IVF Frequently Asked Questions
At the start of IVF treatment, expecting may have many doubts about the process. We have tried to answer all what IVF Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) patients usually ask from fertility experts at Dr IVF.
Yes, IVF is a procedure used to help you get pregnant. Before implanting into the uterus, the egg is fertilized with sperm in a laboratory. And the pregnancy begins once the fertilized egg successfully implants in the uterus.
IVF is a multistep process that requires some time and patience. It can take weeks or months, depending on various important factors such as age, fertility, etc. Generally, women under 35 years of age get pregnant with their first IVF egg retrieval.
IVF babies survive but have a 45% higher risk of dying in their first year than naturally conceived babies. However, the risk decreases as the child grows. The risk depends on factors like the type of ART and the child’s current age.
IVF is used by couples who cannot become pregnant naturally. It is the treatment used to treat many infertility issues or when one partner has severe male infertility. Some couples use it when other fertility methods have failed. It is also an option for same-sex couples or without partner people who want to have a baby.
IVF is more successful on the first try for women younger than 35 years of age which is 55%.
Yes, intended parents can determine the gender with IVF through PGD/PGS/PGT-A, which is almost 100% accurate.
IVF babies are mostly boys than a girl. It increases the odds of a boy from 51 in 100 to 56 in 100 when conceived with IVF.
The following are the risks and disadvantages of IVF: –
- The risk of multiple births increases if more than one embryo is transferred.
- Low birth width
- Premature delivery
- Changes of miscarriage
- Ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome
- Increases the chances of ectopic pregnancy
- Congenital disabilities
- Cancer
- Complications in the egg retrieval process.
Louise Joy Brown is an English woman who is the oldest IVF baby born after conception by IVF. This was the most remarkable medical breakthrough of the 20th century.
A baby conceived within IVF is also termed a test tube baby.
There is no prescribed upper age limit for IVF. It can be done in women in their late 40s or 50s, but the success rate decreases with age, and other pregnancy risks and complications increase. So, it is better to get it done by the early to mid-40s.
Heterosexual parents may be able to hide the fact that their baby was born via IVF, but it is not possible for same-sex or single parents. As per experts, parents should tell their children about their origins when the time is correct so that they can understand.
It depends on the egg is taken from the intended mother or a donor egg. If it is from the donor egg, it will not resemble a mother. However, if the sperm is taken from the father, they may look like a father because they share the same genetics.
There is no difference in growth and development. The most significant difference is in the DNA binding compound found at birth in children conceived by IVF.
Yes, IVF babies are high risk because pregnancies after infertility treatment mainly assisted reproduction, increase the chances of conditions like high blood pressure, preeclampsia, growth retardation, and bleeding.
More eggs are generally needed in IVF because the pregnancy rate is higher with more eggs. Even if there is no issue in ovulation, fertility drugs are given to produce more eggs, and 10 to 20 eggs are retrieved for IVF.
Women who are above 35 years of age and have been trying to conceive for more than one year through regular unprotected sex have not been able to get pregnant. It is also the best option for couples who have failed other fertility treatments like IUI, etc.
Depending on your treatment plan and body fertility, specialists prescribe the medications as injections. These injections can carry from one-two for the complete cycle to one-two per day.
Travelling does not impact IVF pregnancy rates. However, if you are worried about embryo transfer, you prefer travelling by air because air travel does not affect the pregnancy rate or an IVF cycle.
You can prepare yourself for IVF by following a healthy and well-balanced diet, maintaining a healthy weight, avoiding drinking alcohol and recreational drugs, avoiding smoking, etc.
The most crucial step in IVF is ovarian stimulation. This is one of the essential steps in IVF because good-quality oocytes only lead to a healthy embryo and increased birth rates.
The hardest part of IVF is the 10 to 14 days wait. This is the period between the transfer and pregnancy test result because, after that, only one can get confirmation that their IVF is successful.
