Learn, what is IVF process to get pregnant

New Delhi : In Vitro fertilization (IVF) is the most preferred choice to get pregnant for those women who are having problem in conceiving. The process is performed to treat infertility issues which otherwise demands treatment to increase production of eggs or intrauterine insemination. In IVF process, the sperm are placed directly in the uterus of a woman before the monthly ovulation period.

As a part of IVF fertility process, your medication will start before the first day of your period. Since everyone's body respond differently, fertility nurse helps the particular person to understand and identify day 1 of the IVF cycle. If you want to know more about the IVF process completely, then take a look at the following steps

Step 1: Ovulation Induction

Before starting the process, your fertility specialist will monitor your ovaries and the timing of the egg release. The doctor will make sure that your ovaries are producing eggs, and that your hormone levels are normal, among other procedures.

Most women are prescribed with medicines to stimulate the ovaries to produce one or more eggs. In case your body cannot produce any eggs, talk to your doctor about donor eggs for the IVF process.

Step 2: Egg Retrieval

In this step of IVF process, pain medication is given to reduce any discomfort. Then a very thin needle is passed through the upper vaginal wall. With the use of vaginal ultrasound, fluid is removed from the follicles under gentle suction. Immediately after aspiration of the follicle, the oocyte (egg) is isolated from the follicular fluid. The egg is placed in a culture dish containing nutrient media and then transferred to the incubator.

Step 3: Fertilization

The next step of the IVF process is the fertilization of the egg. A sperm sample is secured, either from your partner or a donor, and the most active sperm is mixed with the egg in a special chamber. Sometimes the sperm is directly injected into the egg. Then, the sperm and egg are placed in an incubator and monitored to make sure that a healthy embryo develops.

Step 4: Embryo Transfer and Implantation

The last step of the IVF process is the embryo transfer. First, the embryos are examined to select the healthiest ones for transfer. To transfer the embryo(s), a speculum is placed into your vagina and the embryo(s) are transferred via a small plastic tube placed through the cervix into the uterine cavity.  After the IVF process is complete, bed rest is often advised for around 24 hours.