In vitro fertilization in the technique most used in fertility clinics. It consists of the union of the ovule with the sperm in the laboratory (in vitro) to obtain already fertilized embryos that are then transferred to the maternal uterus, where they will evolve until getting a pregnancy.
What are you going to do to me? Will i feel pain It is normal to feel a certain degree of uncertainty or fear of the unknown when we face a new situation, especially in a subject in which as many emotions as infertility come into play. That is why it is important to inform us and know what to expect regarding the treatment and the steps to follow. The director of the assisted reproduction clinic IVI of Almería, Rafaela González, It explains in five steps how the IVF or IVF process is.
1. Ovarian Stimulation
The first step of the treatment is to administer a medication that instead of producing a single ovule, as we do spontaneously every month, more oocytes are produced to obtain a greater number of embryos and therefore, greater chance of getting pregnant.
The treatment is administered by the woman herself at home by subcutaneous injections with very thin needles, similar to those used by diabetics and always at the same time for approximately ten days. During this period, follow-up ultrasound examinations are performed (between 3 and 4) to verify that the growth and evolution of the follicles is adequate and, once the follicles and the endometrium are at the optimal time, the puncture of the the oocytes
Formerly this treatment had important side effects and women could suffer abdominal, headache, swelling ... Now things have changed, side effects are mild and may go unnoticed by some women. As Dr. González explains:
"Before there was a risk of ovarian hyperstimulation (the woman accumulated fluids at the abdominal level, which could cause significant pain) but today these pictures almost do not occur because we have drugs that prevent it from happening. It is usually very bearable, usually be painful and the side effects are less and less: a little swelling because some fluid is retained, if you have a predisposition to headache you may have more pain or a little more swollen tummy with discomfort such as when we have the period, but they are usually very bearable effects and that almost in most patients they will go unnoticed. "
2. Follicular puncture
It consists of extracting, in the operating room, the ovules to the patient and then being fertilized in the laboratory. A vaginal ultrasound is done and, through the vagina, with a needle the ovary is punctured and the ovules are removed.
This operation can be painful, so in the vast majority of assisted reproduction clinics it is performed under general anesthesia. The procedure takes approximately 15 minutes and intubation is not necessary. It is an outpatient intervention, that is, after extraction, you rest for a while in the room and at home.
Afterwards, it is recommended rest and avoid overexertion for the next 24 hours and abdominal discomfort or small vaginal bleeding may be noticed, which should disappear the day after the puncture.
3. Fertilization of ovules and embryonic culture
The fertilization of the ovules can be carried out by the conventional in vitro fertilization technique, which consists of placing an ovum surrounded by sperm cells on the culture plate, or by the ICSI technique, which consists of "injecting" the sperm into the ovum.
The resulting embryos after fertilization of the ovules are studied and cataloged. Then, the best ones are chosen to transfer to the uterus and wait until they are implanted and pregnancy is achieved.
4. Embryo transfer
It consists of the introduction of the best embryos into the maternal uterus and is done by introducing a speculum and then, through the cervix, with a very fine canulite, the embryos are deposited. The operation is also done in the operating room, but in this case it is not necessary to perform sedation because it is a process Fast and painless. Now we just have to wait until they tell us the date of the pregnancy test.
5. Embryo vitrification
Once the embryo implantation is performed, vitrification of the good quality embryos not transferred that can be used to try a new cycle is carried out in the event that pregnancy is not achieved without having to perform a new stimulation ovarian or if in the future we want to give our baby a little brother.
Being informed, having confidence in the medical team and trying not to become obsessed with the results are the keys to bringing fertility treatments in the best possible way. In the case of in vitro fertilization, Advances in medication and anesthesia use During the extraction of ovules they make women undergo the treatment very calmly.
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