IVF Process
The information given below will give you some insight into how to raise the IVF pregnancy success rate.
Gaining information about the entire IVF process is crucial for any intended parent. Every childless couple or prospective intended single parent should know what they are getting into. Information regarding fertility treatments is not as widely available as information about other healthcare disciplines. Lack of awareness makes things even more challenging for couples affected by infertility, as they usually suffer in silence.
What is Infertility?
Infertility refers to a couple’s inability to become pregnant even after a year of unprotected sexual intercourse, in the absence of any birth control methods.
Infertility Treatment
Any medical method performed to help a couple have their own child can be referred to as infertility treatment. Treatment can encompass a wide array of methods including something as basic as having regular sexual intercourse during the right time of any given month. More sophisticated approaches include in-vitro fertilization (IVF). The meaning and definition of IVF are to facilitate outside-the-body fertilization in a petri dish, followed by putting the embryos back into the uterus of the participating female.
In In-Vitro Fertilization (IVF-ICSI) is now a highly preferred infertility treatment method for countless intended parents who want to make their dreams of parenthood come true. IVF is a mode of assisted reproductive technology (ART), which enables infertile couples to attempt to have their own biological child.
The process of in vitro fertilization (IVF) involves creating a mixture of a woman’s eggs with male sperm within a controlled laboratory environment, followed by the transfer of the resulting embryos to the uterus of a woman.
At IVF Centre Hyderabad, we recommend IVF treatment to people who fall within the categories of – male factor infertility
- Absent or compromised fallopian tubes
- Endometriosis
- Unexplained infertility
- Recurrent Intrauterine Insemination Failure
- Pelvic and tubal adhesions
- PGD or Pre-implantation Genetic Diagnosis
IVF-ICSI – ICSI, which stands for Intracytoplasmic Sperm Injection is a method where a live sperm gets injected into one human female egg.
The IVF-ICSI technique enables fertilization for partnered men and women who are suffering from extreme male factor infertility or couples who have previously had a failed in vitro fertilization attempt. IVF-ICSI is now one of the most practical options for couples affected by male-factor infertility issues, including low sperm count, sub-optimal sperm motility, low count of sperms, and morphology issues. ICSI also enables enhancing the probability of success for the treatment of unexpected infertility. ICSI fertilization rates generally work 75% of the time, which is the same as a normal semen sample. IVF and IVF-ICSI have the same success rate, but the medical community at large believes that the success rate may be higher with ICSI. You can speak with our consultants to get a better idea about which treatment you should opt for. A probable reason for ICSI showing greater success may be the higher number of fertilized embryos produced by the technique.
Cost-effective IVF Consultancy Services
As experienced consultants and fertility experts, we are upfront with our clients about the fact that having IVF babies is not an easy process. There is no guarantee even though the cost of IVF is high. Many couples do find it difficult to handle the financial and emotional aspects of the IVF process and its outcome.
A great number of infertile couples across the globe face the same challenge due to IVF being expensive. However, our associations with reputed Indian and international IVF service providers helps our clients gain access to quality yet affordable IVF treatment.
Third-party reproductive services such as Egg donation and surrogacy may be required for some couples to raise their chances of successful fertilization. Choosing a third-party method raises the costs due to both IVF egg donation and IVF surrogacy being necessary.
At IVF Centre Hyderabad, we prioritize allowing couples and single intended parents the opportunity to avail of cost-effective IVF services domestically. It is a more feasible option for many intended parents who would find it difficult to handle treatment costs in other countries.
IVF Process- Step-by-Step Guide
An IVF treatment cycle consists of multiple steps that have to be executed during a specific window of a female partner’s menses cycle. Timing is crucial to raise the chances of a successful pregnancy even if the treatment does not offer a 100% guarantee. Women undergoing IVF treatment require the guidance and expertise of experienced fertility doctors for accurate diagnosis and following the right treatment modality.
