Modern life dictates dynamic development, and the flourishing of the industry invariably entails losses in the natural balance of man and nature. Increasingly, situations arise when a married couple cannot conceive a baby only by joint efforts. Sometimes the diagnosis of one of the spouses sounds like a sentence, but even the absolute he alth of the partners does not guarantee that the union will be rewarded with a long-awaited child.
When IVF is indicated
In vitro fertilization (IVF) is appointed no earlier than the examinations carried out confirm the impossibility of conception. Attempts to treat infertility are often delayed for many years, but the unproductive duration of the process can only reduce the likelihood of a favorable outcome. Seeing the ineffectiveness of the measures taken, a married couple has the right to insist on an IVF procedure two years after the start of treatment.
How the embryo develops
After fertilization, the egg is placed in a comfortable liquid environment, approximatecharacteristics to natural maternal. The transformation of an ordinary egg into a zygote, that is, a single-celled embryo, does not yet complete the process. Before embryo replanting during IVF, repeated cell division must occur under the constant supervision of an embryologist, who marks each new stage in the development of the body.
Starting from the second day from the fertilization of the cell, the doctor can already give a report on the compliance of the embryo with the parameters of the norm. Sometimes, if it is weak but viable, it is allowed to grow in an artificial environment until the formation of a blastocyst (this happens on the 6th day), and only then is it introduced into the uterine cavity. Such reinsurance is justified by reducing the risk for the mother, as it excludes the formation of several fetuses in the womb, and therefore minimizes the burden on the body.
With normal cell division, the allowable holding period for embryos is three days. After that, some of them, but no more than two, are transferred to the patient's body, and the strongest specimens of the remaining ones are frozen in liquid nitrogen. But how does IVF embryo transfer work?
Preparing a woman for an embryo transfer procedure
Already making the decision to become a mother in a difficult way of replanting an embryo during IVF, serves as a sufficient reason for a woman to reconsider her diet and daily routine. It is from the he althy immunity and strong nervous system of the expectant mother that the success of the procedure depends.
A few weeks before the date of egg retrieval, a woman is shown a protein diet witha minimum amount of fat and a complete exclusion from the menu of sweet flour, as well as dishes containing soy protein and genetically modified elements. It is recommended to drink more pure water, natural fresh juices without artificial additives. From fruits, it is better to give preference to fresh pineapples (if there is no allergy).
Immediately on the day of implantation of the embryo into the uterus during IVF, it is desirable to stimulate blood circulation in the pelvic organs, for which doctors advise spouses to have sexual intercourse and only then, after the woman has completed hygiene procedures, get ready for implantation.
Two hours before the scheduled replanting time, the woman should take a Piroxicam tablet. Going for IVF, it is better to calm down, remember that the technology of embryo replanting during IVF is painless and not traumatic.
Embryo transfer procedure
A woman does not see how the embryo is prepared for transfer, so she may not know that the shell of the embryo is deliberately damaged before implantation to facilitate the release of the egg. The procedure is called "hatching" and it is mandatory.
So, how does IVF embryo transfer work? After talking with the doctor, the woman takes a comfortable position on the gynecological chair. At the same time, it is better for her to relax and close her eyes, and not to worry, watching how the embryo transfer is done. In IVF, the patient's willingness to remain calm is of great importance. A catheter that a doctor inserts into the cervix, guided by ultrasound observation, does not cause seriousdiscomfort if the pelvic muscles are relaxed and immobile.
Judging by the numerous women's reviews, the transfer of embryos during IVF takes place, as was indicated in the preliminary conversations: painlessly and in an atmosphere of careful attitude of the staff. After removing the catheter, the patient is asked to lie down on the couch on her back and spend a little less than an hour in this position. During this time, the embryologist will examine the viable embryos remaining in the catheter tube and, if the patient agrees, send them to cryogenic freezing.
What is cryopreservation
With the prior consent of the couple, from among the fertilized cells, only strong and hardy specimens are selected, those that will be able to survive under the stressful conditions of subsequent defrosting. The more embryos that are cryopreserved, the more likely a woman will be to restart IVF at her next attempt, which may be years later.
