protocol, medicines such as Lupron Depot are given. Its ultimate intent is to prevent premature ovulation during the ovarian stimulation process. 

  • HCG (such as Gonasi, Pregnyl, Ovitrelle)

These medications such as Gonasi, Pregnyl, and Ovitrelle are used for triggering purposes so that the eggs go into their final stage of maturation and after which fertilization becomes possible. 

So, IVF is not as bad or risky as we thought. Proper steps and medications can help you achieve the best results. TownDrugStore is the best place to get all IVF medicines online with proper testing. Stay Happy & Healthy 🙂

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