What is IVF and How it Works

IVF involves fertilising eggs and sperm outside of the body in a laboratory. The resulting embryos are then transferred to your uterus to implant and grow into a baby.
 

The treatment option can be a suitable option for you and your partner when you have been trying to conceive for at least a year without success, or you may experience infertility issues such as blocked or damaged fallopian tubes, low sperm count or motility, endometriosis, or unexplained infertility.
 

Key Takeaways

1. IVF involves fertilising mature eggs with sperm in a lab.

2. Your age and the quality of the embryos affect the IVF success rates.

3. There are 5 stages in IVF.
 

How Does IVF Work?

The IVF process can be broken down into several stages, including ovarian stimulation, egg retrieval, fertilization, embryo culture, and embryo transfer.
 

1. Ovarian Stimulation

In this stage, you will undergo a course of fertility medications to stimulate the ovaries to produce multiple mature eggs.

Daily injections will be administered for 10-14 days, with regular monitoring to track the growth and development of the follicles (fluid-filled sacs that contain the eggs).

2. Egg Retrieval

Once the follicles are mature, a minor surgical procedure is performed to retrieve your eggs using a transvaginal ultrasound-guided needle.

The procedure is usually done under sedation or anaesthesia and takes 20-30 minutes to complete.

3. Fertilization

After the eggs are retrieved, they are immediately taken to the laboratory to be fertilized with sperm.

There are two main methods of fertilization used in IVF - conventional insemination (mixing eggs and sperm in a dish) and intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI), where a single sperm is injected directly into each egg.

4. Embryo Culture

The fertilized eggs (embryos) are cultured in the laboratory for 3-5 days until they reach the blastocyst stage.

During this time, the embryos are closely monitored for growth and development, and any chromosomal abnormalities can be identified through pre-implantation genetic testing (PGT).
 

5. Embryo Transfer

Finally, one or more embryos are transferred to your uterus using a thin catheter inserted through the cervix.

The procedure does not require anaesthesia since it is usually painless. Any remaining viable embryos can be frozen for later use.

READ: Everything You Need to Know About IVF

What are the IVF Success Rates?

IVF success rates vary depending on several factors, your age, the cause of infertility, and the quality of the embryos.

According to the Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the average live birth rate per IVF cycle is around 30%.

However, this can range from as low as 10% to as high as 60%, depending on individual circumstances.

READ: Top 5 IVF Centres in Nairobi

Are There any Risks and Side Effects of IVF

There are some potential risks and side effects associated with IVF; these include:

- Ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome (OHSS) is when the ovaries become swollen and painful.

- Multiple pregnancies can increase the risk of complications for both the mother and the babies.

- Ectopic pregnancy; the embryo implants outside of the uterus.

- Infection or bleeding caused by the egg retrieval process.

- Emotional stress or anxiety related to the process.

Do you have questions or concerns about IVF? Talk to a patient support specialist now and get your concerns addressed.  

READ: Top 6 IVF Centres in Dubai 

IVF treatment involves fertilising eggs and sperm outside the female body in a laboratory. The resulting embryos are then transferred to your uterus to implant and grow into a baby.
 

The treatment option can be suitable for you and your partner when you have been trying to conceive for at least a year without success, or you may experience infertility issues such as blocked or damaged fallopian tubes, low sperm count or motility, endometriosis, or unexplained infertility.