In-Vitro Fertilization - Know More About It

Many factors can lead to a woman not being able to conceive by regular sexual intercourse, not only recognized medical conditions, but other less identifiable problems such as stress, environment and even possibly pollution. Until relatively recently this simply meant that the couple could not have a child and would turn to other choices such as adoption. Now IVF has given huge number of women the opportunity to conceive and carry a child to term, in a relatively natural fashion.

This treatment can be ideal for couples who have already tried unsuccessfully with conventional methods, but the woman must still have the ability to ovulate, if not, they can opt for a donor and in this case is called in-vitro fertilization with donated ova. Although originally IVF was used in women with absence of the fallopian tubesdefine or they were seriously damaged. IVF now helps patients with endometriosis, low sperm count, abnormal sperm function or un-diagnosed infertility i.e., one where the cause of infertility is unknown

The IVF technique involves the use of drugs that induce the formation of follicles containing eggs in the ovaries of women. Then begins the process of maturation of these eggs, which is carefully monitored through blood tests, to measure estrogen in the developing ovum and ultrasounds, documenting the number of follicles and their diameters.

When the follicles reach the appropriate size and the required level of estrogen, an injection of HCG (Human Chorionic Gonadotropin) is given that leads to the end of maturation. 36 hours later these eggs are examined by transvaginal ultrasound (or in some cases through laparoscopic surgery) shortly before the time of ovulationdefine. This is when the eggs are identified in the laboratory, where they are placed alongside the sperm of the man.

After 18 to 24 hours, the eggs are examined to determine which have achieved fertilization. The embryos are kept in a system of in-vitro culture and are then transferred to the uterusdefine of women between three and five days later. The results of this fertilization are evident within two weeks.

The in-fertility of a man is not an impediment to a couple having a baby, as there is a new treatment, the intracytoplasmic sperm injection consisting of an injection of a spermatozoid directly into the egg. Used successfully with fresh sperm obtained directly from the testicles or sperms which have been previously frozen.

In order to discover the sex, the institution carries out the pre-implantation genetic diagnosis (PGD) with FISH (Fluorescent In Situ Hybridization). The accuracy in diagnosis of the sex of the embryo is 95%.