One can increase their chance of IVF success by following the
- Healthy weight
- Reducing stress
- Maintain sperm health
- Quit smoking
- Take supplements
- Take vitamin D if you don’t have its adequate amount in the body
One can try Ovarian stimulation medications, Intrauterine Insemination, and laparoscopy before the IVF treatment.
Spring is considered the best for IVF because, this month, the neurons in the brain produce higher levels of gonadotropin-releasing hormones (GnRH), increasing the success rate.
One of the causes of IVF failure is lousy embryo quality. It can be because of multiple factors, such as a defective uterus or eggs.
Following are the factors that affect the IVF success rate: –
- Age
- Lifestyle
- Quality of egg, sperm, and embryo
- History of Previous Pregnancy
- Controlled Ovarian Stimulation Protocol
- Uterine or Endometrial Receptivity
- Embryo Transfer
- Importance of an IVF Incubator
IVF is most successful in womens who are younger. It is usually recommended in women below the age of 42 because, after that, the chances of successful pregnancy are meagre.
Women aged 24 to 34 have the highest chance of IVF success because this is when womens are most fertile. The success rate drops with growing age.
Following are the steps involved in IVF
- Step 1: Ovarian stimulation
- Step 2: Egg Retrieval.
- Step 3: Fertilization and Embryo Culture.
- Step 4: Assess the embryo Quality. There are several criteria used to assess embryo quality.
- Step 5: Embryo Transfer.
No IVF is not a painful process. However, before the transfer, you may take an oral sedative to relax the cervix. You may feel abdominal cramping after the transfer for a day or two.
The cost can range from Rs 60,000 to Rs 1,00,000 for a single cycle. And if more than one treatment cycle is required, the price may vary from Rs 120,000 to Rs 3,000,000 or even more.
Eggs are collected under ultrasound guidance using a needle passed through the vagina into each ovary. This procedure is minor and takes about 15 to 20 minutes. You may experience cramps or slight vaginal bleeding after the procedure.
Women have approximately one million eggs at birth, which decreases to about 3,00,000 at puberty. And of these, only 300 to 400 ovulate during a women’s reproductive lifetime. Women’s fertility declines with age because of the decreasing number and quality of eggs.
No, you are not put to sleep for IVF. Doctors use an IV anaesthetic during egg retrieval, which makes you feel comfortable. You will feel a little cloudy because of anaesthesia but will be awake.
After the embryo transfer, the first 24 hours are critical because, within this time frame, the embryo attaches to the uterus wall, which may take several days. Therefore, you should be at home and stress-free for the first two days.
Sperm 10 x 10/ml, in which a minimum of 30% are motile, and 15% have progressive motility required for IVF. However, with lower parameters also, pregnancy can be achieved.
A biological mother of an IVF is a woman whose egg was fertilized, whereas a gestational surrogate is called the birth mother.
Yes, IVF babies can be delivered naturally but should be treated as a high-risk labor cases.
One can store their eggs, sperm, or embryos for ten years; however, if you want extended storage, you can discuss it with your doctor.
It is advised that one should allow rest to their body for atleast two months before commencing another cycle.
Pregnancy scans typically occur two weeks after a positive pregnancy test and at four weeks.
The chances of one’s success depend on many factors, such as age, lifestyle, medical history, etc.
After the embryo transfer, it is recommended to avoid lifting any heavy objects or strenuous exercise for atleast two weeks. Otherwise, one can return to routine immediately.
Yes, it would help if you had a full bladder for embryo transfer because it helps provide a more precise scan and ease the embryo transfer process in the uterus.
You can deliver the sperm sample by masturbation and produce it at the clinic. Producing the sperm in the clinic ensures that it won’t be affected by any external factors before testing.
And in case you have difficulty producing a sample at the clinic, you can make it at home or a nearby hotel and transport it within an hour to the clinic to maintain its viability.
The quality of sperm can be improved by changing your lifestyle, stopping smoking, and reducing your alcohol intake. You can also take supplements containing Vitamin C, Vitamin E, Zinc, and selenium or foods rich in these minerals and vitamins.
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