IVF Treatment Cycle Steps
The IVF treatment cycle generally has the steps given below –
Step 1. Inhibiting a woman’s natural monthly hormone cycle
The first IVF process step is applying a drug to suppress a woman’s natural monthly hormonal cycle. This treatment is generally performed through a daily self-administered injection or a nasal spray method. It can last for almost two weeks.
Step 2. Increasing egg count
A woman participating in IVF treatment is given a hormone named FSH (or Follicle Stimulating Hormone) after the natural cycle has been suppressed. A daily injection has to be given to her for 10 – 12 days. It increases the number of eggs that can be produced, resulting in more eggs being available for fertilization with semen and a greater number of embryos for implantation. A clinic generally has more embryos to select from while the treatment is ongoing due to a larger number of fertilized eggs.
Step 3. Progress monitoring
A fertility clinic monitors the progress of an IVF process through all drug treatment stages. Blood tests and vaginal ultrasound scans are utilized for evaluating the progress. A hormone trigger is utilized roughly around 34 to 36 hours before the eggs are to be collected. The retrieval process starts after that.
Step 4. Eggs/Semen sample collection
During an IVF process eggs are retrieved by administering local anesthesia and ultrasound guidance. A needle gets inserted into each of the woman’s ovaries via a scanning probe, and the eggs get picked up. Some participants undergoing treatment can experience minor vaginal bleeding and cramping after the process.
Collecting sperm
The partner of a woman who is participating in egg collections has to provide a fresh sperm sample during her treatment phase. The sample is stored briefly, following which the sperms get washed and are spun. This process is a necessary one to pick the most active and healthy sperm. Donated sperm (from someone other than the partner) is removed from frozen storage, thawed, and prepared for use.
Step 5. Fertilizing eggs with sperms
During this stage, the eggs of a woman undergoing IVF are mixed with her partner’s sperm or a donor’s sperm. Then the mixture is cultured for a duration of about 16 to 20 hours, after which the eggs are evaluated to detect fertilization. Fertilized eggs are grown within an incubator for a few days and further evaluated. A fertility professional may perform manually assisted fertilization or ICSI (Intracytoplasmic Sperm Injection). In this method, a single live sperm is injected into a single egg, and it is particularly useful when a couple is affected by a severe case of male factor infertility. The technique is also utilized for couples that have already undergone failed in vitro fertilization processes. IVF-ICSI is among the most widely recommended options for couples that are affected severely by male infertility, due to issues such as low live sperm count, low sperm count, morphology, and sub-optimal sperm motility.
Step 6. Transferring Embryo
Following fertilization, few of the best embryos are selected for transferring through a thin catheter placed within the female’s uterus. This process is known as embryo transfer. It does not need anesthesia and is quite simple. Embryo numbers are limited during this stage due to the many risks associated with multiple births. The additional embryos can be preserved by freezing for future IVF attempts. Blastocyst transfer may also be undertaken by some clinics, through which fertilized eggs can be left to mature for up to six days before a transfer.
Step 7. Embryos Transfer Follow-up
Following embryo transfer, a recipient has to rest for two days and avoid any physically taxing activities. The female partner undergoing IVF has to continually take progesterone supplements after her implantation process. Approximately two weeks after embryo transfer, pregnancy is confirmed through blood tests.
Step 8. Follow-up stage
After the confirmation of pregnancy through blood testing, an IVF participant female receives continuous hormone support for about 10 to 12 weeks. Natural pregnancy follows the treatment and if it does not, alternative methods can be offered to the participant. A frozen embryo transfer (FET) process can be incorporated if frozen embryos have been stored before. The process has to be performed again for participants who do not possess frozen embryos. A doctor can suggest an IVF donor for a treatment participant who has undergone multiple failed IVF cycles.
The surrogacy methods may vary based on one’s unique situation. As reputed IVF and surrogacy consultants, we understand that you ultimately have to make the right decision. Our professionals are ready to assist you with all aspects of IVF, IVF-ICSI, and surrogacy. It is our objective to help you reach your goal of parenthood.
