What is IVF?
In Vitro Fertilisation (IVF) is a medical procedure designed to help individuals or couples overcome infertility by assisting with the conception of a child. The process involves combining an egg and sperm in a laboratory setting, and the resulting embryo is then transferred into the woman's uterus.
IVF is often used when other fertility interventions, such as intra-uterine insemination (IUI), are not considered effective or have already been tried without success. Besides that, it can also be used for any number of reasons that cause infertility, whether it be blockage of the fallopian tubes, low sperm count, unexplained infertility, etc.
Types Of IVF Treatments
While conventional in vitro fertilization is probably the most talked about treatment, fertility patients actually have access to a few different types of IVF procedures. Here’s a quick guide to the different IVF options you have to consider:
Conventional IVF
Conventional IVF (In Vitro Fertilisation) is the first method that comes to mind when one thinks of fertility treatment. The treatment starts with the administration of fertility drugs to the ovaries to get them to produce several mature eggs. These eggs are retrieved and fertilised with sperm in a lab. The resulting embryos are cultured for a few days, and the healthiest one(s) are transferred to the uterus.
Benefits:
- Provides the opportunity to choose embryos of the highest quality
- Raises the likelihood of conception per cycle
- Widely available and well-studied
ICSI (Intracytoplasmic Sperm Injection)
ICSI is considered when male infertility is identified in advanced IVF. This approach involves taking a single healthy sperm and injecting it directly into the egg using a fine needle under a microscope. After that, the fertilised egg develops into an embryo and is introduced into the uterus.
Used for:
- The sperm sample has a low count or poor motility.
- Sperm release blockages
- In case of previous IVF cycles with poor fertilisation.
Advantages:
- Enables fertilisation to the utmost extent, even with a limited number of sperm cells.
- Helps solve the problem of severely male infertility.
Donor Egg IVF
In the case where a donor provides the eggs, the procedure involves taking the egg cells from a healthy young woman, and then the fertilisation takes place between the donor egg and the male sperm from either the partner or a donor. After that, the embryos are placed into the uterus of the intended mother. One of the main reasons for the high success rates of the procedure is that donor eggs are generally taken from young women who are in good health and have no fertility problems.
Ideal for:
- Women with low egg quality or quantity
- Premature ovarian failure or menopause
- The female partner has genetic disorders
Success outcomes:
- High pregnancy and live birth rates.
- Enables women to experience pregnancy even after a natural fertility decline.
Donor Sperm IVF
In donor sperm IVF, the sperm of a donor who has been medically screened and found to be healthy and free of diseases is used where the male partner has no viable sperm or a genetic condition that could be passed on. The sperm thus collected is used to fertilize the eggs through conventional IVF or ICSI.
Best suited for:
- Azoospermia (complete lack of sperm)
- Single women or same-sex female couples
- Hereditary male genetic issues
Process overview:
- Selection and screening of the donor sperm
- Egg retrieval and fertilisation
- Embryo transfer into the uterus
Frozen Embryo Transfer (FET)
FET involves thawing frozen embryos that were created earlier and transferring them into the uterus in a later cycle. It grants a great deal of freedom regarding the time and also saves one from having to go through stimulation and retrieval again.
When it’s chosen:
- To delay pregnancy after egg retrieval
- After the successful freezing of embryos during previous IVF cycles,
- If hormonal levels are not suitable for a fresh transfer.
Advantages:
- Lessened physical discomfort
- Better uterine preparation for implantation
- The possibility of attempting again without going through a stimulation cycle once again.
IVF with PGT (Preimplantation Genetic Testing)
This is a cutting-edge IVF method that requires the fertilised embryos to be tested for any chromosomal or genetic abnormalities before implantation. PGT aids in selecting the healthiest embryos, thereby reducing the risk of miscarriage and genetic diseases.
Benefits:
- Ensures the selection and transfer of only genetically normal embryos
- Provides the most accurate diagnosis for couples with recurrent miscarriage and a genetic disorder
- Allows higher chances of implantation and success.
Natural Cycle IVF
Unlike standard IVF, natural cycle IVF does not entail the use of a high dose of fertility drugs. The procedure is carried out in accordance with the mother’s natural menstrual cycle, and only the naturally mature egg is removed.
Ideal for:
- Women who choose to be less medicated during their treatment
- Those who are susceptible to ovarian hyperstimulation
- Patients with diminished ovarian reserve.
Advantages:
- Gentler on the body
- Lower in price and with fewer unwanted symptoms
- Ethical and natural approach to conception
Uses of Different Types of IVF
Conventional IVF
- Used when the cause of infertility is not clear and is associated with such factors as blocked fallopian tubes, problems with ovulation, or mild male-factor infertility.
