Process of IVF
IVF involves a complex variety of steps. They usually are:
Except where there are substantial problems with sperm production microsurgical tubal ligation reversal is more successful than IVF in achieving pregnancies and healthy babies.
Pre-treatment with a Gonadotrophin Hormone analogue
Preliminary medication, given by nasal spray, to suppress the brains efforts to ovulate and improve the overall chance of pregnancy.
Ovarian Stimulation with Follicle Stimulating Hormone
Medication, involving daily injections, to make the ovaries produce more eggs than is usually so during normal ovulation.
Monitoring response to treatment
Blood tests and ultrasound are used to assess the degree of response to FSH treatment - hopefully not too much or too little.
Egg collection
An operation to attempt to retrieve oocytes (eggs), involving trans-vaginal needle aspiration of the ovaries
Sperm supply
Provision of semen - usually collected by masturbation, sometimes by biopsy - to allow extraction of sperm for the fertilization process.
Fertilization in the laboratory
The combination sperm and eggs - by mixing or injection - to permit them to interact and bind together to form an embryo.
Laboratory culture and growth of embryos
Growing fertilized eggs in the laboratory for 5 days to assess if they are suitable for replacement back to the uterus.
Embryo transfer
Delicately placing the developed embryos back into the uterine cavity - hopefully to allow them to attach and produce a pregnancy.
Freezing of spare embryos
Freezing and cryopreservation of spare embryos to permit additional chances of pregnancy in later natural cycles.
Hormone supplements in second half of cycle
Hormone treatment to support the lining of the uterus and to assist in the process of embryo implantation.
Pregnancy test or menstrual period
Joy or sadness at the result of IVF treatment cycle.