IVF treatment involves the collection of eggs and sperms and fertilization takes place in a special laboratory. The treatment cycle is based on the monthly menstrual cycle and the fertilized embryo is transferred to the uterus during this cycle. Embryo transfer usually occurs 4-5 days after the egg retrieval and it is a simple procedure that only takes less than half an hour. Your fertility specialist will discuss with you about your chances of getting pregnant in one cycle and factors affecting the chances of success.
With the advancement of technology, instead of many injections that were given intramuscularly, only a few little injections are given under the skin (subcutaneous). These are barely painful. The only procedure that could be considered minor surgery in the IVF process is the retrieval of the eggs from the ovary. It is carried out under anesthesia and you will not feel any pain. In pain or discomfort terms, an embryo transfer is often compared to a PAP smear. The slight pain is temporary and will lessen in an hour or two.
At the beginning of the treatment, you will receive ovulation stimulation injections for the body to produce more mature eggs for retrieval. Typically, you will receive injections for 8 to 10 days. For most people, these injections are mildly painful and any slight discomfort is over within a few seconds.
Till date, millions of babies have been born across the globe with IVF treatment and many studies have been carried out to understand the birth defects in children conceived through IVF. There is no direct connection between IVF and birth defects. Additionally, the preimplantation genetic screening (PGS) can be used to identify the genetically abnormal IVF embryos and can help to select only healthy embryos to implant in the intended mother’s uterus.
In the IVF process, the eggs and sperms are collected and fertilization takes place in a test tube, in other words, outside the human body. Hence the babies are called test-tube babies.
Preimplantation genetic diagnosis (PGD) enables the identification of genetic diseases in the embryo and this method can also be used for preimplantation sex selection. In India, however, using assisted reproductive technology to pre-select a baby’s gender is illegal and IVF can only be used for checking for genetic abnormalities in the fetus.
There is no direct evidence that fertility drugs have any role in increasing a mother’s risk of invasive ovarian, breast, or uterine cancer. In general, drugs and anesthetics given during IVF are relatively safe and have minimal, temporary side effects that can be managed.
Considering the age of mother and other factors, many couples get pregnant in the first attempt of IVF. You can discuss factors affecting your own fertility and your chances of getting pregnant in the first attempt with your fertility specialist.
Because fertility treatment varies for each individual and number of cycles/rounds required to depend upon factors such as the age of mother, medical history, etc. Some couples get pregnant in the first cycle itself while on average it takes two to three cycles to achieve pregnancy.
Hydration is important and especially when you are trying to conceive. Adequate water intake helps the circulatory system, aids weight loss and some studies suggest it improves the health of the egg. Water intake also helps to manage the side effects of fertility drugs.
Researchers have discovered that women's chances of becoming pregnant with IVF treatment are twice as high in the summer. They even claim that women needed fewer drugs to help them ovulate during the summer months. Vitamin D stimulates fertility and in summer seasons plenty of sunlight helps produce a better quality of ova and high-quality embryos. Thus, the summer season (Mar-May) is the best for IVF.
Maintaining a healthy weight and balanced diet can improve your chances of becoming pregnant and continuing with a healthy pregnancy. Folic Acid and Iodine supplements are recommended for 3 months prior to conception. Your doctor will also recommend a few stress minimizing techniques to keep you calm during the process.
There are few things one must avoid following unhealthy lifestyle habits including alcohol consumption, smoking.
Also avoid water skiing, horse riding, scuba diving, marathons, bungee jumping or any extreme sports.
Avoid raising the core body temperature. Moderate exercise is encouraged.
Healthy eggs are vital for fertility and the ability to conceive. The quality of eggs depends on several factors such as age, genetic history, lifestyle, etc. Living a healthy lifestyle including a balanced diet, avoiding smoking and alcohol are essential factors for improving egg quality.
We are proud to be one of the Leading Multi Super Specialty Hospitals in NCR. We offer you and your partner access to an expert team of fertility specialists in Gurgaon. We offer the most effective Fertility treatment plan that’s best suited to your situation. We give you the best chances through our comprehensive diagnosis, advanced procedures, and most importantly with our clinical experience.