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What is IVF? How is IVF Treatment Performed?

In vitro fertilization (IVF) or in other words, the process of combining reproductive cells in a laboratory environment, applied to people who cannot have children naturally. In vitro fertilization treatment, one of the assisted reproductive treatment methods, begins with the collection of eggs from the expectant mother and the collection of sperm cells from the father-to-be. After fertilization in the laboratory environment, the resulting embryo is placed in the uterus of the expectant mother. After this point, the pregnancy continues as a naturally acquired pregnancy. IVF treatment is done in two different ways. One of them is defined as classical IVF treatment and in this method, egg and sperm are left in the same environment and natural fertilization is expected to occur. The second method is microinjection application. In this form of treatment, the sperm is injected directly into the egg cell. Although both treatment methods are applied successfully, the physician decides which method will be applied according to the health status and reproductive abilities of the spouses. The aim of IVF treatment is to create a healthy pregnancy.

What is IVF?

It is recommended that couples have health check-ups if they cannot achieve pregnancy despite having regular and unprotected sexual intercourse for 1 year. If the expectant mother is older than 35, the waiting period is 6 months. In order to achieve pregnancy naturally, the hormonal system and many different organs must work together and in harmony with each other, as well as the female reproductive system. First of all, the hypothalamus region in the brain stimulates the pituitary gland, which is also located in the brain. The pituitary gland secretes the hormones LH and FSH. Hormones reaching the ovaries through the circulatory system stimulate the egg follicles in the ovarian reserve. Thus, some of the eggs enter the maturation process. With the cracking of the most healthy egg, the egg is thrown into the fallopian tubes, which is a kind of channel between the ovary and the uterus. The lifespan of the egg to be fertilized here is about 24 hours. However, sperm, which is a male reproductive cell, can survive in the female body for 4-5 days. Therefore, in case of sexual intercourse before ovulation or on the day of ovulation, fertilization can occur.

During this process, the follicle in which the egg is located secretes estrogen, causing the uterine wall to thicken. After the egg is fertilized, it comes to the uterus and pregnancy begins when the embryo attaches to the thickened uterine wall. During this whole process, different reproductive problems may occur in men or women. In this case, the couple may consider the option of in vitro fertilization, which is one of the assisted reproductive treatment methods, after the examinations and tests. In IVF treatment, eggs collected from the expectant mother and sperm cells taken from the father-to-be are fertilized in the laboratory environment, and then the resulting embryo is placed in the uterus of the mother-to-be by embryo transfer method. The Beta HCG level of the expectant mother is checked with a blood test performed approximately 2 weeks later. If the test result shows that the pregnancy has been successfully achieved, the pregnancy process begins. Pregnancies provided by IVF treatment are no different from pregnancies obtained naturally. The pregnancy process continues in its normal course.

How is IVF done? What are the Requirements?

In vitro fertilization can be defined as the process of placing the healthiest embryo in the uterus, which is obtained as a result of the fertilization of the eggs collected from the mother-to-be with the sperm of the father-to-be in the laboratory environment. Before starting IVF treatment, the reproductive abilities of both men and women are evaluated. Then, hormone therapy is started for the mother-to-be’s eggs to enter the maturation process. Afterwards, a cracking needle is made and the eggs are released from their follicles. In the egg collection process, the maturing eggs of the expectant mother are collected with the help of transvaginal ultrasound. In the meantime, sperm cells are taken from the father-to-be. Fertilization is achieved with reproductive cells brought together in a laboratory environment. The healthiest of the embryos, or in other words the best in vitro fertilization, is transferred to the uterus of the expectant mother under ultrasound guidance. After this process, the couple is sent home about half an hour later. In some cases, more than one embryo needs to be transferred to the womb. In such cases, multiple pregnancy may occur. Although IVF treatment can be applied to a person at any age before menopause, it should not be forgotten that the chance of pregnancy decreases after the age of 40. There is no upper limit on the number of applications. In IVF treatment, women younger than 35 should have had unprotected and regular sexual intercourse for 1 year and people older than 35 should not have been able to achieve pregnancy. One of the frequently asked questions is “How does IVF happen?” is in the form.

IVF Stages: How Does IVF Happen?

Stimulation of the Eggs

Collecting the Eggs

Retrieval of Sperm

Fertilization

Embryo Transfer