In vitro fertilization ( IVF) is a treatment option for infertile women to become pregnant. IVF is the most efficacious form of Assisted Reproductive Technology ( ART). IVF procedure includes female egg and male sperm being fertilized in a dedicated lab. You can use a couple’s eggs or sperm. The IVF procedure may be done with the use of sperm or embryos from an unspecified donor. And, a (gestational carrier), which is someone with an embryo implanted into the uterus, might be used in some IVF pregnancy cases.
When is IVF Treatment Needed?
In vitro fertilization (IVF), is a method to treat infertility and genetic problems. In the case of infertility, you and your partner may be able to explore other options besides IVF. Treatment includes fertility medications to improve egg production or ICSI injections, ICSI injections allow sperm to be shifted into the uterus during the time of ovulation in a woman.
However, Doctors use IVF as a primary treatment for infertility for women over the age of forty because of IVF success rate. If you or your partner have several medical conditions. Then, IVF might be an option.
- Fallopian tube damage/blockage – Fallopian tube blockage or damage makes it difficult for an embryo or egg to travel to the uterus.
- Ovulatory disorders – If there are fewer eggs available for fertilization, it is likely that ovulation is irregular or absent.
- Adenomyosis/Endometriosis – This happens when the tissue grows outside of the uterus & affects the function of the reproductive system or fallopian tubes.
- Uterine leiomyomas/Uterine fibroids – Uterine fibroids are benign tumors of the uterus. These are most common in women between the age of 31 to 42. Fibroids can affect the implantation process of fertilized eggs.
- Tubal ligation – This is a form of sterilization where the fallopian tubes have been cut or blocked to stop pregnancy. If you are trying to conceive following tubal ligation reversal surgery, IVF might be an option.
What is the IVF Procedure?
IVF involves the removal of eggs from a woman’s reproductive organs and their fertilization in a laboratory using sperm donated by her partner or another donor. Then, the doctor will place one or two fertilized eggs into the uterus for further process.
These are the phases of an IVF Cycle:
- Firstly, daily injections or nasal sprays can be used to interrupt a woman’s natural menstrual cycle. Secondly, to stimulate women’s ovaries and to produce additional eggs, doctors give fertility hormone injections.
- Then, doctor will retrieve the eggs/embryos from the women’s reproductive system.
- A doctor fertilizes the eggs in a dedicated laboratory using the donor sperm or her partner sperm.
- Then, a doctor will fertilize the embryos for a few days in a lab.
- A doctor will transfer one or two healthy embryos into the woman’s uterus by inserting a medical tube into the vagina or cervix of the woman.
- The woman will be able to get pregnant if the embryo implants successfully. For a pregnancy test, she will need to wait for two weeks.
- Any remaining embryos that are healthy can be frozen for later use.
What Are The Chances of Becoming Pregnant with IVF?
A cycle of IVF gives a woman a 20-35% chance of having a child. This chance decreases with age, and is higher for women under 35. The chance of success drops to 1 in 10 by age 44.
Some women may require 2 to 3 cycles of IVF in order to get pregnant successfully. Rarely, Some women are never able to get pregnant even after treatment.
What Are The Risks Linked with IVF Pregnancy?
Multiple childbirth – IVF pregnancy has a higher chance of multiple births if a higher number of embryos get into the uterus. Multiple fetuses can have a higher chance of low birth weight and early labor than one fetus.
Premature birth and low weight children – IVF may increase the chance of a baby being born prematurely or at low birth weight.
Chances of miscarriage – Women who use IVF with fresh embryos have a similar rate to women who conceive naturally. It is about 15% to 25%, but it increases with maternal age.
Egg-retrieval complications – Using an aspirating tool to collect eggs can cause bleeding, infection, damage to the bladder, bowel, or blood vessels, and could result in infections. Sedation can also pose risks, So doctors may use general anesthesia.
Ectopic pregnancy – is a rare condition in which the fertilized egg starts to implant in the outer wall of the uterus. This occurs most often in fallopian tubes. The fertilized eggs are not able to survive outside of the uterus, Hence, pregnancy will not appear in that woman.
Congenital disabilities – The primary risk factor for congenital disabilities is the mother’s age. It is important to find out if IVF-conceived babies are at greater risk for specific congenital disabilities.
Cancer – According to the research of {National Institutes of Health} there is possibly no link between certain medicines used for stimulating egg growth and the development of a particular type of ovarian cancer. However, there is no exact proof of the link between cancer and IVF & yet it is an open question till now.
Anxiety/Stress – IVF can be emotionally, financially, and physically draining. Counselors, family members, and friends can support you and your partner during the difficult times of infertility treatment.
Also read – Make Your Own Diet Plan for better Healthy Life.
How Much Does an IVF Procedure Cost?
It is very time-consuming to have IVF pregnancy. People who go through IVF repeatedly can suffer from emotional and physical side effects. Although financial costs can vary widely, each IVF cycle may cost several thousand of rupees. For example – I am a resident of Jaipur. So, the overall  IVF cost in Jaipur is relatively very low and starts at Rs 1 Lakh at the best IVF hospital in Jaipur in comparison to other metropolitan cities such as – Delhi, Mumbai which have an average cost of Rs 2.5 lakhs and Rs 4 lakhs for IVF cycle.
If you are unable to get pregnant, Medicare may offer a rebate for certain IVF products. Your insurance provider can cover other aspects of treatment. You may also need to pay for medicines, tests, or day surgery.
Conclusion
Lastly, speak with your fertility doctor for considering IVF pregnancy. However, speaking with a doctor will make you calm and well educated about the whole procedure and the cost of treatment and by that, you can choose the best treatment option for yourself.