Every married couple sooner or later comes to the conclusion that they want to have a baby. If earlier women became mothers already at the age of 20-23, now this age is greatly increasing. Representatives of the weaker sex decide to have offspring after 30 years. However, things don't always go as planned at this point. This article will tell you about how IVF is done (in detail). You will learn the main steps of this procedure. It is also worth mentioning the indications and limitations of this manipulation.
What is this?
Before you find out how IVF is done (in stages), it is worth saying a few words about the manipulation itself. In vitro fertilization is a method of conceiving a child outside the female body. Babies born subsequently are called "test-tube babies." The procedure was first performed several decades ago. It took a lot of effort and expense.
Now in vitro fertilization is no longer somethingunnatural. You can do it for a fee or on a special quota. For this, a man and a woman must have certain indications.
When is IVF done?
There are many indications for this procedure. However, only some of them involve free manipulation. In this case, the couple is allocated a quota, and all expenses are covered by the state and the insurance company.
Tube factor
One of the most common reasons for in vitro fertilization is tubal infertility. In this case, a woman may not have a fallopian canal at all. More often it is a consequence of surgical interventions. Also, obstruction can be attributed to the tubal factor. Before IVF is done, such channels are removed.
Male infertility
Indication for in vitro fertilization will be poor-quality sperm partner. Find out the state of the material during the spermogram. In this case, the main factor will be that sperm reduces its quality in vivo (in the female genital organs).
Endometriosis
When is IVF done? One of the indications for manipulation is the growth of the endometrium outside the uterus. This pathology affects mainly women of reproductive age. In this case, treatment can be long and include surgical methods, as well as hormonal drugs. In the absence of a positive effect, experts advise not to delay, but to resort to the procedure of artificial insemination.
Age changes
Many womenare interested in the question of up to what age do IVF. In fact, there are no specific limits. Many couples, on the contrary, turn to assisted reproduction only because they cannot conceive a child on their own due to their age (usually after 40 years).
Ovulation problems
Every woman can have two or three anovulatory cycles during the year. This is not some kind of pathology. When less than 5-6 ovulations are carried out within 12 months, then this is already a deviation. Usually this problem is easily eliminated by hormonal drugs. However, if this method is ineffective, doctors advise IVF.
Contraindications to be aware of
Before IVF is done, a woman must be carefully examined. If any contraindications to manipulation are revealed, then it must be abandoned. These include the following situations:
- therapeutic and psychological pathologies incompatible with pregnancy;
- deformation of the uterine cavity, in which the attachment of embryos is unlikely;
- uterine and ovarian tumors that can grow with hormonal preparation;
- malignant diseases even in regression;
- inflammatory processes in the genitals of a woman or a man.
In each situation, the couple is considered individually. If contraindications are determined, then the specialist will definitely inform about this.
How is IVF done?
The fertilization process itself takesquite a long time. Depending on the length of the protocol, the couple may need from one to three months. During the procedure, a woman has to take many drugs. Some of them have unpleasant side effects.
The in vitro fertilization procedure consists of several stages. The doctor will definitely tell you about them at the first visit. Many couples are wondering: how quickly do IVF according to compulsory medical insurance? With a free procedure, spouses have to wait for a quota for some time. Usually this issue is resolved within a few months. When undergoing artificial insemination in a private clinic, you can start the protocol within a few weeks after applying.
Preparation and analysis
Before IVF is done, a woman must be examined. Her partner must also pass certain tests. Standard tests are tests for hepatitis, HIV, syphilis. A man must pass a spermogram. It determines by what method artificial insemination will be carried out.
Also, the representative of the weaker sex must visit some doctors. This is a neurologist, cardiologist, ophthalmologist, therapist. A conversation is being held with a psychologist.
Prescribing drugs: choosing a protocol
Before IVF is done, experts determine the length of the protocol. It may be short. In this case, stimulation begins immediately after the next menstruation. A woman is prescribed hormonal drugs, which she must take daily according to strictscheme. Often the drugs are in the form of injections. Medicines can be administered in a hospital or self-administered. The doctor will definitely tell you all the subtleties of the manipulations.
With a long protocol, before the start of stimulation, the woman is introduced into the so-called menopause. This is often done in the presence of hormonal pathologies, including endometriosis. After a break that lasts from two weeks to a month, stimulation begins. Further actions will be the same in both protocols.
Follicle growth tracking
So how is IVF done? In the process of taking hormonal drugs, a woman must definitely visit the ultrasound diagnostic room. Usually such a study is scheduled for the 5th, 9th and 12th day. However, if necessary, the doctor may recommend additional days. During an ultrasound, a specialist evaluates the growth of follicles and the condition of the uterus with the endometrium. The reproductive organ should be as ready as possible to receive the embryo.
At the last study, the date and time of the puncture is assigned. At this stage, stimulation ends.
