Some couples want to use assisted reproductive techniques to achieve a dream of becoming a mother and father, and it is good to know that they are not the only ones who have decided to go this route. This is my successful experience with IVF in detail.
What should be done before IVF?
Before knowing my successful experience with Test tube babies In detail, here is some information about the IVF process.
IVF, known as in vitro fertilization, is an effective technique to help treat infertility, and involves a series of complex procedures, which include:
- Extracting or extracting mature eggs from the wife's ovaries.
- Fertilization of the egg with sperm from the husband in the laboratory.
- Transferring the fertilized egg or eggs, now called embryos, to the uterus.
Pre-operative advice includes advice before egg retrieval and advice before embryo transfer, and includes the following:
- Adherence to medications that stimulate the fertilization process two weeks before the operation;
- Commitment to taking human chorionic gonadotropin injection doses;
- Do not take any medications such as ibuprofen, naproxen, or acetaminophen before the procedure.
- 8-10 hours before the operation, do not eat or drink anything;
- Get rid of any things that hinder movement or hinder the work of the medical team, such as: jewelry, nail polish, or any traces of creams and perfumes.
- Urinating and emptying the bladder before the operation.
- Follow a healthy diet before undergoing IVF, as it contains important nutrients to improve general health and maintain weight within the ideal range.
- Stop smoking, drinking alcoholic beverages and drugs.
- Commitment to taking nutritional supplements that the doctor prescribes for some couples, in order to improve egg production and improve semen quality.
- The wife took folic acid pills for 3 months before starting the program.
Tips for the success of the IVF process
I was always searching for advice that would help me in the success of the IVF process, and through my successful experience with IVF in detail, I can point out some tips.
Following a healthy lifestyle helps spouses who qualify for IVF increase their chances of successful treatment. The most important tips for the success of the IVF process include the following:
- اتباع نظام غذائي صحي.
- Exercise to maintain an appropriate weight.
- عدم الإفراط في تناول الكافيين.
- Avoid smoking and drinking alcohol.
- Get enough sleep.
- The husband follows a diet to enhance sperm health.
- Commitment to taking nutritional supplements.
- Reduce stress level and think positively.
- Stay away from chemicals.
- Abstaining from sexual intercourse 3 to 4 days before the sperm collection process.
- Choosing the right doctor, treatment center or hospital to increase the chances of IVF success.
Read also: How is it done? Having IVF؟ وأهم النصائح لنجاحها
The success rate of IVF from the first time
- Studies indicate that the success rate of IVF from the first time of IVF cycles is about 29.5%.
- While the success rate of IVF for the second and third times was higher than 20%, so was the success rate of IVF for the fourth time.
- While the sixth time, the success rate of IVF reached 65.3%, and contrary to popular belief, the chances of success continue to increase with more attempts.
But in reality, the high cost of IVF, in addition to the psychological distress that couples suffer due to lack of success, is a major obstacle that makes multiple IVF attempts difficult to achieve.
The success rate of IVF at the age of thirty
In general, IVF is successful, especially for women under 35, but as age increases, success rates tend to decrease.
The Center for Disease Control issued a 2017 IVF success rate for each egg retrieval, which is as follows:
- The success rate in women younger than 35 years is 54.5%.
- The success rate for women between 35 and 37 years old is 41.1%.
- For women between 38 and 40 years old, the success rate is 26.7%.
- For women between 41 and 42 years old, the success rate is 13.8%.
- For women aged 43 years and older, the success rate is 4.2%.
The success rate of IVF at the age of 40
There are many factors that determine the success of the IVF process, and these factors greatly affect the success rate. The most important of these factors is age. The reasons for the success of the IVF process may include:
- The effect of age on the success of IVF: The IVF process for women over the age of forty poses a challenge to the doctor regarding the success rate, because it is completely different from what is done for younger women who have greater chances of success.
- The effect of age on egg quality: Egg quality and quality decrease greatly with age.
- The effect of age on the number of eggs: As the number of eggs in the ovaries decreases with age, there is less or no ovulation.
