In Vitro Fertilization (IVF)

In Vitro Fertilization (IVF)

What is IVF (In Vitro Fertilization)?

The first successful IVF treatment on humans took place in 1978 in England. Following England, IVF treatments were also successfully carried out in Australia and the United States. The first IVF child born was Louise Brown, and she was able to conceive naturally in recent years.

Historically, IVF was initially applied to women whose fallopian tubes were severely damaged or blocked. Nowadays, IVF is successfully used in all infertility cases.

In fact, IVF has become quite common worldwide, with some Scandinavian countries seeing 5% to 7% of their total population born through IVF treatments.

IVF involves the process where an egg cell obtained from the woman and sperm cells from the man are combined and fertilized in the laboratory environment, and the resulting embryo is transferred into the woman’s uterus. It is one of the most widely used methods for conception, childbirth, and having children.

It is particularly well-known as a preferred option for couples who have been struggling with infertility for many years or those who are eager to become parents as quickly as possible. Today, with higher success rates and faster treatment options, IVF has become an accessible and effective solution for those hoping to become parents.

Stages of IVF Treatment

Before starting the treatment, candidates need to be thoroughly evaluated. When a couple applies to an IVF center, the specialist will first have an in-depth consultation with the couple to gather information about any previous illnesses, tests, and treatments.

This phase, known as the “history taking” or “anamnesis taking,” is a critical stage in ensuring the treatment plan is correctly formulated and should never be overlooked. One common mistake at this stage is that couples may deem some issues or questions insignificant and not share them with the doctor. However, even small details or experiences that might seem unimportant could significantly affect the success of the treatment. Therefore, during the consultation, couples should not prioritize or rank the importance of the information they provide to the doctor.

All questions asked by the doctor should be answered truthfully and comprehensively, which will help the doctor make a complete and accurate evaluation. Next, the eggs of the woman will need to be stimulated or "awakened" for fertilization. The goal is to obtain as many 16-20 mm follicles as possible.

During monitoring, estrogen levels are checked to adjust the medication doses. The target is to reach an estrogen level of 200 pg/mL per follicle larger than 14 mm. Once the follicles have reached sufficient size, the final maturation is induced by an injection of 5,000 - 10,000 units of human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG). The duration of this stage can vary, but it usually takes around 11 days in our center. After the hCG injection, egg retrieval is performed 32-36 hours later. Egg retrieval is the third stage. At this stage, the eggs will be collected once they have reached the desired maturity and size, supported by a hormonal injection that helps trigger ovulation.

Approximately 34 to 36 hours after the injection, the egg retrieval procedure is performed. The injection must be given at the exact time specified by the doctor. Egg retrieval is carried out under sedation (sleep anesthesia) using transvaginal ultrasound to ensure the patient does not experience pain. The patient should be fasting on the morning of the procedure. The procedure generally takes 20 to 30 minutes.

During the procedure, the fluid inside the follicles is collected. The presence of eggs in the fluid is assessed, and any available eggs are retrieved. Sometimes, eggs may not be seen during the first attempt, in which case a special fluid is used to wash the follicle and attempt to locate any eggs that may still be inside.

In Vitro Fertilization (IVF)

The number of eggs per patient can reach 10 to 12, but this number can vary from 1 to 40. In rare cases, there is a possibility of not retrieving any eggs. Patients should be prepared for this situation. After this procedure, the patient is monitored for 1 or 2 hours and then discharged to go home.

In the next stage, the ideal eggs are selected from the retrieved ones, fertilized, and transferred into the uterus. Then, the fourth stage, which is the fertilization stage, begins. The follicular content obtained during the egg retrieval (OPU) procedure is immediately sent to the laboratory.

This fluid, examined under a special microscope, is placed in a culture medium and moved into an incubator. The incubator maintains a temperature of 37°C and a carbon dioxide level of 5-6%. Mature egg cells become ready for fertilization after 4-6 hours. After stimulation, about 80% of follicles with a diameter between 18-22 mm will yield mature eggs suitable for fertilization.

Then, male sperm and female eggs are fertilized. After fertilization, the fifth stage, which is the embryo transfer, takes place. This procedure does not require anesthesia and does not cause pain for the patient.

The transfer procedure is done 48 hours or 72 hours, or in some cases 120 hours, after egg retrieval. The timing of the transfer depends on the number and quality of the embryos. Before the transfer, the cervix is cleaned with special fluids. The embryo is transferred into the uterus through the cervical canal using a fine catheter.

After this procedure, the embryos continue to develop on their own and are expected to implant in the uterus. The final step is that, 12 days after the embryo transfer, the patient should perform a pregnancy test.

IVF Treatment

Not only couples who have difficulty conceiving but also single women who wish to have a child without a partner may choose this method.
In simple terms, IVF is the process of bringing the female reproductive cell, the egg, and the male reproductive cell, the sperm, together under laboratory conditions.

IVF stages result from a process consisting of about 5 stages. In a normal pregnancy, fertilization occurs in the fallopian tube, but in IVF, this process takes place in a laboratory environment.

After fertilization, the resulting embryo is placed into the mother's uterus, and if successful, the woman can experience a healthy pregnancy and eventually have a child. Many people who were thought to be infertile and childless have become parents through this method.

This treatment continues to offer hope to thousands of couples every year. The duration of this process may vary and can be extended depending on the individual.

To get the best response, it is appropriate to consult your doctor about both the stages and the details such as how many days it will take.

IVF Prices

IVF treatment is an effective method for couples who cannot conceive naturally.

However, the cost of IVF treatment will vary depending on the individual needs of the couple.

To understand what factors affect the cost of IVF, it is necessary to first look at the stages of the IVF treatment.

Looking at the prices for 2022, it appears that the cost ranges between 10,000 Turkish Lira and 30,000 Turkish Lira depending on the patient, hospital, process, and the specialist doctor.

In Vitro Fertilization (IVF)
In Vitro Fertilization (IVF)