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Everything You Need to Know about IVF

Team AckoFeb 8, 2024

What is IVF?

Contents

Checking your health
Be prepared for side effects
Pregnancy risk or birth complications
IVF and its demands
Does IVF guarantee pregnancy?

IVF stands for in vitro fertilization, which is the most effective treatment to treat infertility. The doctor prescribes medicines, which will cause the eggs to mature, thereby getting them ready for fertilization. Under general anaesthesia, the doctor will remove the eggs from the ovaries and mix them with sperm in the lab resulting in fertilization of eggs. One or more fertilized eggs are then put directly into the uterus. After about 2 weeks, a blood test is done to check if the IVF has given the desired result, i.e. if the pregnancy is positive.

The entire process involves regular doctor appointments, medications, surgical procedures, blood tests and ultrasounds. The time range for one complete IVF cycle can be from 4 weeks to 2 months depending on how the body responds to the treatment.

The aim of the IVF cycle is to get you one step closer to pregnancy. You are excited and hopeful it's going to work for you but at the same time this can also be stressful as its pricey, time consuming, and puts your patience to test.

There is a possibility you may have to undergo few more rounds of IVF cycles if the earlier ones have not worked. To ease the stress and worries, knowing beforehand about this process, will eliminate your doubts and help you get physically and mentally prepared for the IVF cycle.

Checking your health

Get your health in best shape. Work on achieving an ideal weight, avoid alcohol and smoking. If you have medical conditions like diabetes and blood pressure, try to get them under control.

Be prepared for side effects

As hormones are being injected in your body for the eggs to mature, you may experience breast tenderness, cramping, bloating discomforts. In case the fertility drugs result in the making of too many eggs, it can cause Ovarian Hyperstimulation Syndrome(OHSS). The side effects in this case will be weight gain, dizziness, shortness of breath, nausea and vomiting. However, OHSS condition resolves on its own.

Pregnancy risk or birth complications

During IVF cycle if more than one embryo is implanted, the chances are higher of getting pregnant with multiples. This increases the risk of babies being born with low birth weight and the would-be mother going into premature labour. In order to minimize this risk, genetic screening on embryos is a good option. After the screening is done and all is okay, the doctor decides to get the screened embryo transferred to the uterus.

IVF and its demands

IVF demands your time and patience. It is also pricey. The whole process can be stressful and can take a toll on your relationship. There is no guarantee the first IVF cycle will ensure pregnancy. You have to be mentally prepared there can be a few more rounds of IVF for it to work. The only way to combat all these stressors is to be well-informed about the procedure, its pros and cons.

Does IVF guarantee pregnancy?

The next question to be addressed is does IVF guarantee pregnancy?

The answer is no! But surely, it is the best shot one can give to treat infertility and get pregnant. Above all, please take good care of yourself. Try to relax, have a massage, meditate, and pursue a hobby that you like whenever you feel low or stressed out. Don’t forget self-care.

Explore More Articles on IVF treatments

Does Paternal Age affect the Success of IVF?

IVF: How Does it Work?

Understanding the 6 Types of Assisted Reproductive Treatment

Everything You Need to Know about IVF

Things You Should Know Before Going for IVF

Top Tips to Deal with Anxiety Related to Infertility

What is Egg Freezing & How Does it Work?

Disclaimer: This content is for informational purposes only, based on industry experience and secondary sources. It is not a substitute for professional advice. Please consult a qualified expert for health or insurance-related decisions. Content is subject to change, refer to current policy wordings for specific ACKO details.

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