IVF (in vitro fertilization): what it is and how it happens

Often pregnancy does not occur due to abnormalities of the female reproductive organs or the sperm of the man. The cause may be obstruction of the fallopian tubes of a woman, violation of the process of ovulation, endometriosis or low quality sperm of the man. Despite these pathologies, pregnancy is possible thanks to in vitro fertilization. Let's consider how this procedure takes place.

What is in vitro fertilization

In vitro fertilization or IVF is the fertilization of an egg with a sperm cell in a specially equipped laboratory. The resulting embryo is transferred to the uterus of the woman who will carry the baby. This process consists of several stages.

Preparation for IVF

The procedure of artificial insemination requires not one woman's egg, but several. Then, if it is not possible to get an embryo from one egg, it can be done from those that are in reserve.

Preparation for IVF goes like this:

• In order for several eggs to be formed in one monthly cycle, a woman is given special injections in a period of 10 to 20 days in accordance with the protocol. The peculiarities of the patient's reproductive health are taken into account.
• The doctor monitors the reaction of the ovaries to the impact of injections.
• During this period, the woman undergoes three or four sessions of ultrasound examination.
• Based on the tests, the doctor determines how much estradiol is contained in the blood. This allows you to make sure that the follicles grow and develop in accordance with the norm.

When the follicles reach the necessary size and eggs are formed, follicle puncture is performed. The patient is under anesthesia. The process lasts about 15 minutes. In advance, 36 hours in advance, the patient receives an injection of chorionic gonadotropin. It enhances and accelerates the process of egg maturation. This happens in the same way as during the natural cycle.

How the eggs are fertilized

This procedure requires an egg and sperm cells. Two methods of fertilization are available:

• The traditional method involves placing the egg and sperm in a nutrient medium with a composition close to natural. The fertilization process takes place in the same way as in the woman's body.
• The ICSI method of artificial insemination differs in that a live sperm is injected into the egg. For this purpose, a special pipette is used.

Formation and transfer of embryos

In laboratory conditions, the development of all embryos that were obtained by artificial insemination of eggs is observed. They are divided into groups according to their ability to divide, development and other characteristics.

Those embryos with abnormalities are excluded. The most viable embryos are introduced into the uterine cavity of a woman, using a special elastic catheter. Anesthesia for this procedure is not required. The process is quick and painless.

Embryos of good quality that have not been used, if the patient wishes, can be vitrified. This is the process of freezing embryos in order to use them in the future. If IVF ever needs to be repeated, the ovaries will not have to be stimulated again and training will not be required. The stored embryos can be transferred into the uterus.