Getting pregnant is not as uncomplicated as it might sound like. Where for some people, this statement might bring relief, but for numerous married couples, this statement is nothing less than bad news. If you are young, single and absolutely not ready for parenthood, then rejoice the fact that pregnancy is more than the typical perception. However, in reality, hundreds of couples have to cope with the multitudes of struggles and hassles to conceive their first child.
From syndromes and tubal infections to trying to conceive at an older age, infertility is a major concern of millions of women out there. You will be surprised to know that over 10% of women (aged 15-44) are unable to conceive after six months or a year of trying. The desire to get pregnant and have your own children is powerful, but not many can fulfil their desire. Coping with infertility can be exhausting and traumatizing. Where you have to deal with your health condition, the “i” word is what adds to your predicament.
All credits to the advancements in technology and medical sciences, the introduction of IVF treatment process has brought relief in the lives of couples going through this conundrum. When it comes to conventional and effective infertility treatments, IVF treatment tops that list. The reason for its widespread usage and popularity is because the treatment has been in the real world for decades, and it has provided thousands of couples with promising results.
Clinics like UltraSound Plus are known for providing the expecting parents with ecstatic experiences of seeing their child in lifelike form. From highly advanced 4D and 3D ultrasound technology to IVF treatment, Ultrasound Plus and IVF Plus are now offering their services across London, Hertfordshire and Essex and the actual treatments take place in our Partnership Clinic, Iakentro in Greece.
Coming back to IVF treatment, here’s what goes in a typical process:
- Superovulation for boosting egg production:
In this initial phase, you will be given a stimulating drug. The drug consists of Follicle Stimulating Hormone which enables your body to produce more eggs every month. Higher the number of eggs, higher your chances of successful fertilization. Not every egg is normal and not every normal egg can implant. For that reason, blood tests are conducted regularly to keep a check on the ovaries and hormone level. Once the follicles have reached a certain level, the HCG injection is used to mature the eggs.
- Egg retrieval:
Once the HCG has matured the eggs, it’s time to remove those matured through a surgical procedure. The process is named as Follicular Aspiration, which is usually done in the doctor’s office or clinic and is generally referred to as outpatient surgery. The process involves injecting a thin needle with a suction device attached to its head. The device pulls out/sucks out one egg at a time. It might sound painful, but thanks to the anaesthetic medication, you don’t have to sweat about any discomfort or pain. However, you might feel cramps after surgery; they usually disappear within a day.
- Sperm collection:
You partner is in this together—during your Follicular Aspiration surgery, your partner’s sperm will also be removed or retrieved for sample testing. You can also go for a sperm donor if you want. Once the sperms are taken for sample, the retrieved sperms go through quick wash and spin-cycle to obtain the healthiest and most suitable one.
- Unification of removed eggs and sperms:
This phase is usually called insemination. A stage in which eggs and sperms are united to let the sperm fertilize the eggs. The process typically takes a few hours to complete. To speed the fertilization process, the doctors can also inject the sperm directly into the egg (ICSI).
- Shifting the embryo to the uterus:
After a few days of fertilization, the embryos are transferred to your uterus. Before that, your uterus’s lining is prepared for receiving the developed embryo. Several fertilized embryos are placed within the uterus lining to develop.
Final thoughts:
Since the process is quite similar to natural reproduction, embryo development followed by pregnancy test is what determines whether the IVF worked or not. The early pregnancy test is performed within the two weeks to assure the expecting parent of a fetal heartbeat—or you can call it as music to their ears!
