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IVF Full Form: (In Vitro Feralization), Process, Choose & Success rates

Dr. Pujil Gulati, IVF Specialist with over 13 years of experience in Assisted Reproductive Techniques BabyBloom IVF Gurgaon

January 4, 2025

What is the Full Form of IVF?

IVF Full Form: (In vitro fertilization) is a process where a woman’s egg and a man’s sperm are combined outside the body in a lab. “In vitro” means “outside the body,” and “fertilization” means the sperm has entered the egg.

Usually, fertilization happens inside a woman’s body. When the fertilized egg attaches to the womb and grows, it leads to the birth of a baby after about 9 months. This natural process is called unassisted conception.

IVF, on the other hand, is a type of assisted reproductive technology (ART). It uses advanced medical techniques to help women get pregnant, especially when other, more affordable fertility methods don’t work

Understanding the IVF Process

1. Ovarian Stimulation (Super Ovulation)

Fertility medicines are given to women to help produce more eggs than usual. Normally, a woman produces just one egg each month, but these medicines signal the ovaries to make several eggs.

During this process, doctors monitor the woman closely with regular ultrasounds to check her ovaries and use blood tests to track hormone levels

2. Egg Retrieval Process

To remove eggs from the woman’s body, a minor surgery called follicular aspiration is performed. This procedure is usually done at the doctor’s office, and the woman is given medicine to avoid any pain.

Using ultrasound images for guidance, the doctor inserts a thin needle through the vagina into the ovary and the sacs (follicles) that hold the eggs. The needle is attached to a suction device, which gently removes the eggs and fluid from each follicle, one at a time.

The same process is repeated for the other ovary. Some mild cramping may occur afterward, but it usually goes away within a day. In rare cases, a pelvic laparoscopy might be needed to remove the eggs. If the woman cannot produce eggs, donated eggs can be used instead

3. Fertilization and Insemination

The man’s sperm is combined with the best-quality eggs in a process called insemination. These eggs and sperm are then kept in a special chamber with controlled conditions. Fertilization usually happens within a few hours when the sperm enters the egg.

If there’s a low chance of fertilization, the doctor may inject the sperm directly into the egg. This technique is called intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI). Many fertility clinics regularly use ICSI on some of the eggs, even when everything seems normal.

4. Embryo Development (Culture)

Once the fertilized egg starts dividing, it becomes an embryo. Lab staff monitor the embryo closely to ensure it is growing correctly. By around day 5, a healthy embryo will have several actively dividing cells.

Couples at high risk of passing on a genetic disorder may opt for pre-implantation genetic diagnosis (PGD). This procedure is usually done 3 to 5 days after fertilization. Scientists take a cell or a few cells from each embryo and test them for specific genetic disorders.

5. Embryo Transfer to the Womb

Embryos are transferred into the woman’s womb 3 to 5 days after fertilization and egg retrieval. This simple procedure is done at the doctor’s office while the woman is awake.

The doctor uses a thin tube (catheter) to gently place the embryos through the vagina, cervix, and into the womb. If an embryo attaches to the womb’s lining and begins to grow, it results in pregnancy.

Often, more than one embryo is transferred, which can increase the chances of twins, triplets, or more. The number of embryos transferred depends on factors like the woman’s age. Any unused embryos can be frozen for future use or donated later.

Why Choose In Vitro Fertilization (IVF)?

People choose IVF for various reasons related to fertility issues. Some common factors include:

Blocked or Damaged Fallopian Tubes: When the fallopian tubes are blocked, natural fertilization can’t happen, making IVF a good option.

Male Factor Infertility: Low sperm count or poor sperm movement can prevent natural conception, but IVF can help with fertilization.

Age-Related Infertility: Women in their late 30s or older may experience a decline in egg quality. IVF helps by selecting and fertilizing the healthiest eggs. For More Information Visit:- BabyBloom IVF Best IVF Centre in Gurgaon, Haryana IVF Full Form: (In vitro fertilization)

Unexplained Infertility: When the cause of infertility is unclear, couples may turn to IVF as a solution.

Genetic Screening: IVF can also be used to screen embryos for genetic conditions, ensuring that only healthy embryos are transferred.

Understanding the Next Steps After IVF Treatment

After the embryo transfer, the woman may be advised to rest for the rest of the day, but complete bed rest is usually not needed unless there’s a higher risk of ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome (OHSS). Most women can return to normal activities the next day.

For 8 to 10 weeks following the embryo transfer, women undergoing IVF must take daily progesterone shots or pills. Progesterone is a hormone that helps prepare the uterus lining for embryo attachment and supports the embryo’s growth. If pregnancy occurs, progesterone may need to be continued for 8 to 12 weeks to prevent miscarriage due to low progesterone levels.

Around 12 to 14 days after the transfer, a pregnancy test will be performed to confirm if implantation was successful.

Women should contact their healthcare provider immediately if they experience:

A fever above 100.5°F (38°C)
Pelvic pain
Heavy vaginal bleeding
Blood in the urine

Understanding IVF Success Rates

The success rates of IVF depend on various factors like age, overall health, and the cause of infertility. However, at Babybloom IVF, we are proud to consistently achieve success rates of over 82%. IVF Full Form: (In vitro fertilization)