IVF is a long process and may take several months to be complete. Although this procedure will increase your chances of getting pregnant, there’s still no guarantee that it will all be effective to all.
Before performing IVF procedures, you and your partner must first undergo a series of tests such as Semen analysis, Ovarian reserve testing, Infectious disease screening, Mock embryo transfer, and Uterine cavity exam.
After the screening, both of you will now undergo IVF procedures:
Fertility medications - these are prescribed medications to stimulate your ovaries to increase your egg production. Multiple eggs must be produced because it is expected that some eggs will not develop or be fertilized after retrieval. During this stage, a transvaginal ultrasound is used to check the ovaries and also a blood test will be administered to check your hormone levels. Your eggs will be collected through minor surgery. This procedure will be done by using the latest ultrasound technology to guide a needle in each of your ovaries for egg extraction. Usually, propofol-based anesthesia will be used while you undergo the procedure.
Sperm sample - Your partner will now be asked to produce a sperm sample that will be combined with your extracted eggs for fertilization. If you will be using donated sperm, it will be removed from being frozen and will be prepared the same way.
Insemination - In this procedure, the eggs and sperm will be mixed together and be stored in a laboratory dish to undergo fertilization. If in case there is a low possibility of fertilization, intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) may be used. By doing this, a single sperm will be directly injected into the egg; the eggs will be closely monitored if fertilization will occur.
Embryo Transfer- Once fertilization is successful, cell division will take place; fertilized eggs are now called embryos. These embryos will now be transferred to your uterus 3-5 days upon egg retrieval and fertilization. For women under 40, one or two embryos can be transferred and for women aged 40 and above, a maximum of 3 embryos can be transferred. The number of embryos to be transferred must be restricted to prevent the risks of multiple births.