There is nothing more beautiful than dreaming of becoming a mother or father. But sometimes, due to various reasons, it can be a little late to make that dream come true. Today, we are going to talk about a technology that can bring new hope to those of you who are tired of not having a child and have undergone various treatments. That is the IVF, or in vitro fertilization technology that many people are talking about. Although this may seem a bit complicated, let's talk about it step by step, very simply.
Simply put, what is IVF?
The full meaning of IVF is In Vitro Fertilization . Here, 'In Vitro' means "in glass". That is, we call IVF the process of fertilizing an egg from the mother and a sperm from the father outside the body, in a lab.
Imagine, normally a child is conceived by the union of an egg and a sperm inside the mother's body. But when for some reason this process does not happen properly inside the body, doctors perform this process outside the body, that is, in a lab, using special equipment.
After a few days, the embryo is transferred back into the mother's uterus. If the embryo implants in the uterine wall, a successful pregnancy can occur. This is the basic concept of IVF treatment.
Who needs IVF treatment?
IVF is not something that can be done by just anyone who is childless. Doctors only resort to it when other treatments have failed or when there are certain health conditions. Let's look at the situations in which IVF treatment may be appropriate.
| Reason | Simple explanation |
|---|---|
| Blockage or damage to the Fallopian tubes | When the tubes that carry the egg from the ovary to the uterus are blocked, the sperm cannot reach the egg. This is not a problem because these tubes are bypassed in IVF. |
| Endometriosis condition | The growth of tissue that should be inside the uterus outside the uterus can damage organs like the ovaries and fallopian tubes. This is a major cause of infertility. |
| Sperm problems | If you have a low sperm count, poor motility, or problems with your sperm shape, it is difficult to get pregnant naturally. |
| Ovarian diseases such as PCOS | Conditions like Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) can cause irregular ovulation. IVF can help by controlling egg maturation. |
| Unexplained Infertility | Sometimes, even though all the tests are normal, a baby doesn't develop. In such cases, IVF is a good option. |
| Genetic diseases | If there is a risk of passing on a genetic disease from one parent to the child, the embryo can be tested before being implanted in the uterus and a healthy embryo can be selected. |
| Increasing age | As a woman ages, the quality of her eggs decreases, which reduces her ability to conceive naturally. |
In addition, IVF technology is also used when an egg donor or gestational surrogate is used.
How does the IVF treatment process work?
This is not something that can be completed in one day. It is a process that takes about 4 to 6 weeks and consists of several steps. Let's talk about each of them clearly.
1. Ovarian Stimulation
Normally, your body releases one mature egg per month. But in IVF, one egg is not enough. Getting as many good, mature eggs as possible at once increases the success rate. To do this, you will need to receive several hormone injections every day for about 8 to 14 days. These injections stimulate your ovaries, causing multiple eggs to mature at once instead of just one.
During this time, your doctor will check you regularly.
- Ultrasound Scans: These scans measure the size and number of follicles in the ovaries. This can help determine how mature the eggs are.
- Blood Tests: Hormone levels are checked to determine whether medication dosage needs to be increased or decreased.
Once the eggs are fully mature, a final injection is given. This is called the "Trigger Shot." This is done to complete the final maturation of the eggs and prepare them for release from the ovary. Exactly 36 hours after this injection, the next step is the egg retrieval.
2. Egg Retrieval
This is like a minor surgery. But it's nothing to be too scared about. It's done under mild sedation, so you don't feel any pain.
The doctor inserts a very fine needle into the ovary through the vagina with the help of an ultrasound machine. Then, using a suction device attached to the needle, the mature eggs are carefully removed one by one. The eggs collected in this way are placed in a dish with a special liquid and placed in an incubator at the temperature required for embryo development.
3. Fertilization
On the same day as the egg retrieval, a sperm sample is collected from your partner. Then, an embryologist in the lab combines the retrieved mature eggs with sperm and allows them to be fertilized.
