In Vitro Fertilization (IVF): Treatment Overview

In vitro fertilization is a process where an egg is removed from the ovaries and fertilized with sperm in a laboratory¹. The resulting embryo is then returned to the womb to grow and develop¹.

In vitro fertilization, or IVF, is a medical procedure that involves creating a pregnancy outside the body². The process brings together an egg and sperm in a laboratory setting, allowing fertilization to occur before the resulting embryo is placed into the womb^1,2. This guide explains the steps of IVF treatment based on information from official medical sources.

What IVF Is

IVF is the joining of a woman's egg and a man's sperm in a laboratory dish². This procedure uses special medical techniques to help a woman become pregnant².

Preparing for Egg Retrieval

Before eggs are collected, the woman's body is prepared using fertility medicines to boost egg production². These medicines tell the ovaries to produce several eggs, whereas normally a woman produces only one egg per month². In some cases, the menstrual cycle is suppressed with medication, and ultrasound scans are used to check the development of the eggs while further medication helps them mature¹. The eggs are then removed from the woman's body through a minor surgery called follicular aspiration².

Egg Collection and Fertilization

During the retrieval procedure, a provider uses ultrasound images as a guide to insert a thin needle through the vagina into the ovary and the follicles containing the eggs². A suction device is then used to pull the eggs and fluid out of each follicle, one at a time². The eggs are then mixed with sperm for a few days to allow fertilization to occur¹. If the provider thinks the chance of fertilization is low, the sperm may be directly injected into the egg using a technique called intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI)². Once the egg is fertilized, it divides and becomes an embryo². Laboratory staff regularly check the embryo to ensure it is growing properly, and within about five days, a normal embryo has several cells that are actively dividing².

Embryo Transfer

Embryos are placed into the woman's womb 3 to 5 days after egg retrieval and fertilization². The provider performs this procedure in the office while the woman is awake². A thin tube called a catheter containing the embryos is inserted into the woman's vagina, through the cervix, and up into the womb². One or two fertilised eggs, known as embryos, are typically placed into the womb¹. More than one embryo may be placed into the womb at the same time, which can lead to twins, triplets, or more².

After Embryo Transfer

Following the placement of the embryo in the womb, the woman may be told to rest for the remainder of the day². Women who undergo IVF must take daily shots or pills of the hormone progesterone for 8 to 10 weeks after the embryo transfer². Progesterone is a hormone produced naturally by the ovaries that prepares the lining of the uterus so that an embryo can attach and helps an implanted embryo grow and become established². This hormone support may continue for 8 to 12 weeks after becoming pregnant². A pregnancy test is taken about 12 to 14 days after the embryo transfer to see if the treatment has worked^1,2.

Frequently asked questions

Can IVF use donor eggs or sperm?

The procedure can be carried out using eggs and sperm from donors¹. Donated eggs may be used if a woman does not or cannot produce any eggs².

What is intracytoplasmic sperm injection and when is it used?

Intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) is a technique where the sperm is directly injected into the egg². It is used if the provider thinks the chance of fertilization is low².

What can be done with embryos that are not used immediately?

Unused embryos may be frozen and then implanted or donated at a later date².

Is genetic screening available during IVF?

Pre-implantation genetic diagnosis (PGD) allows laboratory scientists to remove a single cell or cells from each embryo 3 to 5 days after fertilization to screen for specific genetic disorders².

Like any medical procedure, it carries risks; talk it over with a doctor.

Sources

1. NHS — NHS
2. MedlinePlus (NIH) — MedlinePlus (NIH)