What does IVF include?
First of all, it should be noted that in every single situation, this procedure can have some nuances that are related to the physiology of the woman, the presence or absence of her violations.
However, in most cases, the IVF procedure includes the following steps:
- induction of superovulation (second name - stimulation of the ovaries);
- puncture of follicles in the ovaries;
- fertilization of collected oocytes and their cultivation;
- transfer of embryos into the uterine cavity;
- support of the luteal phase;
- diagnosis of pregnancy of a small period.
In some cases, artificial insemination is possible without the first stage, under the conditions of a natural menstrual cycle. Consider how to do IVF in detail.
Induction of superovulation
The goal of this stage is to obtain as many ripened cells as possible in a single cycle. In this case, several types of so-called protocols can be used. The classic, or as it is also called, is long, begin on day 21 of the cycle. It lasts about a month. In this case, the choice of the scheme for stimulation, as well as the drugs to be administered and their dosages is carried out individually. As for the short protocol, it begins with 3-5 days of the cycle and lasts only 12-14 days.
It should be noted that this stage involves monitoring the process of development of the follicles, as well as endometrium, which is performed using the ultrasound machine. In this case, the number of follicles, their sizes are recorded, the thickness of the endometrium is fixed.
Puncture of follicles
This procedure involves the removal of the female sex cells from the body. It is carried out transvaginally, using ultrasound. In this case, puncture needles are used. As a result of manipulation, 5-10 eggs are obtained. The procedure itself is performed under intravenous or local anesthesia. Literally an hour after the fence, the woman leaves the institution.
Oocyte fertilization and in vitro culture
Eggs, and along with them spermatozoa taken from the spouse or donor, are placed in a nutrient medium. It is at this stage that fertilization takes place. With the help of special long tubes under a microscope, fertilization of the egg takes place and the introduction of the spermatozoon into it.
After this comes the cultivation process , which can take 2-6 days, depending on the IVF protocol chosen by the doctor.
Embryo transfer
First, it should be noted that this manipulation can be carried out at various stages of development of the embryo: from the zygote to the blastocyst stage. In order to achieve the maximum result, according to international practice standards, embryologists transfer 2-3 embryos at once.
If we talk about how embryos are replenished with IVF, then for this procedure, as a rule, anesthesia is not required. With the help of special catheters introduced into the uterine cavity through the cervical canal, the cultured embryos are transported.
Support of the luteal phase
Diagnosis of pregnancy
It is carried out by establishing a concentration of hCG in the woman's blood and is carried out already on the 12-14 day from the moment of the procedure. Ultrasound confirmation of the success of IVF can be performed from 21 days after the transfer. By the way, it is from this moment (the day of planting) that such a parameter is considered as the term of pregnancy with IVF.