How does IVF work?

IVF is a complex and highly successful reproductive technology that involves the combination of an egg and sperm in a laboratory setting before implanting the resulting embryo into a woman's uterus. Here, the best infertility specialist in Kolkata has explained how IVF works in treating couples struggling to conceive.

How IVF works?

1. Ovarian Stimulation: The IVF process begins with ovarian stimulation. This is achieved by administering fertility drugs that regulate the woman's menstrual cycle and stimulate the ovaries to produce multiple eggs. The goal is to induce the development of multiple follicles within the ovaries, each containing an immature egg. 

2. Egg Retrieval: Once the follicles have matured, a minor surgical procedure called egg retrieval is performed. Doctors from the best IVF treatment center use ultrasound to aspirate the eggs from the ovaries through a thin needle. The eggs are then placed in a culture dish and evaluated for quality.

3. Sperm Collection: Meanwhile, the male partner provides a sperm sample, which is processed to isolate the healthiest and most active sperm. 

4. Fertilization: In the laboratory, the eggs and sperm are combined under a controlled environment. There are two primary methods for fertilization in IVF: traditional insemination, where sperm is added to the culture dish with the eggs, or Intracytoplasmic Sperm Injection (ICSI), where a single sperm gets injected directly into each egg.

5. Embryo Culture: Fertilized eggs are monitored for several days as they develop into embryos. During this time, embryologists further assess their quality and grade the most viable embryos for transfer, which are then frozen and stored for future use.

6. Embryo Transfer: Woman's uterus are then prepared to receive the embryos by medicines and once it’s ready after a few days of therapy  one or two  of the best-quality embryos are selected for transfer into the woman's uterus. This is a simple and painless procedure that does not require anaesthesia. 

7. Pregnancy Test: Approximately 14 days after the embryo transfer, a pregnancy test is done to determine whether the procedure was successful. If the test is positive, it indicates pregnancy. The woman will then undergo regular prenatal care.

8. Frozen Embryo Transfer: Any remaining embryos from the initial IVF cycle are kept frozen and stored for future use, making subsequent IVF attempts more accessible and cost-effective.

To conclude, in vitro fertilization is a complex and successful medical procedure that has helped millions of couples overcome infertility. By combining advanced reproductive technologies with expert medical care, IVF has revolutionized the field of fertility treatment. Consult the best infertility specialist to know whether IVF is a viable option for you.