Egg donor IVF may be suggested by a fertility doctor for couples who have gone through multiple unsuccessful IVF attempts.
ART-Related IVF Process Terms
Frozen Embryos Transfer
Frozen embryo transfer (EFT) refers to a process where frozen embryos are transferred into a woman’s uterus, instead of fresh embryos.
Frozen Embryos Transfer (EFT) Eligibility
EFT can be applied for by –
- Couples who are using donated embryos
- Couples who have extra good quality frozen embryos for future use after an IVF cycle.
- Couples where the female partner lacks the lining needed for an embryo transfer, for which the doctor may freeze embryos to be used in later months.
New technology facilitates the freezing and storage of quality embryos on day 3 (blastocyst stage) using several sophisticated freezing techniques. Embryos are now frozen using a technique named vitrification, which involves fast freezing for preventing the formation of ice crystals on embryo cells. The speed of the freezing process directly influences the effectiveness of the frozen embryo transfer and higher speeds lead to a higher probability of achieving pregnancy.
IVF service providers can store a frozen embryo for years. The chance of pregnancy with this type of embryo is lower but many pregnancies have been achieved with it. As leading IVF and surrogacy consultants, we can connect you to clinics that boost your chances of success with both frozen and fresh embryo transfers.
Blastocyst
Transfer During the second to third days of the embryo transfer stage, embryos get placed within the uterus of the female partner. Most fertility clinics follow this process. The blastocyst embryo transfer is a method where embryos can be cultivated for up to five days in a laboratory environment. By day five, the embryo reaches a stage where it contains 120-150 cells and is known as a blastocyst.
Blastocyst Transfer Benefits
A blastocyst can sharply cut down the multiple birth chances. This is because a few good-quality embryos, which have survived to that Day 5 mark are selected for transfer. Most reputed fertility clinics now offer IVF treatment with blastocyst transfer to drive up pregnancy success rates. A Blastocyst can remain up to 5 days within the laboratory and has a high probability of success. It can be a better option for many couples.
Embryo Donations
Embryo Donation and Embryo Adoption are similar concepts, and sometimes the terms are used interchangeably. Embryo donation, sometimes also referred to as embryo adoption, is an important aspect of IVF services. It is the process of giving and getting embryos generated during the In Vitro Fertilization (IVF) cycle. After the completion of a successful IVF phase, the embryos can be frozen for future use. The embryos can also be donated for scientific research or to potential intended parents.
Intended parents do not have any genetic link with the person donating the embryos, and the female partner is only a gestational carrier.
Some couples want egg and sperm donors of their choice for creating embryos before embryos are transferred to the female partner.
Male Infertility
Male infertility is a very common issue nowadays, and not all fertility problems are related to women. We have observed a trend of rising male fertility issues in recent times. One out of five couples fail to achieve pregnancy due to male fertility problems.
Male infertility is being caused by issues such as stress and sedentary living. However, we can assure our clients that their male infertility issues will be diagnosed and addressed precisely.
The first step for assessing male infertility is a sperm analysis. It is a test for indicating the amount and quality of sperm to a fertility professional.
Male-related fertility issues
Low sperm motility, low sperm counts, morphology issues, absence of sperm or genetic disorders are all contributing factors for male-related fertility problems.
Low sperm count
Low sperm count can be a result of issues such as excessive stress and a generally unhealthy lifestyle. IVF-ICSI, which is an ART treatment, enables the fertilization of eggs with just a few good sperms. Participants may be advised to take supplements and medicines before the IVF process can start.
Sperm motility
Low sperm motility is an issue that affects fertilization and IVF is a remedial method for getting past male fertility problems.
Sperm morphology
Sperm morphology is a factor associated with abnormal sperm shape of either the head or the tail. Sperms that have abnormal appearances can be observed through a microscope and their genetic makeup can then be analyzed. The chance of miscarriages and unsuccessful conceptions are high with these sperms. Sperms having morphology issues are also susceptible to DNA fragmentation.
