In vitro fertilization treatment is the most preferred assisted reproductive technique. The treatment process begins with the woman using infertility medications to stimulate her ovaries so that they can produce more eggs than normal. There are follicles in the ovaries. These follicles are fluid-filled sacs. When the eggs are mature enough, they are removed from the ovaries. The follicle fluid containing the egg is removed and placed in a container. Eggs are examined under a microscope. After the incubation period in the laboratory, the washed sperm are added to the container. Fertilization and early embryo development occur in this container. After 2 - 3 days, fertilized eggs, that is, embryos, are transferred to the uterus. This procedure is performed with the help of a soft and flexible catheter.
Information on Assisted Reproductive Techniques
Risks related to assisted reproductive techniques are related to the use of medication and the operation performed to retrieve the eggs.
Some of these risks are:
• Bleeding
• Infection
• Damage to nearby organs
• Overstimulation of the Ovaries Syndrome
• Risk of multiple pregnancy
Studies show that there are no more abnormal situations in babies born with assisted reproductive techniques than in babies born naturally.
Situations Where Assisted Reproductive Techniques Are Used
With in vitro fertilization treatment, a patient whose both tubes are blocked has a chance of pregnancy. In vitro fertilization treatment is also used in the following cases:
• Endometriosis
• Unexplained infertility
• Infertility conditions related to the cervix
• Male infertility
• Ovulation disorders
With assisted reproductive techniques, there is a higher chance of pregnancy in the following cases:
• Patients who respond to infertility medications and ovulate naturally
• Have a healthy uterus
With assisted reproductive techniques, there is less chance of pregnancy in the following cases: female patients
• Scar tissues, fibroids and polyps in the uterus that cannot be treated Female patients with.
After your initial evaluation by your doctor, you need to make another doctor's visit before in vitro fertilization treatment begins. At this visit, you will discuss your treatment plan with your doctor. During one of your doctor visits, your uterine measurement may be taken with the help of a catheter. Catheter; It is a thin, flexible tool used to place the embryo into the uterus. Since the catheter first enters the cervix and then the uterus, the dimensions, shape and direction of the uterus can be determined through measurement. This is beneficial in embryo placement. Blood tests will be performed to identify any infections you or your partner may have. A sperm sample is requested from the man so that it can be analyzed. If an abnormal situation is encountered in the sperm analysis, another sample may be requested for further examination. Nurses will tell you about your treatment plan and how to use the medications.
Egg Stimulation: The in vitro fertilization treatment process begins in the menstrual cycle, depending on the egg stimulation process. (about a week before the woman's period) During this period, the woman uses medication to stimulate her eggs. This medication effectively reduces the release of hormones that control the development of eggs in the ovaries. When you menstruate, vaginal ultrasound and blood tests are performed to check whether the medication reduces egg development. If it does not reduce, drug treatment is continued for another week or two. When the function of the ovaries temporarily ceases completely, the actual stimulation therapy begins. Hormone therapy is administered for approximately 10 days to stimulate the ovarian follicles. Blood tests and ultrasound will be needed throughout the treatment to determine follicle sizes. Drug use continues for approximately 10 - 12 days. Once sufficient egg stimulation is achieved, another hormone is injected. Eggs are collected 36 - 38 hours after the injection.
Egg Collection and Fertilization of Eggs: Egg collection is performed under anesthesia. The egg collection process usually takes between 20 minutes and 50 minutes. The fluid taken from the follicles is immediately taken to the embryology laboratory. In the laboratory, eggs are placed in a special solution and placed in an incubator. ir. The time eggs spend in the incubator varies depending on how mature they are. On the day of egg collection, the man obtains the sperm sample by masturbation and delivers it to the laboratory. Sperm sample can also be collected outside the center in special cases. In particular, couples who may have difficulty in giving a sperm sample outside the home by masturbating without their partner can obtain a sperm sample at home. After the sperm is obtained, it must be delivered to the embryologists at the center within 1 hour at most. If this period is more than 1 hour; The male should obtain the sample in the center. If obtained outside the center; The sample should be delivered to the in vitro fertilization laboratory at room temperature (without exposure to extreme heat and cold) and without exposure to light. In rare cases, a second sperm sample may be requested on the same day. The next stage is the combining of eggs with sperm. The fertilization rate of eggs is usually 80%. Eggs are checked 24 hours after collection. Fertilization also occurred during this period. If deemed necessary, some embryos can be frozen. If pregnancy does not occur after treatment, frozen embryos can be used for the next transfer. In this way, the patient will not repeat the egg stimulation process again. The patient is discharged within 2 - 4 hours after the procedure and is asked to rest at home for 24 hours. It is natural to experience lower back or groin pain similar to menstrual pain, and drop-like red or brown bleeding (from the reservoir) within 1 to 2 days after the egg collection process. Such bleeding does not have a negative impact on the chances of pregnancy because it is not from the uterus.
If any of the situations mentioned below occur, you may need to inform your doctor:
a) Fever higher than 38 degrees by measurement
b) Excessive vaginal (reservoir) bleeding (some bleeding is normal)
c) Very severe and ongoing pain (some pain is normal)
d) Consecutive Weight gain of more than 1 kilo in 2 days
e) Inability to urinate with increasing pain 8-10 hours after the procedure
Embryo Transfer: 1 - 3 days after the eggs are retrieved In it, embryo transfer is made. The number of embryos to be transferred depends on the quality of the embryo, but the legal limit in our country is three. Embryo transfer process Then you need to rest for 2 days. A blood pregnancy test (blood beta hCG) is performed 12 days after embryo transfer. Even if there is bleeding that is thought to be compatible with menstruation, a pregnancy test must be performed because sometimes, although pregnancy has occurred, vaginal bleeding may occur due to the embryo being deposited in the uterus. If the test is positive, meaning there is pregnancy, an ultrasound will be performed approximately 3 weeks later.
Read: 0
