One in every six couples in the United States struggles with infertility. Further, a study by the National Institute of Health, Rockville, found that up to 16% of couples actively trying to get pregnant were unsuccessful even after a year of trying. Concisely, there is proof of fertility decline among both men and women, thus necessitating the consideration of alternative methods of conception. Learn more about In Vitro Fertilization (IVF) and how it can help
What Is In Vitro Fertilization?
In Vitro Fertilization (IVF) is a procedure classified under Assisted Reproductive Technologies (ART). Specifically, continued advancement furthers reproductive science to make it possible for egg fertilization outside a female’s body. Then, implanted back after they develop into embryos.
How Does IVF Work?
IVF is significantly different from what is considered natural and traditional methods of conception. The treatment will often follow an infertility test where your doctor will be looking to establish your sexual habits and any specific causes of infertility. Specific tests that your doctor will be looking to have done would be a complete assessment of your general health, a check of ovarian function, and detection of thyroid diseases and high prolactin levels.
Additionally, your doctor will be screening for any hormonal imbalance and metabolic abnormalities that might impede successful IVF.
Following the infertility evaluation and having come to the conclusion that IVF is a viable option, your doctor then embarks on the procedure. Specifically, the doctor harvests eggs from the ovaries, which then fertilize within the lab. The fertilized eggs are then placed in a conducive environment until they develop into viable embryos then one is reintroduced to the mother’s womb.
What Are the Success Rates of In Vitro Fertilization?
A young, healthy couple has a success rate of 20-35% per IVF cycle. However, specialists advise that a patient undergoes at least three cycles of IVF before dimming the procedure ineffective. Note that following these three attempts, you have at least a 45% chance of a successful pregnancy.
Fortunately, there are measures you can take to improve your chances of conception. For instance, you want to maintain a healthy weight as advised by your doctor. Additionally, your spouse can take supplements to improve sperm quality and avoid any abnormalities within the semen. Finally, it would also be prudent to partner with an embryology laboratory that has experienced reproductive endocrinologists on board.
What Are the Benefits of In Vitro Fertilization?
Checking result of in vitro fertilization treatment.
IVF Significantly Improves Your Chances at a Successful Pregnancy and Consequently a Healthy Baby
The most significant benefit of IVF is a successful pregnancy and the resulting healthy child. While a positive outcome cannot be assured, it still avails a significant chance for a couple looking to have a child after several unsuccessful natural attempts.
IVF Can Help Bypass Issues in the Fallopian Tubes
Tubal factor infertility causes some of the infertility cases reported. Fortunately, IVF allows fertility specialists to circumvent any fallopian tube issues, thus solving an otherwise impossible situation. Indicatively, IVF offers a solution to the obstruction of the egg’s movement down to the uterus. This is particularly excellent news for patients who have had previous pelvic infections, including chlamydia.
There Is a Confirmation of Fertilization
Idiopathic causes of subfertility cause the lack of success conceiving. Fortunately, it is possible to confirm fertilization within the IVF cycle. It is possible for your specialist to check for any problems that could impede normal interaction between the egg and the sperm within the lab. In the event that there is failed fertilization, the couple can embark on another IVF cycle in conjunction with intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI).
Test Embryos Created via In Vitro Fertilization for Abnormalities Before Transfer Into the Womb
There have been cutting-edge studies that have shown how IVF can be used to test for abnormalities in the embryo before it is transferred into the womb. Specifically, there have been successful pre-implantation genetic diagnoses for conditions like Down’s Syndrome and Cystic Fibrosis. Altogether, IVF can help parents predisposed to some conditions help reduce incidences of the same in their unborn child.
Bypassing Sperm Issues
In some instances, low sperm quality and count create unsuccessful pregnancy attempts. IVF helps bypass these sperm issues. Specifically, as the egg physically introduces itself to the sperm, more excellent proximity exists between the two.
You Have Control Over Timing
IVF puts you solely in charge of your pregnancy journey. It avails the freedom to choose when to get pregnant. This makes this ART an excellent option for women looking to explore different facets of their lives before settling down to start a family.
What If In Vitro Fertilization Doesn’t Work?
There are several reasons why IVF might not work. For starters, there is a high risk during egg pick up. Specifically, the egg collection procedure can impact the structural integrity of the egg, thus more likelihood of a failed procedure. Besides, there are additional risks during embryo transfer. There have been reports of infections occurring in the uterus that make the embryo no longer viable. Concisely, going into IVF, you need to be open to the idea that the procedure might not work.
Suppose then that your first cycle is unsuccessful. It would be prudent to communicate closely with your specialist to determine what might have caused the failure. Additionally, you want to consult on other alternatives and even the possibility of a second cycle. Overall, you need to manage your expectations and be willing to maximize all the options available to you.
Explore Your Family-Building Options Today
Oftentimes, couples will have tried a host of other fertility treatment options before they get to the IVF station. Fortunately, IVF has shown tremendous promise of exponentially improving a couple’s chance at a healthy pregnancy and subsequent childbirth. At our clinic, we believe that IVF treatments need to be individualized to a patient’s unique circumstances. As such, we invite you to schedule a consultation to explore how IVF can contribute to your family–building dreams today!