In Vitro Fertilization (IVF) which means ‘fertilization in a glass’ is often more commonly referred to as a test tube baby. The process involves sperm from a woman’s partner or a donor being placed in a dish with eggs that have been removed from her ovaries and fertilizing them before being placed in her womb. In Vitro Fertilization is recommended if you are an older woman, have been diagnosed with unexplained infertility, those whose tubes are blocked, or if other techniques have been unsuccessful.

Techniques of In Vitro Fertilization differ from clinic to clinic but a typical pattern of treatment might go like this: At the start of your treatment your doctor gives you drugs to block the hormones your pituitary gland usually produces during your monthly cycle. Blocking the hormones helps the doctor have greater control over your egg production. You then take different drugs to make your ovaries produce more than one egg.

IVF Miscarriage...

It’s important that levels of estrogen produced by the eggs are monitored so a combination of blood tests and vaginal ultrasound scans are used. Another hormone injection will be given when the tests show the time is right to help the eggs mature. The timing for this injection is crucial and must be carried out no earlier that 34 or later than 38 hours before your eggs are collected. Ultrasound guidance is used to help collect the egg but it means you have to be given drugs or a general anesthetic to help you relax because it takes about 30 minutes.

It is now the male’s job to ensure that a fresh sperm sample is ready. This will be stored for a short time before the sperm are washed and spun at a high speed, so that the healthiest and most active can be selected. Sperm which has been donated is kept in a freezer but the same method for preparation is used. Your eggs are then mixed with your partner’s sperm and left in a laboratory dish for 16-20 hours before they are checked to see if any have fertilized. Any embryo’s that have fertilized abnormally or not at all, are discarded, then those remaining are left for another 24 to 48 hours prior to a final check.

The womb needs to be ready to accept the fertilized egg so a gel, injection or pessaries are given to ensure the lining of the womb is prepared.

IVF Miscarriage

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