The Procedure
The procedure involves retrieval of mature eggs from the ovaries and their artificial fertilization by a sperm in a laboratory. After successful fertilization, the fertilized egg or the embryo is then implanted back in the uterus. A single IVF cycle takes about 15 days after which, the embryo is put back in the uterus.
Since it is an extremely complicated procedure, it is essential that only the best IVF specialist in India should be consulted, if possible for conduction of the process. It is regarded as the most successful procedure of externally assisted reproductive procedure. It can be performed with the use of the eggs and the sperm of the couple in question and there is no need of any donor. However, there is a specific procedure, which involves eggs, the sperm or the embryos of either a known or an anonymous donor. Besides, there are instances when it becomes necessary to involve a gestational carrier – a woman who will lend her uterus to implant the embryo.
Why is IVF performed?
The main purpose of IVF is treating infertility or genetic complications. Though couples have the leverage of trying other options of treatments that are comparatively less invasive, IVF is the most successful of them.
There are instances when top hospitals in Delhi NCR carry our IVF as a part of the primary procedure of treating cases of infertility in women who are more than 40 years old. There are other reasons for conducting IVF. Some of them are as follows:
1) Damaged or blocked fallopian tube: Sometimes the fallopian tube gets blocked or damaged due to a number of reasons, and this prevents fertilization of the egg and even stops an embryo from traveling to the uterus even after successful fertilization of the egg.
2) Disorders relating to ovulation: In case of irregular or absent ovulation, the body is not able to develop the adequate number of eggs. Hence, the sperm encounters fewer numbers of eggs for fertilization, reducing the probability quotient to a considerable extent.
3) Premature ovarian failure: This condition is triggered off by a significant reduction or even total loss of the normal ovarian functions below the age of 40. Once that happens, it fails to generate the adequate quantity of estrogen, which is needed for fertilization. Sometimes, this leads to a condition, wherein egg production stops altogether, leading to infertility.
4) Endometriosis: This typical condition surfaces when the tissues those are supposed to grow inside the uterus by any chance are implanted out of the uterus and start growing there. This understandably has an impact on the functionalities of the ovaries, fallopian tubes, and the uterus.
5) Uterine Fibroids: Fibroids are essentially benign tumors that grow on the uterine walls and this condition is particularly common in women who are in their mid-30s or 40s. This can have a negative impact on the implant of the fertilized egg in the uterus.
Other than these, IVF can be used in treating a wide plethora of cases, and a doctor will be able to ascertain whether it will be fair to conduct an IVF depending upon the condition of the patient in question.