- The impact of fertility problems: Factors such as uterine deformities or fibroids in women affect the success rate of IVF. Also, some infertility problems in men may reduce the possibility of success. In cases where both the wife and husband are infertile, the success rate of IVF is very low.
- Effect of recurrent miscarriage: Having a history of recurrent miscarriage is a reason for caution even before starting treatment, and the success rate of IVF is low in such cases.
- Influence of lifestyle: In some cases, lifestyle and daily habits play a role in the success of the IVF process.
My second experience with IVF
One of the women narrates her experience with IVF under the title My Successful Experience with IVF in Detail, in order to encourage couples not to lose hope. She says:
I was late in getting pregnant for 3 years, and after many tests and analysis, the doctor discovered that my egg did not mature, that is, it did not grow to the appropriate size for fertilization. He also discovered that I had polycystic ovary syndrome, so the doctor advised me to have in vitro fertilization.
I followed the treatment plan and medications with the doctor before the egg retrieval process, and when the ultrasound was scheduled to check the size of the eggs, everything was as the doctor planned, and the size was excellent. He wrote for me on the explosive needle at 12 o’clock at night.
The explosive needle was 3 needles at the same time, and I had to take it at the exact time, and the doctor told me that the best place was in the abdomen.
After 34 hours, the doctor decided to perform the withdrawal procedure. In the morning, at 10 o’clock, I entered the hospital and my husband and I signed the papers. The nurses helped me prepare for the operation. The nurse asked me to empty my bladder. Then I entered the operating room.
Of course, the operation was under full anesthesia. After the operation, the pain was very mild. After the operation, the pain would come and go, and it would increase during sleep (like menstrual pain), and I would sleep on my back and try to rest.
The doctor advised me to avoid fatty foods and drink a lot of milk for a week. After that, I set a date for the embryo transfer surgery with my husband and the doctor, and it was also done under anesthesia, and I followed all of the doctor’s instructions after that.
Thank God that the pregnancy was successful the first time, but unfortunately the pregnancy lasted only 3 months, and after that I was very frustrated and we stopped trying, but after 4 and a half years I had in vitro fertilization again, and thank God I succeeded and gave birth to twins, and I am now thinking about doing it again.
Book your consultation now at مركز الخصوبة At Al Mousa Specialist Hospital.
When is intercourse allowed after IVF?
The doctor advises avoiding sexual intercourse after embryo transfer for a period of no less than a full week. It is better to avoid sexual intercourse for two weeks in more serious cases.
This is because after the operation, the vaginal area needs complete rest, and pressure on the pelvic area and uterus, and sudden movements, increase the risk of the fertilized egg not implanting in the uterine wall.
In general, the doctor also advises avoiding foreplay after returning the embryos for the same reasons related to intercourse, but if foreplay is limited to some simple movements that do not include pressure on the pelvic area, and also do not include sudden physical movements, then there is nothing wrong with it, as this does not affect the chances of a successful pregnancy.
It is worth noting that some doctors advise during the period after the IVF operation to get adequate rest as much as possible, and you must be aware that it is normal for minor bleeding to occur these days, but if the bleeding is severe and leads to a complete sanitary pad being covered within one hour, then in this case you should see a doctor immediately.
How long does it take to rest after IVF?
Through my successful experience with IVF in detail, I did not find any studies confirming the existence of a specific period after pregnancy with IVF during which an adequate amount of rest must be taken, knowing that some doctors recommend taking an adequate amount of rest and lying down for two weeks after the embryo is implanted in the uterus, and the following must be taken into account:
- Movement and light activities do not cause pregnancy loss.
- Thus, in a normal pregnancy, the fetus is completely and completely protected.
- All usual activities can be resumed within 48 hours.
- Anxiety and stress should be avoided.
In conclusion, the goal of detailing my successful experience with IVF is to encourage many couples to consider the IVF process, which is one of the successful options for solving the problems of infertility and childlessness among many women and men.
You can now book your appointment at the Fertility Center at Al Mousa Specialist Hospital with an elite group of experts and specialists in the field of ICSI and IVF.
Sources and references
My journey through fertility treatments – rcog
In vitro fertilization – mayoclinic
