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In Vitro Fertilization literally means ‘fertilization in glass’, hence the familiar name of ‘test tube baby’. Eggs are fertilized in a laboratory dish with sperm and then place inside the woman’s womb. When other fertilization techniques have failed, the mother may be older or there is no apparent reason for infertility, then In Vitro Fertilization is frequently recommended.

Whilst every clinic works slightly differently, the main procedure is a fairly routine one. Initially your physician will give you hormone blocking drugs normally produced during your menstrual period. Blocking the hormones helps the doctor have greater control over your egg production. Further drugs are given to ensure your ovaries create more than a single egg.

IVF Protocols...

It’s important that levels of estrogen produced by the eggs are monitored so a combination of blood tests and vaginal ultrasound scans are used. All these tests are designed to show when the time is right for an injection of another hormone to help the eggs mature. The eggs are collected between 34 and 38 hours after the injection is given so the timing for it is crucial. Eggs are usually collected by ultrasound guidance which takes around 30 minutes and you are either given a drug to make you drowsy or a general anesthetic.

It is now the male’s job to ensure that a fresh sperm sample is ready. To make sure that the best sperm are used for the process, the sample is washed and then spun at high speed, this will give the healthiest and the most active sperm. If you are using donated sperm, the sample is taken from the freezer and prepared in the same way. The process can take between 16 and 20 hours during which time the sperm and eggs are allowed to mix in a laboratory dish before they are inspected to find out if the fertilization was successful. During the next stage, only successfully fertilized embryos are kept and left for a further 24 to 48 hours before a final check is done.

In order to help prepare your womb, pessaries, gel or an injection are given two days after your eggs have been collected.

IVF Protocols

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