Seminal fluid
The thickness of seminal fluid can be a reason for infertility. Sperms find it challenging to traverse through seminal liquid and pregnancy is unsuccessful. ART treatments can be used for fixing this condition.
Hormonal Imbalance
An imbalance of male hormones can also stop conceptions. Fertility specialists can perform certain tests to check for hormonal imbalance in a male. Further steps can be taken to correct the problem with medication.
Ejaculation Issues
A male might be suffering from ejaculation issues which results in them not being able to perform successful seminal ejaculation. Ejaculation issues can a result of blocked tubes or structural issues related to a man’s reproductive organ. A method called PESA can be utilized in such cases where fertility specialists retrieve sperm samples through surgery.
Unexplained Infertility
Unexplained infertility occurs when both partners in a heterosexual relationship are infertile, but tests do not indicate what the exact problems are. This is one of the most unfortunate types of infertility that couples trying to conceive can face and it is natural to feel helpless. Couples suffering from unexplained infertility may be advised to undergo genetic screening to detect any possible genetic embryo defects which can inhibit implantation or successful growth of a fetus.
Surgical sperm retrieval
A male partner may be unable to ejaculate sperm due to blocked tested tubes or other health conditions that inhibit the release of sperms. In such situations, surgical intervention is required for extracting sperms from the male. The procedure is known as Surgical Sperm Retrieval.
Certain types of surgical interventions are needed for retrieving sperms from the testicles of males before IVF through intracytoplasmic sperm injection.
Methods for Removing Sperms
TESA (Testicular Sperm Aspiration)
TESA is a process involving the placing of an attached needle to a syringe through scrotum skin and sucking out the sperm fluid through one’s testicle.
PESA (Percutaneous Epididymal Sperm Aspiration)
PESA is a method that uses a needle and a syringe. A needle is directed into the epididymis with this process.
Perc biopsy (Percutaneous biopsy of the testis)
Perc biopsy is a similar method to TESA but is performed with a larger needle. A 14 gauge needle is utilized for performing a biopsy of testicular tissue. This method helps to extract a significant amount of sperms.
MESA (Microsurgical Epididymal Sperm Aspiration)
MESA refers to an open surgery-based sperm retrieval process involving an operating microscope for precise locating of epididymis tubules to ensure the extraction of a high quantity of sperms.
Male Partner Fertility Treatment Options
IUI (Intrauterine insemination)
IUI is a fertility treatment that works by placing sperms within the uterus of a woman for facilitating fertilization. The method aims to raise the number of sperms that can make their way into a woman’s fallopian tubes to enhance the scope for fertilization. It is the first step of infertility treatment. A fertility specialist may suggest that a participant opts for an IVF process if 3 rounds of IUI do not yield any success.
IVF (In Vitro Fertilization)
IVF refers to the method of manually fertilizing eggs and sperms in a laboratory dish, followed by the embryo being transferred into a female partner’s uterus. IVF can prove to be effective for couples who are dealing with issues like bad quality sperms or a low number of sperms.
ICSI (Intracytoplasmic Sperm Injection)
ICSI is fundamentally an advanced type of IVF treatment for treating severe male-factor infertility cases. It is performed by injecting a single quality sperm into a mature egg manually for initiating fertilization. ICSI is preferred as it can facilitate fertilization with multiple eggs, compared to IVF where the embryo may be less fertilized.
Sperm Donor
A fertility specialist may recommend the use of a sperm donor for treating cases of severe male infertility. The donor, in this case, is usually a healthy young man who is capable of fertilizing a female’s eggs for raising the probability of pregnancy.
Avail IVF Process Consultation
Our consultants and fertility experts can help you get a better idea about different IVF and surrogacy methods and their possible outcomes. Our relationships with some of the most distinguished IVF service providers around the world help us boost your chances of a successful pregnancy.