IVF

In vitro fertilization, commonly known as IVF, is a mechanism by which fertilization is stimulated by fertilizing an egg and sperm taken from a husband and wife in a laboratory dish, and then transferred to the uterus to complete the normal pregnancy cycle.

IVF is an effective technique for treating infertility in some people. It often depends on several factors for success, including age and other factors that cause infertility.

The duration for IVF is approximately 30 days.

It is possible that some couples tend to undergo IVF technique because of one of the following reasons:

• Infertility for unknown reasons.
• Infection of one spouse with genetic diseases.
• Blockage or damage to the wife's fallopian tubes.
• The husband has some problems such as low sperm count or low sperm mobility.
• The wife has an ovulation problem, or uterine scarring or others.
• The wife undergoes surgery of fallopian tubes removal.

One or both of the spouses undergo some of the previous tests to begin the procedure for IVF. These include the following:

• AMH test (Anti-Müllerian Hormone); to assess ovarian function and the ability to produce mature eggs for fertilization.
• FSH test (Follicle-stimulating hormone); to assess the wife's ovaries disorders and testicular problems in the husband.
• AFC test (Antral follicle count); to assess the number of primary eggs in the ovary (ovarian reserves).
• Ultrasound examination of the uterus to ensure the integrity of the inner lining of the uterus.
• Examination of the uterus and vagina through the endoscope by inserting it through the vagina.
• Examination of the husband's sperm to check their number, size and shape.

This IVF technique includes the following complications for the wife, like:

• Bleeding.
• Infection.
• Breasts become tender.
• Headache.
• Bloating.
• Cramps in the uterus.
• Ectopic pregnancy.
• Ovarian hyper-stimulation syndrome, very rare.
• Mood swings.
• Abortion.
• Sensitivity to certain medications.

IVF consists of the following steps:

1. Giving the wife a set of stimulating injections for about 10 to 12 days, with careful monitoring of the eggs through sonar or ultrasound.
2. Extraction of the eggs from the wife under the influence of sedative to relieve pain, this is done by inserting a very fine suction needle through the vagina to the ovary.
3. Place the eggs with the sperm extracted from the husband in a laboratory dish.
4. After eggs fertilization, divisions are monitored, as the embryos can be returned to the uterus either on the third day after fertilization or on the fifth day.
5. The obstetrician and gynecologist use a catheter to insert the selected embryos through the vagina into the uterus.

After IVF, the wife is asked to wait approximately two weeks - depending on the age of the embryo when it is transferred - to have a pregnancy test, as the results often appear after this period.

The wife can practice her normal life after IVF, but one of the tips for the success of IVF is to make sure to avoid stressful activities and try to rest as much as possible, and abstain from sexual intercourse for about a week.