What is the procedure of IVF?

IVF has turned out to be a great boon for all those couples who are having trouble conceiving a child through natural means. The trauma of not being able to get pregnant naturally is removed by the discovery of in vitro fertilisation. It is a complex procedure and needs to be carried out properly to achieve success. It is done in the following steps:

• STEP 1: Before the actual IVF treatment, the woman is put on birth control pills. It improves the chances for pregnancy and also prevents ovarian hyper stimulation.
• STEP 2: The treatment begins as soon as you get your periods. Blood tests and ultrasound will be arranged for the woman to ensure the oestrogen level in the body the size of the ovary and whether the ovaries have any cysts or not.  The ovaries need to be inactive.
• STEP 3: When the blood tests and ultrasound was found to be normal, fertility drugs are administered which stimulate the ovaries. Generally 1 to 4 injections are required each day for about a week.
• STEP 4: In this step, the oocytes are activated to lead them to the last maturation stage. The trigger shot needs to be given at the right time.
• STEP 5: The egg is retrieved exactly after 3 days of administering the hCG injection. The oocytes are collected using a needle.
• STEP 6: The retrieved eggs are then analysed and checked for any problems and their maturity. Then they are fertilised artificially in the lab.
• STEP 7: After 5 days from the retrieval of the egg, the fertilised egg is returned to the uterus using a catheter. The woman is kept in bed for a few hours after the transmission is made.
• STEP 8: A pregnancy test is taken two weeks after the embryo transfer is made. The woman is put on progesterone supplements if the result is positive.