Egg selection
We continue to explore the topic of how the IVF procedure is done. For a puncture, a woman must be placed in a hospital. Here she is given a separate place and all the conditions. The puncture can be made through the abdominal wall or by the vaginal method. The second option is chosen more often. It is considered more natural and less traumatic.
A single-use sharp needle pierces the back wall of the vagina and, under the control of an ultrasonic sensor, is brought toovary. I must say that the doctor must be extremely careful so that there are no complications. After egg collection, the patient must remain under close medical supervision for at least two hours. During this period, the woman's condition is monitored and intra-abdominal bleeding is excluded.
Fertilization
You already know that before IVF is done, a man's sperm must be examined. The course of the next stage will depend on the quality of the seminal fluid. At normal rates, normal fertilization is performed. The required amount of sperm is simply combined with the selected eggs.
If there are pathologies of spermatozoa or there are very few of them, then they resort to the ICSI method. In this situation, embryologists select the best and highest quality spermatozoa, and then combine them with eggs.
In vitro cultivation of embryos
After fertilization, each zygote is placed in a separate container. There, conditions are created that are as close as possible to those that are in the body of a woman. It is worth noting that at this stage (immediately after the extraction of the follicles), the woman continues to take hormonal drugs. Usually these are drugs based on progesterone. They help maintain the corpus luteum and prepare the uterus for pregnancy as much as possible.
Embryo cultivation period may vary. Usually it is from 2 to 5 days. Many blanks die already on the third day. Only the strongest survive. Reproductologists are trying to bring the embryos to the point where theywill be from 4 to 8 cells. After that, they proceed to the next stage.
Cell transfer
If you are interested in how IVF is done, the photo of the procedure is presented to your attention. Embryo transfer is carried out within the walls of the hospital. This does not require anesthesia. The woman is located on the gynecological chair. A thin silicone tube is inserted into the cervical canal. Through it, the embryos move into the cavity of the genital organ.
In recent years, experts try not to transfer more than two embryos. However, according to some indications, this number can be increased. Note that in this case a special contract is concluded that informs the patient of her rights and obligations. If viable embryos remain after the transfer, they can be frozen. You can use them at any time. Such a procedure does not affect the quality and genetic condition.
Waiting
Perhaps the most exciting and painful moment is two weeks after the transfer. It is after this period that the outcome of the procedure will be determined. All this time, the woman receives progesterone and human chorionic gonadotropin.
You can find out about the result 10-14 days after transplantation. The patient is offered to take a blood test to determine the amount of chorionic gonadotropin. It is this hormone that is released during pregnancy, increasing in quantity every day.
Result of manipulation
If the amount of human chorionic gonadotropin increases, then this indicates pregnancy. After reaching the mark of 1000 IU, it is necessary to do an ultrasound examination. It will show the number of attached embryos. If there are more than two fetal eggs in the uterus, a woman is offered to use a procedure called reduction. During it, the doctor removes excess embryos. It is worth noting that this manipulation is very dangerous. It can lead to miscarriage or miscarriage. Therefore, many couples refuse it. However, carrying more than two babies at once is also unwise. After all, premature birth may begin or pathologies of the development of babies can be detected. In any case, the final decision remains with the couple.
If the result was disappointing and pregnancy did not occur, the woman should stop taking all drugs. In this case, the first question that interests patients is formulated as follows: how often is IVF done? Most couples want to try to become parents again as soon as possible. However, doctors do not advise to rush. In the process of preparing for artificial insemination, the woman's body endures the strongest loads. He needs time to recover. Reproductologists usually recommend refraining from trying to conceive for up to six months. Also, the couple is assigned additional examinations that can find out the reason for the failure.
Final stage of the procedure
How IVF is done - described in detail in this article. If the procedure ended positively, then the woman is offered to register at the place of residence. In some cases, the clinic takes overresponsibility for the management of pregnancy until a certain period. This is usually required for multiple pregnancies.
Hormonal support is provided up to 15-20 weeks. After that, all drugs are gradually canceled. At this time, the placenta, which supplies the fetus with everything it needs, is already formed and working in full force.
Delivery: what determines the choice of method
You already know how IVF is done. The procedure is quite complicated and requires the patient to follow all the rules. You can talk about the successful outcome of the manipulation after the birth of the child. Often, this issue is de alt with by specialists from the same clinic where artificial insemination was performed.
With a normal pregnancy and no contraindications, a woman can give birth on her own. Natural childbirth is welcome in singleton pregnancies. If there are two or more babies, then doctors insist on a caesarean section. In this case, you will be sure that the kids will not get a birth injury when passing through the birth canal, which often happens with multiple pregnancies. Doctors will help the children in time.
Results
From the article you learned how the procedure of in vitro fertilization is carried out. If you are interested in additional details, please contact a specialist. The doctor will tell you how and what you need to do for a positive outcome. In each individual case, separate recommendations are possible.
An important role in this process is played by the mood of the couple. Think goodeat right, spend more time outdoors. Follow all specialist instructions. Have a good result!
