Treatment procedures for infertility problem - IVF, in vitro fertilization(Part6)

Luteal support

After the embryo transfer, progesterone or hCG supplementation may help maintain your uterine lining (endometrium) to support the implantation and growth of the developing embryo.

 

 

IVF risks

-          Multiple pregnancies: Since each IVF therapy includes 2-3 embryos for implantation, multiple pregnancy may be resulted. Patients should consult their doctors when deciding the number of embryos to be transferred.

-          Ectopic pregnancy: ectopic pregnancy means the embryo is implanted in the fallopian tube, which may develop occasionally during IVF therapy.

-          Drug reaction: some people may be allergic to the fertility medications used in IVF therapy. However, one should be reminded that drug allergy is possible in all treatments.

-          Congenital defects: the risk associated with IVF is low. However, congenital defect is related to multiple factors, including genetic factors, the age of parents, chemical/radiation exposure, etc.

 

 

 

 

Reference: fertility.com.hk

The information aims to provide educational purpose only. Anyone reading it should consult obstetricians and gynecologists before considering treatment and should not rely on the information above.

Treatment procedures for infertility problem - IVF, in vitro fertilization(Part5)

Step Five - Embryo transfer This involves transporting the fertilized eggs (embryos) back to the uterus using a catheter and ultrasound. It is relatively simple, does not require anesthesia and takes only a few minutes.   Procedure Before the procedure begins, you doctor will consult you and your partner about the number of embryos to be transferred. It is common that several embryos, rather than one, are transferred to your uterine cavity to improve your chances for pregnancy.   To place the embryos into your uterus, a speculum is placed inside your vagina and a small catheter is inserted through your cervix into your uterine cavity where the embryos are placed through the catheter.  You may experience a slight discomfort during this procedure.   Once the embryo has been transferred successfully, you may receive a daily progesterone injection that helps to support the lining of your uterus to improve chances of implantation and maintaining a pregnancy.   Generally, you will know whether the treatment has been successful about 2 weeks after embryo transfer and this is done by a pregnancy blood test at the clinic. It is advised that you should not do a home pregnancy test before that time because some of the fertility medications may produce a false result if the test is conducted too early.     Selection of embryo Till now, there is no accurate method to select the “best” embryo. Selection is performed with bare eye observation only, so experienced embryologist is critical.       Reference: fertility.com.hk   The information aims to provide educational purpose only. Anyone reading it should consult obstetricians and gynecologists before considering treatment and should not rely on the information above.

Treatment procedures for infertility problem - IVF, in vitro fertilization(Part 4)

Step Three - Egg retrieval

Eggs should be ready to be collected after the completion of ovarian stimulation:

 

 

 

Step Four - Fertilization

It involves placing each egg into a dish with sperms and leaving the fertilized eggs (embryos) to culture in a special incubator where they can develop under an optimal environment.

 

Procedure

Around the time of egg retrieval, the male partner will be asked to provide a semen sample.

The semen is “washed” to remove the seminal fluid from the sperm, which are then incubated with the eggs for fertilization. 

 

On the next day, eggs are checked to see if they are fertilized and the fertilized eggs (embryos) will then be closely examine over the next few days by the embryologist to ensure a healthy development and to find out which embryos have the highest reproductive potential. 

 

Reference: fertility.com.hk

The information aims to provide educational purpose only. Anyone reading it should consult obstetricians and gynecologists before considering treatment and should not rely on the information above.

Treatment procedures for infertility problem - IVF, in vitro fertilization(Part 3)

IVF Process

Step One - Ovarian Downregulation

This is a preparation procedure that uses medications, such as Gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) agonist or GnRH antagonist to temporarily ‘switch off’ the messages going from the brain (pituitary gland) to the ovaries telling them to produce an egg on a monthly basis.

 

Pituitary gland, which is close to the front of your brain, is responsible for the normal functioning of your ovaries.

 

Suppressing the pituitary gland not only helps in achieving optimum ovarian stimulation, but most importantly it stops your ovaries from releasing premature eggs.

 

Ovarian downregulation is particularly helpful for women who respond poorly, or not at all, to the ovarian stimulating medications and therefore cannot take the full advantage of the IVF treatment. 

