The onset of a long-awaited pregnancy is a happy event for every family. If natural conception is impossible or contraindicated for health reasons of one or both partners, assisted reproductive technologies can help the couple.
IVF sequence
In vitro fertilization is a complex process that consists of several stages and requires careful preparation.
The specialists of the Clinic for Reproductive Medicine K + 31 follow strict adherence to the stages of the program.
1. Controlled ovarian stimulation.
With the help of medications, the ovaries are stimulated in the woman's body, which leads to the growth of several follicles. This stage is accompanied by hormonal and ultrasound monitoring.
2. Obtaining eggs.
Manipulation involves puncture of the follicles under anesthesia.
3. Artificial fertilization of the cell.
In laboratory conditions, in vitro fertilization of an egg takes place - under a microscope, one sperm is injected into each of them.
4. Cultivation of embryos.
For 5-6 days, embryos are grown in a special incubator under the supervision of a specialist.
5. Transfer of embryos into the uterine cavity or their freezing.
At this stage, one or two of the best embryos are selected and inserted into the uterine cavity using a flexible catheter. The remaining good quality embryos can be frozen for future use. Only if both spouses agree can they be used later.
6. Support for the luteal phase.
All patients after IVF need to use drugs with progesterone, in some cases in combination with hCG.
7. Diagnostics of pregnancy.
The level of hCG in the blood is determined. The analysis is done 12-14 days after the introduction of the embryo into the uterine cavity. If the result is positive, hormonal support continues until 10-12 weeks of pregnancy.
Despite the effectiveness of the technique and safety for many patients, there are some risks when conducting an IVF program.
Risk 1. Ovarian hyperstimulation
In order for the IVF program to be more successful, several eggs are needed, while in the female body only one is produced in the natural cycle. To obtain more eggs, the program uses hormonal drugs at the stage of ovarian stimulation.
Intervention in the endocrine system is fraught with some consequences. About 5% of patients may develop ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome if the woman's body, due to individual characteristics, is overly responsive to a standard dose of hormones. The reproductive organs become overly active. This condition has a negative effect on the entire body. Symptoms such as:
- pulling pains in the lower abdomen due to an increase in the size of the ovaries;
- thickening of the blood;
- accumulation of fluid in the abdominal cavity;
- difficulty urinating;
- malfunction of the digestive system;
- nausea;
- disorder;
- lethargy;
- dyspnea;
- increased body temperature.
In some very rare cases, hyperstimulation can cause more serious complications:
- hemorrhage in the ovary;
- renal failure;
- blockage of blood vessels by blood clots;
- volvulus of the epididymis.
Despite the possible consequences, today the risk of the negative impact of IVF on a woman's health is minimized. This is achieved by reducing the doses of hormones required for follicle maturation, as well as by breaking down IVF stages, when the embryo is transferred into the uterine cavity in a separate cycle.
Risk 2. The likelihood of fetal malformations
There is an opinion that in children conceived with the help of artificial insemination, the risk of developing malformations is higher. Statistics casts doubt on this hypothesis.
Since, in most cases, women of a more mature reproductive age apply to the IVF clinic, the probability of the genetic health of the fetus is lower. One of the most famous examples is Down syndrome, characterized by the presence of an extra 21st chromosome.
To avoid the transfer of abnormal embryos into the uterine cavity, preimplantation genetic testing (PGT) can be performed and, thus, immediately select the embryo with the highest probability of having a healthy baby.
Risk 3. Multiple pregnancy
The safest pregnancy for both the mother and the unborn child is pregnancy with one fetus. However, some patients, in order to increase the likelihood of pregnancy, ask to transfer two embryos to the uterus. Pregnancy with two fetuses reduces the chances of having babies on time and increases the likelihood of fetal abnormalities.
The artificial insemination procedure continues to be researched and improved. The best reproductive specialists of the K + 31 clinic use advanced IVF technologies. The procedure will help the couple acquire the long-awaited status of happy parents and give the world a new life.
Only professional help will bring you closer to the desired result.
