IVF & Fertility

What is Infertility?

Infertility is the inability to conceive after one year of unprotected intercourse. It can affect both men and women, with factors ranging from hormonal imbalances, blocked fallopian tubes, low sperm count, and age-related fertility decline. Infertility is a common issue, affecting about 1 in 6 couples globally, but it doesn’t have to be the end of the road. With treatments like IVF, many couples can successfully conceive.

Who Are the Candidates for IVF?

IVF is not the first line of treatment for all infertility cases, but it is often recommended when other methods haven’t worked. You might be a candidate for IVF if:

• You’ve been diagnosed with blocked or damaged fallopian tubes.

• Male infertility issues like low sperm count or motility are present.

• You have ovulation disorders such as PCOS (polycystic ovary syndrome).

• You’ve had multiple miscarriages with no clear cause.

• You’re using donor eggs or sperm to conceive.

• You’re undergoing fertility preservation (e.g., before cancer treatment).

Your fertility specialist will evaluate your situation and suggest if IVF is the right path for you.

What to Expect in the IVF Process

The IVF process involves multiple stages and can take several weeks to complete. Here’s a general overview of what to expect:

• Ovarian Stimulation: You’ll be given hormone injections to stimulate the ovaries to produce multiple eggs.

• Egg Retrieval: A minor surgical procedure is done to collect the eggs from your ovaries.

• Fertilization: The retrieved eggs are combined with sperm in a lab to create embryos.

• Embryo Transfer: After a few days of development, the healthiest embryo(s) is transferred to the uterus.

• Waiting Period: You’ll wait about 10-14 days before taking a pregnancy test to determine if the procedure was successful.

It’s important to know that not every IVF cycle leads to pregnancy, but many couples achieve success after several attempts.

Common Techniques in IVF

Several techniques are used to improve the chances of success during IVF. Some of the most common include:

• Intracytoplasmic Sperm Injection (ICSI): : A single sperm is injected directly into an egg, used in cases of male infertility.

• Assisted Hatching: A technique that helps the embryo hatch from its outer shell to improve implantation rates.

• Preimplantation Genetic Testing (PGT): Screening embryos for genetic disorders before transferring them to the uterus.

• Frozen Embryo Transfer (FET): Embryos can be frozen for future use and transferred at a later date.

Your fertility doctor will discuss the best options based on your medical history and fertility needs.

• Rest and Relaxation: While you don’t need bed rest, taking it easy and avoiding strenuous activities can help.

• Medications: You may be prescribed progesterone to support the uterine lining and help with embryo implantation.

• Monitoring: Your clinic will schedule follow-up appointments to monitor hormone levels and check for early signs of pregnancy.

• Emotional Care: The waiting period after embryo transfer can be stressful, so consider continuing with counseling or relaxation techniques.