IVF Treatment

What is In Vitro Fertilization (IVF)?

In vitro fertilization (IVF) is a reproductive technology used to assist couples who are unable to conceive naturally. This treatment method has been developed to help couples achieve their dream of having a baby. IVF treatment is a reproductive technology that rejuvenates couples’ hopes and gives them the chance to become parents.

IVF treatment helps couples overcome the challenges they face in becoming parents. This treatment method involves the fertilization of eggs taken from the woman’s ovaries in a laboratory setting and the transfer of resulting embryos to the uterus. This enables couples to have the chance of having a biological child.

While helping couples overcome their challenges, this treatment method has also brought together many happy families. IVF treatment is a life-changing step for couples and will continue to offer hope to more couples in the future.

IVF Treatment Methods

IVF treatment is applied according to the individual needs and medical conditions of couples. IVF treatment includes different methods such as in vitro fertilization (IVF) and intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI).

What is ICSI and how does it differ from standard IVF?

There are two methods of attempting to fertilize eggs during IVF treatment. In ‘standard’ or ‘conventional’ IVF, sperm is prepared in the laboratory from a semen sample and then brought together with eggs in a medical dish. This relies on natural mechanisms for transferring the genetic material of sperm into the egg.

In ICSI, cells surrounding the egg are removed, and a single sperm is selected from the prepared semen sample and injected into the egg using a special microscope and micromanipulation equipment. After this, the rest of the treatment is the same as traditional IVF treatment.

Who is ICSI strongly recommended for?

ICSI is a technique that increases the chances of success in IVF treatment. Most of the time, it is possible to predict which method will be recommended based on the man’s semen analysis. When sperm quality is low, conventional IVF (usually referred to simply as ‘IVF’) can help couples become pregnant, but this increases the risk of failed fertilization and embryo formation. The use of ICSI significantly reduces the risk of failed fertilization and increases the chances of success in such cases. ICSI will be recommended if the man’s semen analysis shows a low sperm count, a low number of progressively motile sperm, and/or a high number of abnormally shaped sperm. If sperm needs to be surgically obtained from the man’s testicles, ICSI will be necessary.

IVF treatments using frozen eggs will always require ICSI because the freezing process alters the outer surface characteristics of the egg and makes it less penetrable by sperm.

If there has never been fertilization in previous IVF attempts or if there has been a very low fertilization rate, we should again opt for ICSI.

What are the advantages of ICSI?

While ICSI does not guarantee fertilization on its own, it can reduce the likelihood of a treatment cycle where none of the eggs are fertilized. It can increase the number of available embryos that can be selected for quality or frozen.

What are the disadvantages of ICSI?

Total fertilization failure can still occur, especially with sperm injections into a small number of eggs. Only a very small number of genetic and developmental abnormalities have been associated with ICSI, and these may be associated with the underlying cause of infertility, rather than the ICSI process itself.

How are the ovaries stimulated before IVF and ICSI?

One of the most important factors affecting the success rate in IVF treatments is embryo quality. Embryo quality is directly related to the quality of the female and male reproductive cells. Therefore, to achieve optimal success in treatment, good quality and quantity of eggs should be obtained. This is closely related to the selection of the appropriate Controlled Ovarian Hyperstimulation (COH) protocol for the patient.

The aim of COH is to obtain an ideal number and quality of eggs from the ovaries in the same cycle. Here, the development of a large number of follicles is targeted. The better the woman’s egg reserve, the greater the number of follicles that can be developed, and thus the greater the number of eggs that can be obtained. The eggs obtained from the follicles are combined with the patient’s partner’s sperm in the embryology laboratory, and the developed embryos are transferred to the uterus in an appropriate number.

Embryo Transfer

Embryo transfer is the stage where fertilized eggs are transferred to the uterus. This step is one of the most important stages of in vitro fertilization (IVF) treatment. Typically, embryo transfer is performed 3-5 days after fertilization. During this time, embryos develop in the laboratory and become suitable for transfer to the uterus.

Embryo transfer is performed by an IVF specialist. The procedure is generally painless and often does not require anesthesia. A thin catheter is inserted into the uterus, and embryos are transferred to the uterus through the catheter. This procedure usually takes a few minutes and is not uncomfortable for the patient. Embryo transfer is usually performed under ultrasound guidance with a full bladder to facilitate the transfer.

After embryo transfer, the patient is rested and usually sent home after a few hours. It is important to avoid heavy physical activity for the first three days after the transfer.

Following embryo transfer, a certain period of time is waited for a pregnancy test to be conducted. This period usually ranges from 10 to 14 days. If the pregnancy test is positive, the patient continues the pregnancy process, and blood β hCG level monitoring can be performed once or twice upon the doctor’s recommendation. However, if the test is negative, the treatment process can be reevaluated, and a new plan can be made.

Other Assisted Reproductive Techniques Used in IVF Treatment

Genetic testing is used to examine the genetic structure of embryos. This allows for the detection of genetic diseases and the selection of healthy embryos. This method provides couples with the chance to transfer quality embryos and achieve a healthy pregnancy.

Another assisted reproductive technique is embryo selection. Embryo selection allows for the selection of the healthiest and most successful embryo by evaluating the morphological and genetic characteristics of embryos. This method increases the chance of pregnancy and ensures the transfer of the correct embryo.

Embryo freezing is also a commonly used assisted reproductive technique in IVF treatment. Embryo freezing involves freezing surplus embryos for later use. This allows for multiple IVF attempts and preserves the quality of embryos.

These assisted reproductive techniques used in IVF treatment provide couples with more options and chances of success. It is important to use these techniques and plan the treatment process according to each couple’s situation. With the guidance of a specialist doctor, couples can choose the most appropriate treatment method and achieve a healthy pregnancy.

What are the medical necessity situations requiring the preservation of reproductive cells and gonadal tissues in women?

– Before treatments that damage gonadal cells such as chemotherapy and radiotherapy,

– Before surgeries that will lead to the loss of reproductive functions (such as surgeries to remove ovaries),

– In cases where there is a documented health board report from three specialist physicians certifying early menopause history in the family or low ovarian reserve in women who have not yet given birth.