IVF-ICSI Treatment Treatment in India

Diagnosis for performing IVF Treatment

IVF is performed in cases of infertility which may be due to

• Advanced age of the woman
• Damaged or blocked Fallopian tubes which can be caused by pelvic inflammatory disease or prior reproductive surgery
• Decreased sperm count and blockage causing male infertility
• Unexplained infertility
• Endometriosis ( a disorder in which tissue that normally lines the uterus grows outside the uterus)
• Ovulation disorders ,uterine fibroids

Procedure of IVF Treatment

I: Stimulation of ovaries also called super ovulation

• To boost egg production medicines, called fertility drugs, are given to the woman. In other words it is drug induced production of multiple eggs.
• Blood tests for hormone levels and ultrasounds to examine ovaries are performed regularly.

II: Egg retrieval/ follicular aspiration

• Follicular aspiration is a procedure to remove the eggs from the woman’s body.
• This process is performed as an outpatient procedure under sedation. There will be  no incision, cuts or stitches in this procedure. By using ultrasound images as a guide the doctor will insert a thin needle into the ovary and sacs (follicles) containing the eggs. The needle is connected to a suction device. This device pulls the eggs and fluid one at a time out of each follicle.
• The procedure is repeated for the other ovary.
• In few cases laparoscopy may be performed to remove the eggs.
• If a woman does not or cannot produce any eggs, donor eggs may be used.

III: Insemination

• Sperm is placed together with the best quality eggs. The artificial mixing of the sperm and egg is called insemination.
• In the laboratory eggs and sperm are stored in an environmentally controlled chamber. The sperm most often enters and fertilizes an egg a few hours after insemination.
• In few cases the sperm may be directly injected into the egg by the doctor. This is called intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) wherein a single egg sperm is injected directly into the cytoplasm of an egg.
• Many doctors  routinely do ICSI on some of the eggs, even if things appear normal.

IV :  Transfer of embryo to uterus

• This is the last stage in the IVF process. In the laboratory when the fertilized egg divides, it becomes an embryo. The staff in the laboratory will regularly check the embryo to make sure it is growing properly. Within about 5 days, a normal embryo has several cells that are actively dividing.
• 3 to 5 days after fertilization a catheter is used to place the Embryo into the uterus.
• Pregnancy occurs if an embryo implants in the lining of the womb and grows.
• At the same time more than one embryo may be placed into the uterus resulting in twins, triplets, or more!

After the Procedure of IVF

• Rest is advised for the remainder of the day. Most women can return to normal activities by the next day.
• A complete bed rest is not required.
• The hormone progesterone is recommended daily for 8-10 weeks for normal course of pregnancy and to avoid miscarriage.
• After about 12 to 14 days after the embryo transfer a Pregnancy Test will be performed.

Complications of IVF treatment

• As more than one embryo is placed in the uterus there are chances of multiple pregnancies. This situation might be a high risk one resulting in premature birth and low birth weight.
• The Egg retrieval or follicular aspiration process can result in bleeding, infection, and damage to ovaries and surrounding structures.
• There may be temporary cramping after egg retrieval which may last for a day or two.
• As IVF may not be successful many couples suffer psychological stress and depression.
• For many the treatment can be emotionally and financially challenging.
• Fertility medications in rare cases may cause ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome (OHSS).

Factors affecting cost of IVF

The cost to the patient depends on a variety of factors like

• The hospital that the patient is opting for would be an important determinant of the total treatment cost.
• Fee for the team of doctors
• Cost of Medicines
• Standard Tests and diagnostic procedures
• Cost of the entire procedure
• Cost of the follow–up care which is required post the operation