It is very important to know all the basic steps of IVF before you go in for the actual procedure.
To remove the fear of the unknown, here is a brief overview of the IVF procedure given by Dr. Chandana Lakkireddy. She is the best IVF specialist in Hyderabad and is the proud owner of the best IVF centre in Hyderabad.
There are six main steps in any IVF process-
- First consultation-
It can be on any day of your cycle, when you go to the doctor and discuss your needs. The method of IVF, whether it will be a blastocyst transfer, will the embryos be fresh or frozen - all these issues can be discussed in the 1st visit. All the risks related to the treatment can be discussed with the doctor along with success rate estimation. Always have transparency in the cost factor with the doctor.
- Ultrasound check up-
This is done on the second day of your period by a trans-vaginal sonography (TVS). This is mainly done to count the number of eggs present in the ovary and rule out the presence of cyst in the ovary. The doctor may prescribe a few hormonal tests along with it. All the follicle stimulating injections are started in this appointment only.
3. Ovarian stimulation-
Gonadotropin injections are then started to maximize the capacity of the ovary to produce a large number of eggs. Greater the number of eggs, the better the chances of IVF success. One can easily learn the way of administering this injection, as it has a pen disposal system of drug. After taking the injection for five days a repeat USG is done to check the efficacy of these injections. USG can show the number of the eggs that are being formed in the ovary. The result of USG can tell us whether the drug is working or has to be modified. This process takes 10 to 12 days. After the size of the egg has enlarged up to 18 mm, the gynecologist can prescribe injection for egg release.
- Egg pick up or oocyte retrieval-
Before the rupture of the eggs they are carefully retrieved out of the body for fertilization. It is done under complete anesthesia and does not give you any sensation of pain later on. It can be done 34 to 36 hours after the last dose of HCG (trigger) injection. This procedure does not leave any scar marks on your tummy. A thin needle is inserted through the vaginal canal and the eggs are retrieved through it. Now, if it has been previously decided to carry out the egg transfer in the same cycle then progesterone tablets or injections are begun to make the uterine lining thick. Sometimes a frozen transfer is preferred in view of risk of Ovarian Hyperstimulation or raised Progesterone levels which are done on the day of the trigger injection.
After this process, the eggs are fertilized with the sample of sperm in the lab.
- Embryo transfer
It is carried out anywhere between day 3 to day 5 after the egg is picked up. No anaesthesia is required for this procedure as it is finished in under 15 minutes. Doctor will advise you to start medicines which help the implantation and growth. There is no hospitalization after this process.
- Beta HCG blood test
Value of more than 100 microIU of Beta HCG in blood confirms the pregnancy. It is done after 14 days from the day of embryo transfer. Pregnancy is reconfirmed with a USG to rule out ectopic pregnancy after 2 weeks of doing the blood test.
You can reach out to Dr. Chandana, for the best infertility treatment in Hyderabadand to discuss further concerns.
