How is the IVF procedure?

For many, the procedure of IVF (in vitro fertilization, that is, the conception of a child in a test tube) is the most important event, because it is at this point that the long-awaited pregnancy for many mothers actually begins. Let's describe how the IVF procedure goes.

ECO: description of the procedure

The process of IVF is quite long and complicated. It is held in several stages. Many procedures are not physically very pleasant, but there is nothing dangerous or dangerous in them. In most cases, the preparatory procedures for IVF are conducted in an outpatient setting, that is, the woman does not need to stay in the clinic.

How is IVF performed?

Let's consider step by step how the procedure of IVF is done.

1. Preparation for in vitro fertilization: stimulation . Before the IVF procedure, the doctor must receive a certain number of mature eggs. For this, hormonal stimulation is performed. This process is based on careful collection of anamnesis, study of the results of the surveys. Hormonal stimulation allows not only to get a certain number of eggs, but also to prepare the uterus for pregnancy. It is important to note that in this period, continuous ultrasound is needed.
2. Puncture of follicles . Before the IVF procedure is completed, mature follicles must be removed to enter the nutrient medium and wait for the connection with the spermatozoa. It is important to know that the male sperm is also pre-prepared for fertilization.
3. Fertilization. The egg and sperm are placed in a test tube for so-called conception. When this is done, the fertilized egg is placed in a special incubator. A specialist embryologist closely follows how the IVF procedure is going on, how the embryo develops. The life of an embryo in a test tube lasts 2-5 days.
4. Implantation. When the embryo is ready, the specialist will carry out its transfer. For this absolutely painless procedure, a thin catheter is used. Modern standards allow you to transfer no more than 2 embryos.
5. Pregnancy. After fertilization, implantation and fixation of the embryo in the wall of the uterus, a long-awaited pregnancy begins. In order for the implantation to be most successful, a woman is prescribed maintenance therapy with hormones. Whether there was a pregnancy, define or determine in 2 weeks by delivery of the analysis on hCG (that is a chorionic gonadotropin of the person ).

The time that the IVF procedure takes, in each case individually. The preparation process can be lengthy, but the transfer procedure itself lasts no more than a few minutes.