What Is IVF

In vitro fertilization (IVF) is a fertility treatment where an egg is fertilized by sperm outside the body, in a laboratory dish. The term "in vitro" means "in glass," referring to the glass dish used in the procedure. IVF is typically used when other methods of assisted reproductive technology have failed, or when there are specific fertility issues that prevent conception through natural means.

• Ovarian Stimulation : - The woman undergoing IVF is given medications to stimulate her ovaries to produce multiple eggs instead of the single egg that typically develops each month.
• Egg Retrieval : - Once the eggs have matured, they are retrieved from the woman's ovaries using a minor surgical procedure called follicular aspiration. This procedure is usually done under sedation.
• Fertilization : - The retrieved eggs are then mixed with sperm from the male partner or a donor. The sperm and eggs are combined in a laboratory dish and left to fertilize naturally, or a single sperm may be injected into each egg using a technique called intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI).
• Embryo Culture : - After fertilization, the embryos are monitored and cultured in the laboratory for several days to allow them to develop.
• Embryo Transfer : - One or more embryos are selected for transfer into the woman's uterus. This is usually done using a thin catheter that is inserted through the cervix. The embryos are carefully placed into the uterus, where they may implant and develop into a pregnancy.
• Pregnancy Test : - About 10-14 days after embryo transfer, a pregnancy test is done to determine if the procedure was successful.