To treat infertility and assist with child conception, IVF is a type of assisted reproductive technology. Infertility rates are rising due to increased work stress, a hectic and fast-paced urban lifestyle, environmental toxins, and delaying marriageable age.
Surrogacy: A ray of hope
Surrogacy is often the last option for many couples who are unable to conceive due to infertility. It is only available to locals, and it must be done altruistically because commercial surrogacy is illegal. (Please note that foreigners are not permitted to participate in a surrogacy programme in India at this time.)
Surrogacy allows genetic materials from both the mother and the father, as well as an egg donor or sperm donor, to be implanted into the surrogate mother’s womb. Surrogates have all been screened to ensure that they are healthy and capable of carrying a pregnancy to full term.
IVF Treatment
In vitro fertilization (IVF) is the laboratory process of fertilizing eggs. It’s a well-known type of assisted reproductive technology (ART). IVF works by combining medications and surgical procedures to help sperm fertilize an egg and the fertilized egg implant in the uterus.
You begin by taking medication that causes several of your eggs to mature and become fertile. IVF specialist doctor removes your eggs from your body and mixes them with sperm in a lab. After that, they implant one or more fertilized eggs (embryos) into your uterus. Any of the embryos can implant in the lining of your uterus, resulting in pregnancy.
IVF is a lengthy process with many steps that take several months to complete. IVF can sometimes work on the first try, but many people need more than one round to get pregnant. If you’re having fertility issues, IVF will almost certainly increase your chances of getting pregnant, but there’s no guarantee everyone’s body is different, and IVF isn’t effective for everyone.
IVF procedure includes:
- Stimulation
Each time a woman has her period, she usually makes one egg. However, IVF needs a lot of eggs. Multiple eggs make it more likely to have a healthy embryo. You’ll get fertility drugs to make more eggs in your body. During this time, your doctor will do blood tests and ultrasounds to keep an eye on how many eggs are being made and when they should be removed.
- Egg retrieval
This is called “follicular aspiration.” It’s when you get your eggs out. It’s a surgery that is done with anesthesia. Use an ultrasound wand to guide a needle into your vagina, through your ovary, and to a follicle that has eggs inside. In each follicle, the needle will take the eggs and fluid out with it.
- Insemination
The male partner will now have to give a sample of his semen to the doctor. A technician will put the sperm and eggs in a petri dish and mix them. In case that doesn’t work, your doctor may use ICSI.
- Embryo culture
Your doctor will keep an eye on the fertilized eggs to make sure they’re dividing and growing. Testing for genetic conditions may be done at this time.
- Embryo Transfer
As soon as the embryos are big enough to the implant, they can be put in the womb Three to five days after fertilization, this is usually when the sperm starts coming out. This is how you get an implant in your body. A tube called a catheter is put in your vagina, through your cervix, and into your uterus. Once the embryo is in your uterus, your doctor will let it grow there.
The embryo attaches itself to the uterine wall, which leads to pregnancy. This could take from around 6 to 10 days. You can find out if you’re pregnant by having a blood test done.
Conclusion
Choosing whether or not to use in vitro fertilisation, and how to proceed if the first attempt fails, is a difficult decision. This process can be costly, physically demanding, and emotionally draining. Speak with your doctor to determine your best options and if IVF is right for you and your family.