IVF Treatment
What is IVF?
In Vitro Fertilization is a medical procedure where mature eggs are retrieved from the ovaries and fertilized by sperm in a specialized laboratory. The resulting fertilized egg, now an embryo, is then carefully transferred into the uterus. A full cycle of IVF typically spans about two to three weeks.
Benefits of IVF Treatment
- Higher Pregnancy Success: Compared to some other fertility treatments, IVF often has a higher chance of resulting in a pregnancy.
- Genetic Screening of the embryo before transfer: Preimplantation Genetic Testing (PGT) can be performed on embryos to screen for specific genetic defects or chromosomal abnormalities before transfer, reducing the risk of passing on certain conditions.
- Option to use Donor Eggs/Sperm: IVF allows for the use of donor eggs or sperm when necessary.
- Flexible Family Planning: Individuals facing medical treatments like chemotherapy, which can affect fertility, can opt to freeze their eggs, sperm, or embryos for future use through IVF, known as cryopreservation. This allows individuals or couples to plan parenthood according to their personal, professional, or financial circumstances, giving them the option to attempt pregnancy when they feel best prepared.
- Solutions for Various Fertility Problems: It can overcome issues like blocked or damaged fallopian tubes, male factor infertility (low sperm count or motility), ovulation disorders, endometriosis, uterine fibroids, and unexplained infertility.
How Do You Prepare for IVF Treatment?
Preparation for IVF is crucial and typically begins 2 to 4 weeks before starting the actual cycle. This phase may involve:
- Initial Consultation and Testing: Thorough medical history, fertility evaluations for both partners (ovarian reserve testing, semen analysis, infectious disease screening).
- Lifestyle Adjustments:
- Healthy Diet: Focus on a balanced diet rich in fruits, vegetables, lean protein, and whole grains.
- Maintain a Healthy Weight: Being significantly overweight or underweight can affect IVF outcomes.
- Avoid Smoking, Alcohol, and Recreational Drugs: These can negatively impact egg and sperm quality and overall success.
- Limit Caffeine: Discuss caffeine intake with your doctor.
- Stress Management: Incorporate stress-reducing activities like yoga, meditation, or light exercise.
- Medications: Your doctor might prescribe medications to regulate your menstrual cycle or address other underlying conditions.
- Supplements: Folic acid is typically recommended. Discuss any other supplements with your doctor.
What is the Process of In Vitro Fertilization (IVF)?
Stages of IVF treatment include:
- Ovarian Stimulation: Fertility medications (hormone injections) are administered for 8-14 days to stimulate the ovaries to produce multiple mature eggs, rather than the single egg that normally develops each month. Regular monitoring through blood tests and ultrasound scans is done to track follicle development.
- Egg Retrieval: Once the eggs are mature, they are retrieved in a minor surgical procedure performed under sedation or anesthesia. A thin needle, guided by ultrasound, is passed through the vaginal wall into the ovarian follicles to collect the eggs. On the same day as the egg retrieval, a semen sample is collected from the male partner or a sperm donor. The sperm are then processed in the lab to select the healthiest and most motile ones.
- Fertilization: The retrieved eggs and prepared sperm are combined in a laboratory dish for fertilization. In some cases, a technique called Intracytoplasmic Sperm Injection (ICSI) is used, where a single healthy sperm is injected directly into each mature egg. This is often used for male factor infertility. The fertilized eggs, now embryos, are cultured in the laboratory for 3 to 5 days. During this time, embryologists monitor their growth and development.
- Embryo Transfer: The healthiest embryo(s) are selected and transferred into the woman’s uterus. This is a simple procedure in which a thin catheter is passed through the cervix into the uterus to deposit the embryo(s).
As a general guideline to balance success rates with safety, not more than 2 embryos are typically transferred in one cycle. The final decision on the number of embryos to transfer is made carefully, considering the patient’s age, the quality of the embryos, and the history of any previous IVF attempts.
