In Vitro Fertilisation

What is IVF (In Vitro Fertilization)?

In IVF treatment, the egg cell taken from the mother and the sperm cells from the father are brought together in a laboratory environment outside the female reproductive system, and an embryo is obtained by fertilizing the egg with one of the sperm. By placing the embryo obtained in this way into the mother’s uterus, it becomes possible to achieve pregnancy in individuals who have not been able to conceive through normal methods.

When Should Couples Unable to Conceive Consider IVF Treatment?

A woman under the age of 35 who does not have any diseases that could prevent pregnancy and who has been having unprotected and regular sexual intercourse for 1 year without getting pregnant should definitely be examined, and if necessary, should start treatment. For women over the age of 35 or those who have experienced any problems affecting pregnancy before, trying for 6 months is sufficient. If pregnancy does not occur after this period, necessary treatment procedures should be started as soon as possible to prevent further delay due to advancing age.

What Are the Methods Used in IVF Treatment?

IVF is a commonly used treatment method with increasing success rates. These treatments are applied due to problems related to the fallopian tubes in women, ovulation issues, and male infertility, and many practices aimed at increasing treatment success are being considered.

How Many Times Can IVF be Tried?

It is generally recommended to try IVF treatment up to 3 times. Pregnancy is still possible after this number of attempts, but the chances are very low.

Until What Age Can IVF Be Applied?

IVF treatment can be applied in women up to the age of 45. However, it should be noted that the chance of getting pregnant significantly decreases in women over 40 years old. Therefore, the success rate of IVF treatment in older women is lower compared to younger women, and the number of attempts may need to be increased.

In recent years, with the advancements in medical technologies, the success rate of IVF treatments has increased. Many couples who were once thought to be unable to have children have been able to conceive healthily through this treatment. We have compiled 10 frequently asked questions about IVF treatment for you.

1) How are eggs collected? Is it a painful procedure?

Eggs are collected using a special needle inserted into the ovaries under vaginal ultrasound guidance, and the fluid-filled structure called a follicle where the egg is located is emptied. The fluid collected with the needle is transferred into a tube. The fluid in the tube contains eggs with very small cells that can be seen under a microscope. Egg collection is not a painful procedure, but it is more suitable to be performed under mild or general anesthesia to ensure the comfort of the patients.

2) How are embryos placed into the uterus after fertilization?

The transfer of embryos into the uterus is a simple and short procedure. During this process, a thin plastic catheter is first inserted into the cervix by a specialist doctor. The embryo is then transferred into the mother’s uterus through this catheter. Due to the egg development injections administered before the procedure, a larger number of embryos may be obtained than necessary. In this case, quality embryos that are not transferred can be frozen for storage.

3) Should rest be taken after embryo transfer?

It is recommended that the prospective mother rests for the first 45 minutes after embryo transfer. After 45 minutes, there is no need for the prospective mother to rest, and she can continue her daily activities and work life without any problems. After the transfer, the prospective mother can return to all normal life activities except for heavy exercises, brisk walks, and sexual activity.

4) When can a person return to normal activities after transfer? Does a person’s sexual life affect?

After the transfer, the prospective mother can continue with normal activities such as heavy exercises, brisk walks, and sexual activity, except for sexual intercourse, especially in the first week after the transfer stage. This is because the ovaries may slightly enlarge due to egg development treatments and procedures. However, the necessity of this practice has not yet been scientifically proven.

5) What are the results of pregnancies obtained from frozen embryos?

The success rate of obtaining pregnancy from frozen embryos varies depending on the laboratory quality of the IVF center. Proper storage of embryos obtained by expert individuals is of great importance.

6) What should be done if the sperm count is very low or no sperm is found in the sperm test?

If the sperm count is lower than the desired level, IVF treatment is performed with intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI). With this method, successful fertilization can be achieved even with a small number of sperm. If there is no sperm in the semen, a surgical procedure is performed to search for sperm from the testicles.

7) Should a special diet be followed during IVF treatment?

There are not enough studies on this subject, but studies show that in the preconception period when pregnancy is considered, diets specific to the Mediterranean cuisine (vegetable oils, fish, legumes, vegetables) increase IVF rates.

8) Is the chance of miscarriage higher after IVF?

The risk of miscarriage in pregnancies resulting from IVF methods is slightly higher than in pregnancies obtained naturally. However, the reason for this increase has been observed to be unrelated to IVF treatment. The increased risk of miscarriage is attributed to the reason preventing the person from getting pregnant.

9) What is blastocyst transfer?

It is a method based on increasing the chance of getting pregnant for patients who have tried the IVF method multiple times. Blastocyst transfer refers to the development shown by the embryo formed by leaving many unsuccessful egg and sperm cells together for fertilization on the 5th day. Embryos obtained without any genetic problems and structural disorders are examined in the laboratory environment, and then transferred into the uterus of the prospective mother. This method significantly increases the success rate.

10) Is sexual abstinence necessary during IVF treatment?

Sexual abstinence is only required for 3 to 5 days before egg collection, with the aim of achieving an appropriate level of sperm count and motility. It is recommended to consult your doctor regarding sexual abstinence after the transfer.

IVF Treatment Prices 2024

It is not possible to provide information about IVF treatment prices for the year 2024 without a consultation with a specialist doctor. The prices of IVF treatment for 2024 may vary depending on the patient’s condition, treatment plan, and the method used. For detailed information about IVF treatment, you can fill out the contact information form on the page to reach us.

This content has been contributed by the partner clinics of Pharmalps.

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