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.
