What is in vitro fertilization (IVF)

• What is in vitro fertilization (IVF):
A series of medical procedures performed to treat infertility, assist in conception, and prevent some genetic diseases.
During the IVF process, after stimulating the ovaries of the wife, the eggs are retrieved and then fertilized inside the laboratory. They are monitored until embryos form, and finally, they are transferred back into the uterus.
Reasons for resorting to IVF procedures:

Infertility
A. Infertility in the wife, which may be caused by:
Blocked fallopian tubes (tubes that carry eggs)
Problems with ovulation
Uterine lining issues
Presence of fibroids inside the uterus
Previous surgeries leading to blockage of fallopian tubes
B. Infertility in the husband, which may be caused by:
Low sperm count, including issues with sperm count, shape, and movement
Absence of sperm in the semen sample.
C. Infertility in both husband and wife
D. Unexplained infertility
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Presence of genetic diseases
In case there are genetic diseases in the family and the possibility of passing them on to their children, resorting to IVF is done. The embryos are genetically screened to ensure their health before being transferred to the uterus.
Preserving fertility in women
In case of exposure, God forbid, to cancer before starting chemotherapy or radiation therapy, which leads to reduced fertility, IVF procedures are resorted to. This is done to retrieve and freeze eggs for the future.
In the case of delayed marriage due to education, profession, or not finding the suitable partner, resorting to IVF to freeze eggs and preserve them for the future is also done.
• Stages of the IVF process outside the body
• 1. The wife is given hormonal injections to stimulate the ovaries to produce multiple eggs, which may continue for two weeks.
• 2. When the follicles containing the eggs reach a certain size, the woman is injected with an ovulation trigger shot (to mature the eggs).
• 3. Eggs are retrieved 34-36 hours after the trigger shot under anesthesia using ultrasound. The husband is asked to provide a sperm sample, which is prepared in the laboratory, and in specific cases, a biopsy of the testicle is taken.
• 4. Fertilization:
• It is done inside the laboratory using one of two methods:
• Microscopic injection, where the injection is done under a microscope, injecting one sperm into the egg.
• Traditional injection, where the egg is mixed with a large group of sperm.
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• 5. Embryo transfer:
• It takes place on the second, third, or fifth day depending on the wife's condition and the development of the embryos. It is done through a catheter inserted through the cervix and monitored by ultrasound.
• Sometimes it may be necessary to make a hole in the fetal wall using a laser before transfer to help it implant in the uterine lining.
• In case of genetic diseases in the family, a cell is taken from the embryo to be tested, ensuring that the embryo is free of genetic diseases before transfer.
• 6. Freezing embryos:
• Excess high-quality embryos after transfer are frozen for future use.
• 7. Outcome:
• Pregnancy is determined by testing blood for the pregnancy hormone 10-12 days after egg retrieval.
• Success and failure factors:
• 1. The wife's age, with success rates decreasing with increasing age.
• 2. Good embryo quality leads to a higher pregnancy rate.
• 3. The uterine lining and its readiness to receive the embryo.
• 4. Previous children in the wife are a positive factor and give an idea of the wife's ability to conceive.
• 5. Lifestyle factors:
• Such as smoking and alcohol consumption, which reduce the chances of pregnancy.
• Before resorting to IVF, I recommend the following:
• 1. Choose a qualified, experienced specialist doctor to perform this type of procedure.
Medical procedures related to infertility are complex and vary according to the patients' conditions, each concerning the causes of infertility.
• 2. Choose a center equipped with the latest devices and an expert team in performing these procedures. The laboratory is responsible for fertilization and monitoring the embryos until they are returned to the uterus by the doctor.