What is IVF? What are the stages?

Overview of IVF Treatment

The basic principle of IVF treatment is the fertilization of male and female reproductive cells (a woman's egg and a man's sperm) outside the body. The founder of modern IVF treatment is Robert G. Edwards. The first baby born as a result of IVF procedure (Louise Brown) was born in England in 1978. Since 1971, all applications related to in vitro fertilization form the basis of today's in vitro fertilization technique. While the developments regarding in vitro fertilization continue rapidly in the world, it has not been indifferent to the studies on in vitro fertilization in our country and has started to implement progressive in vitro fertilization methods. As a result, in 1989, the first IVF was delivered at Ege University.

Latest Technological Advances in IVF Treatment

IVF treatment techniques have developed day by day, allowing them to enter our lives with new methods. These latest technological developments have been implemented based on the factors affecting the success rate of IVF treatment. To briefly mention these developments;

- Testicular biopsy performed under the microscope (Microtese)
- The technique of examining the embryos of couples with genetic problems and selecting healthy ones among them is PGD (Preimplantation Genetic Diagnosis)
- The technique of thinning the embryo wall with the help of laser (Assisted Hatching)
- The process of freezing embryos, sperm and eggs for later use (Frozen)
- Technique applied to follow the development of the embryo under the camera and to select the healthy ones (Embryoscope)

What Are the Steps of the IVF Method?

Step 1 (Initial examination and couple assessment)

The couple's previous treatments and stories such as pregnancy, childbirth and miscarriage are listened to. If any, old analysis and examination results are evaluated. - Any surgical report or note
- Sperm analysis
- Female and male blood tests
- Reports of previous treatments
- Uterus movie
- Chromosome analysis
- Reports on other diseases
According to all these data, IVF treatment is planned and the day of treatment is determined.

Step 2 (Stimulating the ovaries and creating eggs)

Egg-enhancing drugs (needle therapy) are applied to select good embryos in the ovaries and place them in the uterus and create a large number of eggs. Drug dosage and treatment process vary according to the patient's age and egg reserve. It takes 8-12 days on average.

Step 3 (Egg collection)

The developing eggs are collected under anesthesia and stored for fertilization under laboratory conditions. Meanwhile, the male also gives sperm. Just like in the sperm analysis, sperm is taken by masturbation. Sperm is taken from men who cannot give sperm with the micro TESE method. On average, this process takes half an hour. For the sperm sample to be given on the day of egg collection, the man should do a sexual abstinence for 2-4 days. This period should not be longer than 7 days.

Step 4 IVF or microinjection (ICSI) application

*Classical IVF-IVF (In Vitro Fertilization): It was a technique used in the early years of IVF, when microinjection had not yet been discovered. In recent years, since fertilization rates are lower than ICSI, it has become an undesirable IVF technique.

*Microinjection (ICSI): It is the injection of sperm directly into the egg through a pipette under the microscope. Microinjection (ICSI) method is widely used in IVF treatment today. The purpose of microinjection is to increase fertilization to high rates by meeting the egg with the sperm one by one. Microinjection is widely used, especially in severe male infertility.

After the sperm taken from the man and the egg taken from the woman are combined under the microscope, they are followed up to the 6th day according to their development in the devices we call the incubator, which resembles the body environment.

Step 5 (Embryo transfer)

Fertilized eggs stored in the laboratory for two to six days are painlessly placed in the uterus with the help of a special catheter. This process takes 5-10 minutes. Sexual intercourse is not recommended until the pregnancy test. Paracetamol group drugs can be used as pain relievers. You can take a bath in the form of a warm shower 1 day after the transfer.

Step 6 (Pregnancy test)

A pregnancy test is performed 12 days after the transfer process, and it is learned whether pregnancy has occurred or not. This test is a blood test called BHCG in the blood that does not require fasting and satiety.
The patient is called for ultrasound control 1 week to 10 days after pregnancy is detected. Patients living outside the city or abroad, on the other hand, have their controls done at their location and provide information. Although it is a normal pregnancy after conception, we do not stop the drug support we use, especially in the first 3 months.

IVF

• IVF
• What is IVF, What are its Stages?
• Sperm Analysis
• Sperm Preparation Methods
• Sperm Chip (Micro Chip)
• Microinjection – ICSI
• Embryo Freezing and Thawing
• Blastocyst Transfer
• Assisted Hatching
• IMSI
• Embryoscope (Embryoscope)
• Surgical Sperm Search Techniques – TESE, PESA, MESA
• Egg Freezing
• Preimplantation Genetic Diagnosis – PGD, PGS
• Endoscopic Surgery