A scientific development that plants hope in hearts that have waited for a long time. In vitro fertilization is a dream that haunts many couples who long for a child’s laughter to fill their home, and a small touch that gives them indescribable joy.

What is the IVF process?

If you are considering fertility treatment, you have surely heard about IVF as one of the most popular and effective options available.

In Vitro Fertilization (IVF) means the process of artificial insemination, which is an advanced medical technology that involves fertilizing eggs with a large number of sperm outside the body in the laboratory in a special environment, then waiting for fertilization to occur and the formation of several embryos, and then transferring one or two of these embryos into the uterus to continue their growth.

These complex procedures offer hope to individuals and couples suffering from various infertility issues.

You may also be interested in: My successful experience with IVF

Steps of the IVF process in detail

The IVF process usually consists of several main steps, which we will mention to you in detail.

• Ovarian stimulation

It is the first step that includes giving fertility medications;

The medications used at this stage, which often contain follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), help increase the chances of successful insemination later.

During this phase, the doctor closely monitors the patient's ovaries through ultrasound and blood tests to evaluate response to medications and ensure optimal egg development.

The dosage and duration of medication may vary based on individual factors, such as age, medical history, and response to previous IVF cycles.

• Egg retrieval

The patient is given a hormonal injection at this stage to help the eggs mature quickly, and then once the eggs mature, egg retrieval occurs, which is a simple surgical procedure performed under light anesthesia in the clinic.

Using ultrasound, a thin needle is inserted through the vagina into each ovary to collect eggs. 

The eggs are then placed in a special solution and transferred to an incubator in the laboratory.

• Sperm collection and fertilization

While egg retrieval is being performed, the sperm donor father provides a new sperm sample.

After fertilization, the embryos must be carefully monitored in the laboratory for growth and development over the next five to six days.

• Embryo transfer

The selected embryos are transferred approximately three to five days after fertilization into the woman's uterus. 

The number of embryos transferred depends on various factors, such as the woman's age and the quality of the embryos.

Embryo transfer is a quick and painless procedure that can be performed in the clinic, after which the doctor prescribes hormonal medications that support the uterine lining and increase the chances of successful implantation.

• Pregnancy testing and follow-up

About two weeks after the embryo transfer, a pregnancy test using blood or urine should be performed. 

A positive result indicates that the embryos have implanted, and the woman is considered clinically pregnant.

After receiving a positive pregnancy test result, the patient will undergo regular monitoring through ultrasound examinations to ensure that the pregnancy is progressing well. 

The health care team will provide appropriate prenatal medical care to support a healthy pregnancy.

If the pregnancy test is negative, the patient will usually have a short period of rest to be sure, and further discussions with the health care team are necessary to determine next steps.

In some cases, frozen embryos from previous cycles can be transferred without the need for ovarian stimulation, providing another opportunity for a more rapid pregnancy.

When is IVF pregnancy confirmed?

In vitro fertilization pregnancy is usually confirmed about 12 to 14 days after the operation. At that time, a pregnancy test can be done to confirm the pregnancy and the success of the operation. As for detecting the health of the pregnancy and the proper formation of the fetus inside the uterus, it is done 3 weeks after confirming the pregnancy, i.e. the second month of pregnancy, in order to monitor the fetus’s pulse and reassure it. 

What is the difference between ICSI and IVF?

In the IVF process, the collected eggs are mixed with sperm in a laboratory dish and left to fertilize naturally, and then the best ones are selected and implanted in the uterus;

After that, the fertilized egg is implanted inside the wife's uterus, where it begins to develop naturally to form the fetus.

Alternatively, intra-oocyte sperm injection (ICSI) can be performed if there are concerns about sperm quality or quantity. 

ICSI differs in that a single sperm is injected directly into each mature egg using a microscopic needle, to ensure optimal fertilization.

You can find out: My experience with the ICSI process in detail

IVF success rate

IVF success rates vary depending on several factors, including the woman's age, embryo quality, and the underlying cause of infertility. 

In general, younger women have higher success rates than older women.