Freezing of germ cells occurs at extremely low levels of mercury column, strictly -1960С. Since the treatment with liquid nitrogen and the subsequent rehabilitation of the embryo is a kind of hard hardening in the conditions of an uncompromising struggle for life, it is often more successful for a woman to re-inject embryos during IVF using thawed cells.
Adaptation after replanting
Starting from the moment a woman leaves the doctor's office, the most important thing for her isthe next three days becomes calm. The mode after replanting IVF embryos within 72 hours provides for the practical immobilization of the patient. Even with a rare rise in the toilet room, the physical support of the husband is desirable in order to minimize the flow of blood to the pelvis. Water procedures on the first day are contraindicated!
The diet is discussed with the doctor beforehand, but if the woman is he althy and has no special prescriptions, then after embryo replanting during IVF, you can eat everything that was before, but with an emphasis on natural products, and, of course, without including coffee in the diet, fatty or large amounts of starchy foods.
After three days of lying down, the stage of moderate activity begins. Without sudden movements, a woman can carefully perform elementary household chores, walk on the street, avoiding any experiences. At this stage, it is important to drink plenty of pure still water.
Control
In the first days after embryo transfer, a woman often faces the problem of fever, but if you remember the essence of the intervention in the body, the reaction of the immune system will become clear. The thermometer should not be lowered if the mercury column does not rise above 37.60. It is necessary to let the body “learn” new information on its own and come to terms with the fact. In the next visit to the doctor, such a phenomenon is recorded and analyzed.
You need to carefully consider the prescribed injections. There will be three drugs in total (with standard prescription): two injections of Utrozhestan on the night afterprocedures, one injection of Progesterone in the morning and only five injections (according to the schedule) of Fragmin, which is responsible for normal blood circulation in the pelvic organs. Fragmin may be excluded from this list if, according to the results of the coagulogram, the patient's blood clotting does not deviate from the norm.
Behavior of the body as a consequence of the IVF procedure
The panic of women when they encounter phenomena after a puncture, which seem incomprehensible to them, is due to low information content. Below is a list of such phenomena, as well as options for the correct response to them:
- Drawing, obsessive pain in the lower abdomen after the procedure, as during menstruation, is the absolute norm. Nothing else should be taken.
- Vaginal discharge in the form of a pinkish liquid on the 6-12th day after the embryo transfer is an expected and desired phenomenon, indicating that the implant has fixed on the uterine wall. It is normal if bleeding of this kind lasts no more than 4 hours. The doctor must be informed of the situation and conduct an examination in order to correctly assess the patient's condition.
- Excessive bleeding or discharge of a thick color indicates an unsuccessful transplant and the need for urgent hospitalization. In rare cases, urgent action can save a pregnancy.
Exactly two weeks after the puncture, a test for human chorionic gonadotropin (HCG) is performed. The results are issued on the same day, and the woman can congratulate herself if the concentration of this important hormone is increased. Sometimes the hCG test requires a repeat after 72 hours; suchcontrol is due to the presence of a weak concentration.
Seven days after donating blood for the hormone (if the answer is positive), an ultrasound is performed, stating the onset of pregnancy. After another 14 days, the second is appointed - to assess the development of a fixed fetus.
If hCG is negative, IVF maintenance medications are discontinued.
Critical days, which should go on the 5-7th day, serve as a certain indicator of a failed boost attempt.
What can affect the outcome of boosting
Fibroids are a frequent factor complicating the attachment of the embryo to the uterine wall. The replanting of 1 IVF embryo in this situation is carried out in such a way that the zygote is not near the tumor, which tends to grow. Other important conditions for the favorable survival of the embryo in the mother's body are the right time (usually on the 20th day of the cycle) and the optimal maturity of the fertilized cell. If other terms are set by doctors, you should take it calmly, since the body does not always work with the accuracy of the clock, and the nuances that take into account the individuality of a woman can determine a good outcome.
But even in the case of a negative test, you should not assume that the joy of motherhood is not for you - the real percentage of success after the first attempt rarely exceeds 45%. It may be necessary to slightly change the diet or give up bad habits, if this has not been done before, and be sure to try again usinggerm cells after cryopreservation.