Most often, a method called ICSI (Intracytoplasmic Sperm Injection) is used for this. What is done here is to select the best sperm and inject it directly into the egg with a very fine needle. This greatly increases the likelihood of fertilization.
Typically, about 70% of the mature eggs retrieved are successfully fertilized. For example, if 10 eggs are retrieved, about 7 may develop into embryos.
4. Embryo Development
After fertilization, these embryos are carefully monitored in the lab for about 5 to 6 days. During this time, the embryo cells divide and grow. Not all embryos develop to this stage. Typically, only about 50% of fertilized embryos reach the blastocyst stage, which is suitable for implantation in the uterus. This means that if 7 embryos are created, only 3 or 4 will develop well.
5. Embryo Transfer
This is the final and most important step in the IVF process. It is not painful. It is a simple procedure, like having a Pap test.
The doctor inserts a very thin tube (catheter) through the cervix into the uterus and transfers the best embryo or embryos selected in advance into the uterus. This takes less than 10 minutes.
Important: Usually only one embryo or a maximum of two embryos are transferred. If more embryos are transferred, the risk of having twins or triplets increases. Any remaining embryos that are in good condition can be frozen for future use.
Then all that's left is to wait patiently. If the implanted embryo successfully attaches to the uterine wall (implantation), pregnancy will occur. To confirm this, a blood test is done between 9 and 14 days.
What are the risks and side effects of IVF treatment?
IVF is generally a safe treatment. However, as with any medical treatment, there are some risks and side effects that can occur. It is important to be aware of them.
| Risk/side effects | Description |
|---|---|
| Multiple Births | If more than one embryo is transferred, the chances of having twins increase. This can lead to complications such as premature birth. |
| Ovarian Hyperstimulation Syndrome (OHSS) | A rare condition caused by hormones given to stimulate the ovaries. Symptoms include bloating, nausea, and abdominal pain. If severe, hospitalization may be required. |
| Miscarriage | There is a risk of miscarriage with both natural pregnancy and IVF. This can increase with age. |
| Ectopic Pregnancy | Implantation of the embryo outside the uterus, usually in a fallopian tube. This is a dangerous condition. |
| Common side effects | The injection may cause nausea, headache, weakness, mild stomach ache, breast pain, and bruising at the injection site. These are usually not serious. |
This treatment process can be very tiring, both physically and mentally . Feelings like hope, sadness, and stress can often arise. Therefore, it is very important to talk a lot with your partner during this time, get support from loved ones, and seek counseling if necessary.
How successful is IVF treatment?
This is the biggest question on everyone's mind. The success rate of IVF varies from person to person. The main factor that affects it is the woman's age .
- The success rate is higher for women under 35 years of age (usually around 40% - 50%).
- This percentage gradually decreases between the ages of 35 and 40 .
- After the age of 40, the success rate decreases significantly.
In addition to age, factors such as the cause of infertility, lifestyle (smoking, weight), number of previous pregnancies, and the quality of the treatment clinic also affect success.
Don't worry if one IVF cycle fails. Many people have to try several cycles to achieve a successful result.
Things to consider before and after treatment
Before starting IVF treatment, you and your partner will need to undergo several tests. These include blood tests, a pelvic exam, and a sperm test. Your doctor will also tell you to start taking vitamins, such as folic acid.
After treatment, especially after embryo transfer, it's best to avoid strenuous activities and heavy lifting. But you don't need to be completely bedridden. The most important thing is to follow your doctor's instructions exactly.
Take-Home Message
- IVF is a treatment method in which an embryo created by combining an egg and sperm outside the body is implanted back into the uterus.
- This is not something that is done for everyone. It is best for those who have specific reasons, such as blocked fallopian tubes or sperm problems.
- The main factor affecting success is the woman's age . The younger the woman, the greater the chance of success.
- This process can be both physically and mentally exhausting, so take great care of your mental health.
- Don't give up hope if you don't succeed on your first try. Many people have to try several times.
- If you have any questions about this, feel free to talk openly with your doctor .
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