FAQs on IVF

Kanchan Kashyap

, Technology

What is IVF?

 

The letter “IVF” refers to in vitro fertilization. Assistive reproductive technology, or ART, is the process of producing an egg with sperm outside the body. The fertilized egg, which is also called an embryo, is then moved to the woman’s uterus, where it has a chance to implant and grow into a live baby.

 

When is the right time to go through the IVF process?

 

Prior to deciding to use in vitro fertilization (IVF), a couple should try to get pregnant normally for a year. If either person is over 30, they need to see a fertility expert within six months of trying to get pregnant. In addition, a couple might need to get a fertility test to rule out any problems.

 

What kind of testing would be required before the IVF procedure?

 

The following tests will be told to you before the IVF cycle;

 

Ovarian reserve testing:

Your doctor may do ovarian reserve testing to find out how many and what kind of eggs you have. As part of this, the amount of anti-mullerian hormone (AMH) should be in your blood. When combined with a scan of the ovaries, the test results can help predict how the ovaries will respond to fertility drugs. The best way to find out about ovarian (egg) reserve during an ultrasound is to look at three things: age, blood adrenocorticotropic hormone (AMH), and antral follicle count (AFC).

 

Semen analysis:

If your doctor doesn’t do a semen study as part of the first fertility test, they will do one right before you start IVF treatment. In case the first review doesn’t include a semen analysis, this is what is done. The test is important because it gives the most complete picture of a man’s fertility, showing the number of sperm, how they move, and their shape.

 

Sperm DNA fragmentation index:

The sperm DNA fragmentation index, also called the DFI or SDF, can determine what portion of sperm has normal DNA. If the DFI is over 25%, it means that your male partner needs vitamins. Up to fifty per cent of men who can’t explain their problems are linked to oxidative stress, which affects sperm. This could be because of things in the environment (pollution, pesticides, fertilizers in food, led and unleaded fuel fumes), things in people’s lives (smoking, drinking, using drugs and other illegal substances like gutkha, being overweight, having diabetes, not exercising), or things that can’t be explained. Before you have an IVF cycle, your doctor will probably tell you to take antioxidant supplements such as L-carnitine, coenzyme Q, Resveratrol, L-arginine, and other similar products.

 

Infectious disease screening:

Both you and your partner will be screened for VDRL for syphilis, HIV, Hepatitis B and C, and as well as other dangerous diseases.

 

Uterine cavity:

Before the in vitro fertilization process starts, your doctor will look inside your uterus. In order to get pictures of the inside of the uterus, a transvaginal ultrasound may be used. Some of these pictures may show a colour Doppler study and 3D. A thin, lit telescope (hysteroscope) is inserted through the vagina and cervix into the uterus during the process.

 

Genetic testing or Gene sequencing:

If someone in your family has a genetic disease or if you have had a lot of failed IVF attempts or miscarriages, gene sequencing or genetic tests may be important. With advances in technology, it is now possible to find faulty genes very accurately and then destroy the embryos that have them through preimplantation genetic testing.

 

What tests must be taken before IVF?

 

Through a number of blood tests that you and your partner will do, any infections, blood group, sugar level, hormone level, and HB will be checked. In addition, the female partner has to go through a scan to see if she is ovulating. Also, the male partner will have to go through a semen analysis test to find out how much and what kind of sperm he has.

 

Who are the ideal candidates for the IVF process?

 

In vitro fertilization (IVF) is a good treatment for couples who have tried to get pregnant naturally for at least a year but have been unable to do so. For couples who know they can’t have children because of something like endometriosis, a low sperm count, or clogged fallopian tubes, this method can also be used to help them.

 

What risks and complications could happen with in vitro fertilization (IVF)?

 

Some problems and risks that can happen with in vitro fertilization (IVF) are ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome (OHSS), having more than one baby, ectopic pregnancy, and mental stress. In most cases, these problems are not likely to happen, and they are easy to treat when they do. The majority of women who have IVF have healthy, happy births.

 

Can IVF be done multiple times?

 

There is still no limited or maximum number. Everything depends on what the clinic decides about the treatment plan for the pair. The IVF professional is always ready to discuss their concerns with the couple.

 

How long do we have to wait to have sex after IVF?

 

The idea is that sexual contractions can mess up the early stages of implantation. Other than that, it might be good to have sexual intercourse the night before the pre-embryo transfer ritual. Some medical professionals may tell their patients to have sex before the transfer because they believe it will make it more likely for the patient to get pregnant.

 

Can we drink or smoke after IVF treatment?

 

Most experts say that you should not drink or do drugs for two to three weeks, but it has not been proven exactly how long you should not drink or do drugs to protect the future child.

 

Is IVF treatment painful?

 

In vitro fertilization (IVF) is usually not painful because it is a normal process. You don’t need to be concerned about the chance of getting a sting.

 

Through IVF, can I have twins or triplets by myself?