Transfers are frequently done at the blastocyst stage (day 5 of embryo development), as these more developed embryos often have a higher implantation potential. To minimize the health risks associated with multiple pregnancies (like twins or triplets), the goal is often a Single Embryo Transfer (SET), where one high-quality blastocyst is transferred.
Progesterone medication is often prescribed after embryo transfer to help prepare the uterine lining for implantation and support early pregnancy.
After the Procedure
Following the embryo transfer, there’s a “two-week wait” before a pregnancy test can reliably detect pregnancy.
- Rest and Activity: Light to moderate activity is generally fine. Vigorous exercise should usually be avoided. Your doctor will provide specific instructions.
- Medications: Continue any prescribed medications, such as progesterone.
- Symptoms: Some women experience mild cramping, bloating, or light spotting. These can be due to the procedure or early signs of pregnancy, but they can also occur if the cycle is unsuccessful. It is important to report any symptoms you experience to your doctor or fertility specialist for guidance.
- Pregnancy Test: A blood test (hCG test) is typically scheduled about 9-14 days after the embryo transfer to determine if pregnancy has occurred.
Positive Pregnancy Test
A positive pregnancy test after IVF is a joyous moment.
- Confirmation: Your clinic will likely confirm the pregnancy with blood tests to measure hCG levels and then schedule an ultrasound scan around 6-8 weeks to check for a fetal heartbeat and confirm the viability and location of the pregnancy.
- Continued Care: You will typically remain under the care of the fertility clinic for the first 8-10 weeks of pregnancy before transitioning to a regular obstetrician.
- Medication: You may need to continue medications like progesterone for several more weeks to support the pregnancy.
Negative Pregnancy Test
Receiving a negative pregnancy test after an IVF cycle can be incredibly disappointing and emotionally challenging.
- Support: Allow yourself time to grieve. Seek support from your partner, family, friends, or a counsellor.
- Consultation with Doctor: Schedule a follow-up appointment with your fertility specialist. They will review the cycle, discuss potential reasons why it may not have been successful, and explore options for the future.
- Further Testing: Additional tests might be recommended.
- Future Cycles: You might consider another IVF cycle. Sometimes adjustments to the protocol can improve chances in subsequent attempts.
- Other Options: Depending on your situation, other options like using donor eggs/sperm, surrogacy, or considering adoption might be discussed.
- Delayed Period: Sometimes, even with a negative test, your period might be delayed due to the hormonal medications used during IVF. It’s important to discuss this with your doctor.
IVF Success Rate
IVF success rates depend most significantly on the woman’s age (as egg quality and quantity decline with age), the cause of infertility, embryo quality, uterine health, lifestyle factors, and the expertise of the clinic.
- Average IVF Success Rate: Globally, for women under 35, the average live birth rate per IVF cycle can be around 35-40%, decreasing with increasing age.
- Women under 35: ~40-50%
- Women aged 35-37: ~30-40%
- Women aged 38-40: ~20-25%
- Women over 40: ~10-15% or lower.
- IVF Success Rate in India: The average IVF success rate in India is generally reported to be between 30% to 40%.
- IVF Success Rate at Ferty9: Ferty9 reports a consistent overall success rate of 60% to 70%.
Ferty9 focuses on diminishing ovarian reserve, embryo quality, uterine health, the number of IVF cycles, individual fertility issues, and lifestyle choices. They mention a general success rate of 60-65% for Indian women between 24 and 35 at their clinics. It is a high figure and likely refers to pregnancy rates per cycle or cumulative rates over multiple cycles for this age group. Consult with the clinic for personalized success rate discussions based on your specific conditions.
IVF Risks
While IVF is generally safe, like any medical procedure, it carries some risks:
- Ovarian Hyperstimulation Syndrome (OHSS): A rare but potentially serious complication where the ovaries become swollen and painful due to fertility drugs. Symptoms can range from mild (bloating, nausea) to severe (rapid weight gain, shortness of breath, blood clots). Careful monitoring helps prevent severe OHSS.
