Frequenty Asked Questions ?

What is IVF treatment?

In vitro fertilization (IVF) is a type of assisted reproductive technology (ART) that involves fertilizing an egg with sperm in a laboratory dish outside the body, and then transferring the resulting embryo to the woman's uterus. The process involves several steps, including:

1. Super ovulation: This is the process of stimulating the ovaries to produce multiple eggs in a single cycle. This is done using hormones, such as follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) and luteinizing hormone (LH), to help the ovaries mature multiple follicles that contain eggs.

2. Egg retrieval: Once the eggs have matured, they are retrieved from the woman's ovaries using a needle guided by ultrasound. The procedure is usually performed under sedation or anesthesia.

3. Fertilization: The retrieved eggs are mixed with sperm in a laboratory dish and allowed to fertilize. Alternatively, a single sperm can be injected directly into the egg using a technique called intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI).

4. Embryo culture: The resulting embryos are then cultured in a laboratory for several days until they reach the blastocyst stage, which is when they are ready for transfer.

5. Embryo transfer: Finally, the resulting embryos are transferred to the woman's uterus, where they can implant and develop into a pregnancy.

How can IVF be a ‘treatment of choice’ considering the costs, problems and advantages in contrast with other medical/non-medical treatments?

While IVF can be an effective treatment option for couples struggling with infertility, it is important to consider the costs, potential problems, and advantages in comparison to other medical and non-medical treatments.

Costs: IVF can be a very expensive treatment, and it may not be covered by insurance in some countries. The cost of IVF can vary depending on the clinic, and it often requires multiple cycles to achieve a successful pregnancy. Other medical and non-medical treatments may be more affordable and accessible to some couples.

Potential problems: IVF carries some potential risks and complications, such as ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome, multiple pregnancies, and birth defects. Additionally, IVF can be emotionally and physically stressful for couples undergoing the treatment.

Advantages: Despite the potential costs and problems, IVF has several advantages over other treatments. For example, IVF can be used to overcome a wide range of fertility issues, including male factor infertility, ovulatory disorders, and tubal factors. IVF also offers the opportunity for genetic testing of embryos, which can help identify potential genetic disorders before implantation.

Ultimately, the decision to pursue IVF as a treatment of choice will depend on individual circumstances and factors such as age, fertility diagnosis, and financial resources. Couples should discuss their options with a qualified medical professional to determine the best course of action for their unique situation.

If we plan to undergo the IVF treatment, is our child going to be genetically ours?

Yes, during the IVF procedure the egg of the genetic mother and sperm of the genetic father are used to create the embryos in the laboratory. These embryos are then transferred into the womb of the genetic mother or surrogate – where in both cases the child is of the genetic parents. It's important to note that in cases where a donor egg or sperm is used, the child will not be genetically related to the non-donor parent. However, the use of donor gametes can still provide the opportunity for the non-genetic parent to have a biological connection to the child through gestation and childbirth. It's important for couples to discuss all their options with their doctor and consider the emotional and ethical implications of using donor gametes before making a decision.

What are the precautions one has to take while undergoing IVF treatment?

VF treatment is generally very patient friendly nowadays and patients can carry on with their routine activities as usual. Certain precautions that should be observed during treatment include:

Follow a healthy and balanced diet, and take any medications as prescribed by the doctor

Attend all appointments and follow-up visits as recommended by the doctor

Reduce stress as much as possible, and consider stress-reducing activities like yoga, meditation or gentle exercise

Be cautious of any signs of infection, such as fever, abdominal pain or abnormal vaginal discharge, and notify the doctor immediately if any symptoms arise

It's important to remember that every patient's situation is unique, and the doctor may recommend additional precautions or lifestyle changes based on individual circumstances. It's essential to follow the doctor's instructions carefully and to communicate any concerns or questions throughout the treatment process.

How much does one cycle of IVF treatment cost? How do the costs differ with severity of the case?

The cost of an IVF cycle has two components – One is the procedure cost, which is fixed for any ART unit and is usually around Rs. 80-90,000, whereas the other component is the drugs/medications cost which are essentially the hormone injections that the female has to take for ovarian stimulation. This cost is variable and depends on the total dose of hormones the patients need for ovarian stimulation. The dose need is lower for younger women with good “Ovarian Reserve” and higher for older women, which increases the treatment cost. On an average one IVF cycle costs around Rs. 1,40,000.

How many times can one go for IVF treatment? Are there any age restrictions for the same?

There is no restriction to the number of attempts for IVF, and women have even conceived in their 11th cycle, but generally a couple should try a maximum of 4 attempts of IVF/ICSI. If one fails to conceive, it is advisable to opt for either egg donation/embryo donation/semen donation/adoption.

There is no age limit for taking an IVF treatment, as long as the couple is healthy. With options of egg donation and embryo donation, women can now conceive even after menopause.

What are the complications generally faced by women/men undergoing IVF treatment?

Most of the procedures nowadays are simple, of short duration and patient friendly, needing a maximum hospital stay being restricted to 4-6 hours. Sometimes the ovaries swell up excessively, leading to fluid collection in abdomen and lungs. This is called ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome (OHSS) and may need hospitalization and sometimes removal of the fluid from the abdomen by a procedure called ‘Paracentesis’.

Occasionally the pregnancy may lodge in the fallopian tubes (ectopic pregnancy) and may need medical treatment or surgery for its removal. Complications may occur during the egg retrieval procedure as the removal of eggs through an aspirating needle entails a slight risk of bleeding, infection, and damage to the bowel, bladder, or a blood vessel.

At what stage should we consider undergoing IVF treatment?

ART is a treatment option for couples with various types of infertility. It has been successfully used to overcome infertility due to blocked or damaged tubes, endometriosis, repeated IUI failure, unexplained infertility, poor ovarian reserve, poor or even nil sperm count (through sperm retrieval techniques like TESA/PESA) .

IVF can be normally performed for counts which are more than 5 million per ml. For counts less than 5 million per ml., ICSI is a better option. At Fortis Bloom IVF Centre, the success rate of IVF are in the region of 40-50% for women less than 35 years, which are comparable to the leading units in the world.