BANKING YOUR EGGS, FREEZING YOUR FUTURE BABIES
September 15, 2022IVF stands for In-vitro fertilization. This means that instead of the meeting of egg and sperm (Fertilization)in the fallopian tube of the woman, the meeting is done in the laboratory where the woman’s eggs are removed from the ovary and fertilized with the sperm from the man. The embryo then develops in the lab and is transferred into the woman’s womb after 3-5 days.
When is IVF done?
Female problems
Blocked/damaged fallopian tubesPrevious tubal stabilizationUnexplained infertilityA genetic disorderFertility preservation for cancerEndometriosisOvarian disorder eg PCOS
Male problems
Abnormal sperm following a sperm count.Abnormal sperm shape.Abnormal sperm movement.
How is IVF done? Steps to IVF
Ovarian stimulation during IVF
Naturally, the body releases one mature egg per month for fertilization. Ovarian stimulation involves the administration of medication to the woman which stimulates the ovaries to instead produce about 5 – 10 eggs during the menstruation cycle. The process takes about 8 – 12 days on average depending on the body’s response.
Monitoring during IVF
During the process of stimulation with drugs, the ovarian response is checked/monitored by transvaginal sonar to confirm follicular growth by measuring the size of the ovarian follicles, the thickness of the lining of the womb and blood tests. Expected follicular growth is 18mm on average and the womb lining thickness of 8mm.
Ovarian aspiration (egg pick-up)
This is the process that involves harvesting the eggs from the woman’s ovaries into a petri-dish of the lab for assessment and fertilization. The woman is sedated with medication that makes her not to feel pain during the procedure. A sonar is done transvaginally to view the ovarian follicles well and a needle inserted with sonar guidance into the ovary. Suction is then applied to draw out as many eggs as available. The procedure takes anything between 10 – 30 minutes, depending on the number of eggs available and the position of the ovaries.
Fertilization of egg and sperm:
IVF or ICSI
This is the fun part that takes place in the laboratory. If the quality of the sperm is good, then natural fertilization (IVF) is left to take place overnight where the sperm is poured over the eggs and courtship takes place between the two and the egg naturally selects the best sperm for itself. If there is abnormality in the sperm quantity or quality, then our very skilled embryologist is the one who analyzes (under a microscope) the sperm sample produced, then chooses the best looking, fittest, fastest guy to inject into the egg for fertilization. This process is called ICSI (Intracytoplasmic sperm injection).
All of the above procedures can be done here at Family Matters Fertility Centre, with staff that are competent and compassionate to assist you along the way.
Give us a call to book an appointment and begin your fertility journey.