- Multiple Pregnancies: Transferring more than one embryo increases the chance of twins, triplets, or higher-order multiples. Multiple pregnancies carry higher risks for both mother and babies (e.g., premature delivery, low birth weight).
- Egg Retrieval Complications: Risks include bleeding, infection, or damage to the bowel or bladder, though these are rare.
- Ectopic Pregnancy: A small risk that the embryo implants outside the uterus, usually in a fallopian tube. This is a non-viable pregnancy and requires medical treatment.
- Miscarriage: The rate of miscarriage after IVF is similar to that of natural conception, increasing with maternal age.
- Emotional and Psychological Stress: The IVF process can be emotionally and physically demanding.
- Birth Defects: The risk of birth defects in IVF babies is generally considered to be low and comparable to that in naturally conceived babies.
IVF Cost
The cost of IVF can vary significantly based on the specific procedures required (e.g., ICSI, PGT, donor eggs/sperm, embryo freezing) and the number of cycles needed.
IVF Cost in India
On average, a single IVF cycle in India can range from ₹1.5 lakhs to ₹3,00,000 or even more per cycle. This base cost may not include medications, diagnostic tests, and ICSI (if needed), or additional procedures like, PGT, embryo freezing, or donor services, which can add to the overall expense.
IVF Cost at Ferty9
For those considering Ferty9 fertility center, the pricing structure is more specific. The cost for a standard IVF cycle (includes ICSI if needed) typically ranges from INR 1.5 lakhs to INR 2 lakhs. Additional costs for services like embryo freezing (around INR 25,000 per straw per year), sperm freezing (around INR 6,000 per sample for 6 months), and PGT can apply.
To get the most accurate and personalized financial information, it is always strongly recommended to obtain a comprehensive and detailed cost breakdown directly from the Ferty9 fertility center, tailored to your unique medical circumstances and treatment plan.
Our Clinic Locations
Andhra Pradesh
IVF Treatment in Visakhapatnam / IVF Treatment in Vijayawada / IVF Treatment in Rajahmundry / IVF Treatment in Tirupati / IVF Treatment in Kurnool
Telangana
IVF Treatment in Kukatpally / IVF Treatment in Lb Nagar / IVF Treatment in Secunderabad / IVF Treatment in Banjara Hills / IVF Treatment in Karimnagar / IVF Treatment in Warangal
Videos on IVF Treatment
Explore our extensive playlist of over 20 videos, including Telugu content, covering all facets of IVF treatment.
HAVE MORE QUERIES ABOUT IVF AND ITS TREATMENTS? ASK OUR EXPERTS
Contact UsFAQ's
IVF (In Vitro Fertilization): Eggs are retrieved from the ovaries and fertilized by sperm outside the body, in a lab. The resulting embryo is then transferred into the uterus.
– Why is IVF particularly suggested for me?
– What are my personal chances of success with IVF (based on age, diagnosis, etc.)?
– What is the estimated cost of one complete cycle, including medications and procedures?
– What are the potential risks and side effects of the medications and procedures?
– How many embryos do you recommend transferring and why?
– What is the clinic's success rate for cases like mine?
– What support services (e.g., counselling) are available?
– Ovarian Stimulation Drugs: Help the ovaries produce multiple eggs (e.g., FSH, hMG).
– Ovulation Prevention Drugs: Prevent premature ovulation (e.g., GnRH agonists or antagonists).
– Trigger Shot: Stimulates final egg maturation before retrieval (e.g., hCG).
– Progesterone: Prepares the uterine lining for embryo implantation and supports early pregnancy.
– Egg Retrieval: Done under sedation or light anesthesia, typically pain-free. Some cramping may occur afterward.
– Embryo Transfer: A quick and usually painless procedure, similar to a Pap smear. Some women may feel mild cramping.
– Emotionally: A failed IVF cycle can be emotionally tough. Feelings of sadness, anger, or grief are common. Emotional support or counselling is recommended.