 

 

 

Step Two - Ovarian stimulation

This involves stimulating the development and the release of eggs using various infertility medications.

 Infertility medications like gonadotropins will be used to stimulate the growth of the follicles and eggs which will be retrieved for IVF procedure.

Your doctor will monitor you frequently during this time to make sure your follicles are developing properly and to identify the right time for egg retrieval. Once your follicles are developed, your doctor will retrieve the mature eggs.

 

What does it involve?

Your treatment will depend on your specify needs but it generally include following pathway:

 

Are there any restrictions of using hCG injection?
Sometimes hCG injection may be stopped because:

·           A lack of mature eggs for the IVF procedure such that the follicles may not have developed properly

·           Woman ovulates prematurely and the eggs cannot be retrieved

·           Woman develops too many follicles and doctor feels that it would be unsafe to give the hCG injection.

 

How long is ovarian stimulation?

It can be a lengthy process with a lot of your time devoting to attending appointments with your doctor and taking your medications at the right time. The length of ovarian stimulation will depend on your ovarian response during the treatment.

 

Reference: fertility.com.hk

The information aims to provide educational purpose only. Anyone reading it should consult obstetricians and gynecologists before considering treatment and should not rely on the information above.

 

Treatment procedures for infertility problem - IVF, in vitro fertilization(Part 2)

Who is recommended for IVF?

This technique is used mainly where a woman has no fallopian tubes or if they are blocked. It has also been used in dealing with some types of male infertility and where the cause of infertility is unknown. Eggs are taken from the woman's ovaries when judged to be ripe and before they are released naturally. It is then mixed with sperms in a dish (in vitro) so that fertilization can occur. Once the fertilized egg has started to develop, it is transferred back to the woman's womb. The embryo must implant in the womb for a pregnancy to be established.

Tips! Preparation before IVF

Before commencing IVF therapy, you will be examined by gynecologists and embryologists to work out possible treatment options. Here are several preparations to be made before IVF.

 

-          Lifestyle modification:
It is always important to maintain healthy weight in women, avoid alcohol and tobacco and increase folic acid intake may increase the chance of conception;

-          Rubella vaccination (if applicable);

-          Treatment of chronic illness: consult your doctor before IVF treatment if you have any chronic illness;

-          Screening tests: certain test for ovarian reserve; and

-          Sperm wash: if sperm count is low.

 

 

 

Reference: fertility.com.hk

The information aims to provide educational purpose only. Anyone reading it should consult obstetricians and gynecologists before considering treatment and should not rely on the information above.

Treatment procedures for infertility problem - IVF, in vitro fertilization(Part 1)

According to the Hong Kong Council on Human Reproductive Technology, a couple may be classified as "infertile" or "sub-infertile" if pregnancy has not occurred after one year of regular unprotected sexual life. In Hong Kong, an estimated one in six couples has difficulty conceiving due to different reasons.

 

There are many reasons for infertility. Problems affecting male fertility include tubal obstruction or damage, semen abnormality or unexplained infertility while those affecting women include ovulation disorders, endometriosis and unexplained infertility. Age may also be one of the other factors affecting fertility.

A Reproductive Technology (RT) procedure means a medical, surgical, obstetric or other procedures assisting or bringing about human reproduction by artificial means. RT treatment may be considered as one of the options to increase the chance of conception. Apart from RT treatment, other methods such as timed intercourse, drug therapy and surgery may be recommended by medical practitioners. You are strongly advised to consult your doctor for the most appropriate and suitable procedures if you intend to go through infertility treatment. (reference: http://www.chrt.org.hk/english/patients/patients_abo.html)

 

IVF - Introduction

IVF is commonly known as “test tube baby”. IVF is indicated for couples suffering from subfertility. IVF is probably the commonly used assisted reproductive technology and it has helped infertile couples conceive and bear children for over two decades. It starts with ovulation induction, followed by egg retrieval, fertilization and embryo transfer.

 

 

 

 

Reference: fertility.com.hk

The information aims to provide educational purpose only. Anyone reading it should consult obstetricians and gynecologists before considering treatment and should not rely on the information above.