First of all, what is IVF? It stands for in vitro fertilization, which basically means conceiving outside the womb. The babies conceived through this method are more commonly known as test tube babies. IVF is one of the number of assisted reproductive technologies available, and is the most popular method to date. IVF can be facilitated through a 3-day transfer (which is the standard) or a blastocyst transfer. A 3-day transfer means that embryos will be allowed to develop for three days while a blastocyst transfer allows for five days, after which the embryos will be transferred to the woman’s uterus. More on the said transfers in future posts.
How is IVF done? We will discuss about the most general procedures and go detailed in posts to follow. First, egg cells have to be retrieved from the woman’s ovaries, to be later mixed with the man’s sperm, in order to be cultured. As we know, this will be the fertilization process. The zygote would then be allowed to develop into an embryo (the length depends on the type of transfer above-mentioned). This is the most critical part of the IVF process, as it determines whether or not there would be healthy embryos available for transfer.
If fertilization succeeds, the next step would be transfer of the embryo to the woman’s uterus. It is a painless process (thus needing no anesthesia) which after several days the woman will be able to know if she is pregnant or not. From hereon, the usual course of pregnancy takes over. IVF, as can be assumed, is an expensive process due to the powerful technology used. But, as it is the least invasive, it is most preferred by those who have the money for it.
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