 

As it makes the pregnancy healthier, doctors often choose to move just one cell instead of many. Even though putting in a lot of eggs doubles the chance of having more than one child.

 

Is there any insurance that will pay for IVF?

 

Some types of insurance don’t always cover the costs of IVF and other treatments for infertility. Most or all insurance plans don’t cover the costs of IVF. These treatments aren’t usually seen as medically necessary, so people don’t have to go through them. So, if you need more information and proof, you should talk to your insurance company.

 

How much does IVF cost, and how can I pay for it?

 

The cost of IVF varies a lot based on the patient’s age and health. Not only that, but prices vary between states and towns. An IVF treatment can cost anywhere from INR 1,50,000 to INR 3,00,000, depending on the methods used and any extra steps that need to be taken. The actual cost of IVF maybe somewhere in this range. People who work in assisted reproductive technology (ART) need to know a lot about medicine, technology, and building. The person can use low-interest plans or savings programs to pay for the surgery. There are several ways for patients to pay for the treatment.

 

What are alternatives to IVF?

 

When you want to get pregnant, you can try intrauterine insemination (IUI), fertility drugs, making changes to your lifestyle that will help you get pregnant, or other assisted reproductive technologies like donor sperm or egg. Medical experts in fertility can tell you which of these choices is best for you based on your sickness. It is because they are the only ones who know what to do.

 

What happens to unused embryos after in vitro fertilization treatment?

 

Couples can choose to give their extra embryos to another couple, store them for later use, or throw them away, as long as they do so ethically.

 

What are the main side effects of IVF treatment?

 

IVF can cause a lot of issues or side effects, like breast pain, slight cramps, and an engorged stomach. If not, you shouldn’t be shocked if you start to feel these things in the days before a natural pregnancy. Some of the bad things that medicine can do are change hormones, cause stomach pain, and cause hot flashes.

 

What kind of medicines are used in IVF?

 

During the IVF process, many fertility drugs are used to make more eggs. One example is follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH).

 

How many weeks does it take to complete fertility treatment?

 

A couple’s therapy time varies based on the type of treatment, the illness, the reason for infertility, and how the couple is managed.

 

How is IUI different from IVF?

 

The term “intrauterine insemination” (IUI) refers to putting sperm directly into the uterus to fertilize an egg cell in the body. the process of fertilization then takes place.  On the other hand, with IVF, an egg is made and an embryo is grown in a lab.

 

How does age affect IVF treatment and its success rate?

 

It is very important to know how old the woman is to understand if IVF will work. This is because, for women over 35, the chances of getting pregnant drop very quickly. After age 35, you are more likely to have a miscarriage or a baby with birth problems.

 

For what reasons do doctors say a woman can’t have children?

 

An ultrasound is generally needed to look at a woman’s uterus and eggs when she is having trouble getting pregnant. To check on the health of your tubal organs and to see how well your hormones are controlled, you can also get HSG tests.

 

Do I need to sleep straight during pregnancy?

 

This is not true. If you want to, you can sleep on your stomach if that’s what makes you feel the best. As long as the hip bone keeps the uterus safe, it doesn’t feel any pressure from the outside. Similarly, having a baby sit on your stomach won’t hurt your pregnancy.

 

How soon can the IVF cycle be repeated if the first one doesn’t work?

 

It is different for everyone. People are usually given two to three cycles to get their menstrual cycle back, which is one of the main reasons for the wait.

 

What are the symptoms of egg retrieval?

 

Following the egg retrieval process, you might experience cramps and a feeling of fullness or pressure in your lower belly. Also, this drug may make you feel lightheaded for a few hours after finishing it. Make sure that a family member, like your husband, is with you on the way home. Sometimes, you might get sick and even throw up. They are usually not too bad and go away on their own because the medicine makes you sleepy.

 

What kinds of food diet do I need to follow in pregnancy?

 

You can eat any gluten-free food you want during these treatments. Even if someone is non-vegetarian, they shouldn’t eat too much red meat and eggs. Big servings of fruits and veggies are both fine. Your stomach should be full before the test. Some chicken and fish can be okay to eat if you cook them the right way. According to some, eating too much mango or papaya after the egg transfer process can lead to an abortion.

 

What is the success rate of IVF?

 

The success rate of in vitro fertilization (IVF) depends on a lot of factors, including the woman’s age, the reason she can’t have children, how long she’s been unable to do so, the number of embryos she transfers, and the number of failed tries to implant and previous miscarriages she has had. Between sixty and seventy percent of women under the age of 35 are successful after two rounds. With age, this number goes down for the woman.

 

Is traveling OK during the IVF treatment process?

 

If you make the right plans, you can travel while seeking fertility care. If you need to be at the hospital at certain times every month for your fertility treatment, you can plan your trips around those times. You should let your fertility doctor know about your trip ahead of time so that they can make changes to your treatment plan to fit your needs.

 

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