- Perfect when eggs and sperm are healthy enough to fertilise naturally.
ICSI (Intracytoplasmic Sperm Injection)
- The method is specifically designed to treat male infertility situations such as an extremely low sperm count, poor motility, or abnormally shaped sperm.
- Helpful when sperm must be surgically retrieved, or when past IVF cycles showed failed fertilisation.
Donor Egg IVF
- It is best suited for women suffering from poor ovarian reserve, going through menopause, or cases where the doctor suspects that gene abnormalities may be passed down through the mother's eggs.
- Also supports single or same-sex male parents choosing a gestational carrier.
Donor Sperm IVF
- If the male partner has no viable sperm, a genetic condition, or in single women and same-sex female couples who are planning pregnancy, this method is used.
Frozen Embryo Transfer (FET)
- It is a perfect option if pregnancy is to be postponed; hormone levels need to be normalised before transfer or after PGT testing.
- Supports embryo preservation for future family planning.
Natural Cycle IVF / Mild Stimulation IVF
- It is a good choice for women who want to take a minimum amount of medicine or those who have a diminished ovarian reserve and will get fewer eggs.
Success Rates Of Types Of IVF
The success of IVF treatments can vary, and mainly depends on the woman’s age at the time of treatment, the cause of infertility, the quality of eggs and sperm, and which IVF method is used. Also, good laboratory practices and clinical protocols can significantly increase the success rate.
Estimated success rates for various types of IVF include:
- Conventional IVF: 50 to 60 per cent per cycle for women under 35 years of age in India.
- ICSI (especially for male-factor infertility): ~ 45–55% per cycle for a woman under 35; decreases with age.
- IVF with donor eggs: ~ 60–70% per cycle in India (with eggs from a young donor)
- Frozen Embryo Transfer (FET) and donor embryo cycles: May achieve ~ 40–60% per cycle, depending on the quality of the embryo and uterus.
These are approximate values and reflect general situations; individual outcomes may vary depending on your fertility profile and clinic. (ref.)
Which Type Of IVF Is Right For You?
Today IVF has multiple variations, your age, fertility diagnosis, medical history, and treatment goals determine the appropriate one. The main elements that direct the choice are:
- Age & ovarian reserve - Normal IVF may be a good option for a younger woman or a woman with good egg quality. Still, a woman with reduced ovarian reserve may need donor egg IVF or mild stimulation cycles.
- Cause of infertility - ICSI is generally preferred when male-factor infertility is present.
- Previous IVF outcomes - If previous cycles failed because of a weak egg response, FET or donor cycles might be the solution to increase the success rate.
- Genetic concerns - The use of PGT in IVF helps in lowering the chances of certain genetic disorders being passed.
Each case is unique; therefore, the consultation with a fertility expert would be the right way to determine the right IVF pathway for you.
Conclusion
IVF treatment nowadays entails a broad range of possibilities such as traditional IVF, ICSI, mini-stimulation therapy, natural cycle IVF, fresh and frozen embryo transfers, donor or specialised cycles. Anyone about to undergo IVF should have an open, well-informed discussion about the type of treatment that suits them best, and their success expectations should be realistic. At Indira IVF, patients are given personalised advice on which IVF method may be most compatible with their fertility profile.
Common Questions Asked
How long is the IVF treatment process?
An IVF cycle generally takes 4–6 weeks, which includes ovarian stimulation, egg retrieval, fertilisation, and embryo transfer. The timeline may be extended with additional steps such as frozen transfers or testing.
Is an IVF procedure painful?
Most of the steps are slightly uncomfortable, but not painful. In most cases, egg retrieval is performed under anaesthesia, so you should not experience pain during the procedure; however, mild cramping may occur.
What is IVF step by step?
IVF comprises ovarian stimulation, egg retrieval, sperm collection, fertilisation in the lab, embryo development, and embryo transfer to the uterus. A pregnancy test is performed approximately 2 weeks after the last menstrual period.
What is the success rate of IVF in the first attempt?
The chances of success are dependent upon the person's age and fertility factors. In general, 30–45% of couples will have a live birth after one IVF cycle, and the likelihood is higher for younger women.
What are the negative effects of IVF?
Possible side effects include mild bloating, mood changes, cramping, or pain after egg retrieval. Very rarely, ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome (OHSS) may also occur and needs treatment.
Can I get pregnant naturally after successful IVF?
Yes. Some women may conceive naturally later on, especially if the infertility was due to some underlying condition or was unexplained. Nevertheless, this depends on the person's overall health and other factors.