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In vitro fertilization (IVF) is a collaborative process involving prospective parents, doctors, laboratory staff, and auxiliary healthcare teams. Let’s explore the fundamental information about IVF, success rates, and the treatment process together:
If a couple, despite having unprotected and regular sexual intercourse for one year, cannot conceive naturally, IVF may be suggested.
If a couple, despite having unprotected and regular sexual intercourse for six months, cannot conceive naturally, IVF may be recommended.
During this period of unsuccessful attempts at pregnancy, it is essential for couples to undergo health checks to determine their reproductive capacities.
If necessary, the woman's egg development is monitored with or without the use of medications. The couple engages in intercourse on designated days based on this tracking, increasing the chances of pregnancy. If hormonal factors such as diabetes or thyroid issues are present, treatment and lifestyle changes can lead to pregnan-cy without resorting to IVF.
Medications and vitamins are used to increase the sperm count or motility in the man. Lifestyle changes may also be requested from the man. In many of our pa-tients, we have obtained pregnancy using medication treatments to reach quality sperm, without the need for a Micro-TESE procedure.
The prospective mother comes for an examination on the second or third day of her menstrual cycle. The doctor examines the prospective mother to gather information about her ovarian capacity and uterus. The Anti-Müllerian Hormone (AMH) test, indicating the state of the egg reserve, is requested. When necessary, a uterine X-ray (HSG) or hysteroscopy may be recommended.
Additionally, thyroid function tests, prolactin hormone levels, blood count, blood type, and serological tests (Hepatitis and HIV tests) may be requested.
Tests for Women Starting IVF Treatment for the First Time:
Based on the examination results, the doctor prescribes hormone medications to stimulate the ovaries and achieve the development of numerous eggs. The patient is informed about the use of medications. The process of using hormone medications lasts approximately 8-14 days. The purpose of administering injections is to obtain mature eggs. The dosage of hormone injections is determined based on the woman's age, weight, and, if any, previous treatments.
The prospective mother administers the injections regularly and visits the doctor at intervals determined according to egg development.
Follicle development monitoring is conducted by measuring the estrogen level in the blood and observing the number and sizes of follicles in ultrasonography. We determine the dosage of injections containing FSH and HMG by evaluating these data together during the process.
As the follicles grow, estrogen levels in the blood increase. In some special cases, LH and progesterone hormones may also be measured to gain insight.
Follow-up examinations may be daily or every other day depending on the response of the ovaries. When the largest follicle reaches a size of 18-20 mm after approximately 8-10 days, the HCG shot (trigger shot) is administered, and the egg retrieval process begins about 34-36 hours later.
Egg retrieval, also known as oocyte pick-up (OPU), refers to the extraction of the eggs developed during the treatment to the external environment. The procedure, which lasts for about 10 minutes, is performed under anesthesia.
The patient lies in a vaginal examination position and does not feel any pain during the collection of eggs. After resting in the clinic for a maximum of 1 hour after the procedure, the patient can return home.
On the same day, the male patient provides a sperm sample through masturbation in a designated sperm collection room. Lubricants, soap, and similar substances with lethal components should not be used during masturbation. The collected sperm is transferred to the laboratory, and after necessary procedures, the fertilization process begins.
In some special cases, such as the absence of fresh sperm, previously frozen sperm stored can be thawed and used.
The fertilization process is carried out through two main methods:
Classic IVF: Fertilization is achieved by placing sperm and egg cells in the same environment, allowing motile sperm to reach the egg in their natural environment.
Intracytoplasmic Sperm Injection (ICSI): A selected sperm cell is injected into the egg using micro-pipettes.
After the fertilization process, the eggs are preserved in devices called incubators, which mimic the uterine environment in the best possible way.
We monitor the development of embryos on a daily basis to select the highest quality embryos with the highest chance of implantation.
Using devices known as embryoscopes, which allow 24/7 live observation of the embryos without disrupting their environment, we can make a more accurate and safer selection of embryos with the highest potential.
The embryo transfer stage is the shortest but most critical stage in IVF treatment. Incorrectly performing the transfer of a developed embryo to the uterus, the culmination of the entire treatment, can jeopardize the success of the entire treatment.
The transfer is performed between the 2nd and 6th days after OPU (egg retrieval) based on the number and development of embryos, age, previous trial numbers, and various other parameters. The embryo, reaching a certain maturity, is placed inside the uterus with the help of special catheters.
After the transfer, it is recommended to perform a pregnancy test on the 12th day in fresh cycles and on the 15th day in frozen cycles using Beta HCG.
Therefore, in IVF treatments, the experience and success of the doctor performing the transfer are also crucial, as important as embryo quality and selection.
Take your first step now for this exciting Journey that lasts approximately 3 weeks!
Make an AppointmentLet us call you as soon as possible regarding the issues you want to consult.
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