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.