Tips for the success of the IVF process

Madam, here are some of the most important tips for the success of the IVF process, provided by Al Mousa Specialist Hospital, which include tips before, during, and after the operation:

• Choose an accredited hospital with a good reputation and medical staff specialized in the IVF process.
• Follow all the instructions recommended by your doctor before the operation and perform the necessary examinations and tests.
• Abstaining from smoking completely for both husband and wife because it negatively affects the quality of sperm and eggs.
• Take nutritional supplements and medications that help stimulate ovulation and maintain healthy eggs before the procedure.
• Control stress and fear, reduce physical effort during the artificial insemination procedure, and follow doctors’ instructions carefully.
• After the operation, be sure to take the medications prescribed by the doctor, especially hormones that support pregnancy.
• Avoid sexual intercourse for a period after the operation, to prevent uterine contractions, which reduces the chance of a stable pregnancy.   
• Pay attention to healthy nutrition that contains the most important elements, especially folic acid, and be patient and calm until you know the result of the pregnancy test.

Do test tube babies not give birth?

No, this is a wrong belief and has no scientific evidence. In fact, test-tube babies can reproduce just like natural babies. There is no difference between a test-tube baby and a natural baby in the ability to get pregnant or have children in the future. Rather, what affects procreation are genetic genes, the mother’s health, and environmental factors that can affect fertility later on. 

Methods that led to an increase in the success rate of IVF

Among the most important methods that increased the success rate of IVF:

• Development of ovarian stimulation techniques:
  Which has become more precise than before, and works alongside a modified treatment protocol that helped achieve a balance in ovarian stimulation.
• Improving egg and sperm collection methods:
  Such as modern egg retrieval techniques through ultrasound, and techniques for selecting high-quality sperm to increase the chances of fertilization.
• Taking care of the mother’s health before and after the operation:
  There has been a great development in pre-treatment for the IVF process to improve the mother’s health, such as treating severe uterine infections and treating ovarian cysts, in addition to interest in creating a healthy nutritional schedule for the mother to improve the quality of the egg, which increases the success of the process.

Reasons for IVF failure

Although IVF is effective in treating infertility, there are several factors that may make this procedure more likely to fail.

• Poor sperm quality and abnormalities, which play a major role in fertilization and embryo development.
• Low level of anti-Mullerian hormone (AMH) in the body, which affects the quality of eggs and their ability to implant successfully.
• Implantation failure due to endometrial problems, immune conditions, or other factors.
• Poor quality of eggs and embryos, as weak eggs or embryos may not attach properly, leading to failure of the entire process.
• Egg age: As a woman ages, the quality and quantity of eggs decline, which affects the success of IVF treatment.
• Factors related to the IVF laboratory, such as embryo selection methods and the experience of the specialists, may affect the fertilization and the success of the process.
• Ovarian stimulation: Inadequate response to ovarian stimulation or inappropriate medication protocols may lead to failure of IVF cycles.
• Embryo transfer: Problems that occur during the embryo transfer process can affect the chances of successful implantation and pregnancy.
• Reproductive immunity: Increased activity of immune cells in the mother's body may lead to rejection of embryos, which contributes to repeated failure of IVF.

Understanding these factors helps couples work closely with fertility specialists;

The journey towards building a family is not necessarily a straight path, and some couples may have to take different paths to achieve the dream of parenthood.

Book your consultation now at مركز الخصوبة At Al Mousa Specialist Hospital

Frequently asked questions

Is the IVF procedure painful?

No, the IVF process is not painful. It may only cause some fatigue or discomfort depending on the nature of the body, but overall it is a completely safe process and does not cause pain.

When is intercourse allowed after IVF?

The doctor never recommends sexual intercourse for 14 days after the IVF procedure until the doctor is sure and reassured that the pregnancy is stable, in order to reduce pressure on the uterus and prevent contractions.

What is the appropriate age for IVF?

Doctors evaluate the appropriate age for IVF for the mother to be between 20 and 35 years, which is the stage in which the quality of the eggs is at its highest. As for the man, the sperm are not affected until the age of 50, after which their quality gradually declines.

Which is better, ICSI or IVF?

Only the doctor is the one who determines which is better, ICSI or IVF, for infertility. He chooses the most appropriate after diagnosing the general condition of the couple. If the infertility problem is related to sperm, ICSI may be useful in that case. If the problem is the chance of fertilizing the egg and weak sperm, he may choose the IVF technique. 

Medical sources

In vitro fertilization – mayoclinic

Tips for Boosting Your Chance of IVF Success – medparkhospital