IVF Technique

The IVF Technique at Best Life Fertility Center: Step-by-Step

The IVF technique is a multi-step process that typically takes several weeks to complete. Each step is crucial for the success of the treatment. Here’s a detailed breakdown of the IVF process:

1. Ovarian Stimulation

The first step in the IVF technique is ovarian stimulation, which involves the use of fertility medications to encourage the ovaries to produce multiple eggs in a single menstrual cycle. This is important because having multiple eggs increases the chances of developing healthy embryos, which leads to higher successful pregnancy rates.

• Medications Used: The most commonly used medications for ovarian stimulation are gonadotropins, which include follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) and luteinizing hormone (LH). These hormones stimulate the growth of ovarian follicles, each containing an immature egg.
• Monitoring: During the stimulation phase, the patient is closely monitored by our professional team of doctors at Best Life Fertility Center through blood tests and ultrasounds to track the development of the follicles. The goal is to ensure that the follicles are growing at the right rate and that multiple eggs are maturing.
• Duration: This phase typically lasts 10-14 days, depending on how the ovaries respond to the medication. Adjustments to the medication dosage may be made based on the monitoring results.

2. Egg Retrieval

Once the follicles have matured, the next step in the IVF technique is egg retrieval. This is a minor surgical procedure performed under sedation to ensure the patients comfort, to collect the eggs from the ovaries.

• Procedure: Using ultrasound guidance, a thin needle is inserted through the vaginal wall and into the ovaries. The needle is then used to aspirate the fluid from the follicles, which contains the eggs. The entire procedure typically takes about 10-20 minutes.
• Recovery: After the procedure, some patients may experience some mild cramping or discomfort, but most can resume normal activities within a day.
• Egg Quality: The retrieved eggs are immediately examined in our state of the art laboratory at Best Life Fertility Center for quality and maturity. Only mature eggs are suitable for fertilization.

3. Sperm Collection and Preparation

On the same day as the egg retrieval, a sperm sample is collected from the father. The sperm sample is then processed in our advanced laboratory to select the healthiest and most motile sperm for fertilization.

• Sperm Washing: This process involves separating the sperm from the seminal fluid and concentrating them to increase the chances of successful fertilization.
• Intracytoplasmic Sperm Injection (ICSI): In some cases where sperm quality is a concern, a technique called intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) might be used depending on the patients condition and needs. ICSI involves injecting a single sperm directly into the cytoplasm of the egg to facilitate fertilization.

4. Fertilization

The fertilization step in the IVF technique occurs in the laboratory, where the eggs and sperm are combined. There are two primary methods of fertilization:

• Conventional Insemination: The eggs are placed in a petri dish with thousands of sperm, and fertilization occurs naturally as one of the sperm penetrates the egg.
• ICSI: As mentioned earlier, ICSI is used when sperm quality or quantity is a concern. A single sperm is injected directly into the egg to achieve fertilization.
• Monitoring: The fertilized eggs, now called embryos, are monitored over the next few days by our experienced team of doctors at Best Life Fertility Center to ensure they are dividing and developing properly.

5. Embryo Culture

After fertilization, the embryos are cultured in the laboratory for several days. This is a critical step in the IVF technique, as it allows embryologists to monitor the development of the embryos and select the best ones for transfer.

• Preimplantation Genetic Testing (PGT): In some cases, when one or both parents have a genetic disease or carry one for example, preimplantation genetic testing may be performed on the embryos to screen for genetic abnormalities. This can help select the healthiest embryos and reduce the risk of genetic disorders.

As our Fertility clinic: Best Life Fertility Center is committed to excellence, we offer our patients the latest and most advanced treatment techniques and screening tests available worldwide such as PGT, to ensure the best possible treatment plans are available for our patients, depending on each couples medical conditions and needs. 

6. Embryo Transfer

The embryo transfer is the final step in the IVF technique, where one or more embryos are transferred into the mothers uterus. The goal is for the embryo to implant into the uterine lining and develop into a healthy pregnancy.

• Procedure: The embryo transfer is a relatively simple and painless procedure that does not require anesthesia. A thin catheter is used to place the embryo into the uterus through the cervix.
• Post-Transfer Care: After the transfer, the patient is usually advised to rest for a short period. Luteal phase support, typically in the form of progesterone supplements, is provided to help maintain the uterine lining and support pregnancy.

7. Implantation and Pregnancy Testing

When the embryo successfully implants into the uterine lining, it will begin to produce human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG), the hormone detected in pregnancy tests.

• Pregnancy Test: About 10-14 days after the embryo transfer, a blood test is performed to measure hCG levels. A positive result indicates pregnancy, while a negative result means that implantation did not occur.
• Follow-Up: when the pregnancy test is positive, further monitoring, including ultrasounds, will be conducted to confirm the viability of the pregnancy and track its progress.