IVF,ICSI,PICSI & Intrauterine Insemination(IUI)

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Overview of IVF (In Vitro Fertilization)

πŸ”Ή What is IVF?

IVF, or In Vitro Fertilization, is an advanced form of assisted reproductive technology (ART) used to help individuals and couples conceive when natural conception isn’t possible or has failed. The process involves retrieving eggs from the ovaries, fertilizing them with sperm in a lab (β€œin vitro” means β€œin glass”), and then transferring the embryo into the uterus to achieve pregnancy.

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πŸ”Ή Who Can Benefit from IVF?

IVF is commonly used for:

  • Women with blocked or damaged fallopian tubes

  • Women with ovulation disorders

  • Endometriosis

  • Male infertility (low sperm count or motility issues)

  • Unexplained infertility

  • Women of advanced reproductive age

  • Couples with genetic disorders wanting to avoid transmission

  • Individuals seeking fertility preservation (e.g., cancer patients)

  • Same-sex couples or single parents using donor sperm or eggs

πŸ”Ή Steps Involved in IVF

  1. Ovarian Stimulation
    Hormonal medications are given to stimulate the ovaries to produce multiple eggs.

  2. Egg Retrieval (Ovum Pick-Up)
    Once eggs mature, they are retrieved from the ovaries through a minor procedure under ultrasound guidance.

  3. Sperm Collection & Preparation
    A semen sample is collected, and healthy sperm are isolated.

  4. Fertilization in Lab
    Eggs are fertilized with sperm in the lab (either conventional mixing or via ICSI – Intracytoplasmic Sperm Injection).

  5. Embryo Development
    The fertilized eggs develop into embryos over 3–5 days in a culture medium.

  6. Embryo Transfer
    One or more embryos are transferred into the woman’s uterus. This is a painless and quick procedure.

  7. Pregnancy Test
    About 10–14 days after embryo transfer, a blood test is done to check for pregnancy.

πŸ”Ή Success Rates

  • IVF success depends on age, egg and sperm quality, and overall reproductive health.

  • Women under 35 often have the best success rates (40–50% per cycle).

  • Success declines with increasing age, especially after 40.

πŸ”Ή Risks and Considerations

  • Multiple pregnancies (twins/triplets)

  • Ovarian Hyperstimulation Syndrome (OHSS)

  • Emotional and financial stress

  • Small risk of ectopic pregnancy or miscarriage

πŸ”Ή Additional Techniques with IVF

  • Frozen Embryo Transfer (FET)

  • Donor Eggs/Sperm

  • PGT (Preimplantation Genetic Testing)

  • Surrogacy

  • Minimal or Natural Cycle IVF

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🧬 Why is IVF Done?

IVF is primarily done to help individuals or couples overcome infertility or genetic problems and conceive a healthy baby. It is a cornerstone of assisted reproductive technology (ART) and is considered when other fertility treatments have failed or are unlikely to succeed.

πŸ”Ή 1. Female Factor Infertility

IVF is commonly done when a woman has any of the following issues:

a. Blocked or Damaged Fallopian Tubes

  • Natural fertilization occurs in the fallopian tubes. If they are blocked, IVF bypasses this by fertilizing the egg outside the body.

b. Ovulation Disorders

  • Conditions like PCOS (Polycystic Ovary Syndrome) or hormonal imbalances may prevent regular ovulation, making natural conception difficult.

c. Endometriosis

  • Endometrial tissue outside the uterus can affect egg quality and block the fallopian tubes. IVF can help bypass these issues.

d. Diminished Ovarian Reserve

  • In women with a low number or poor quality of eggs, IVF allows the collection of multiple eggs in one cycle to increase chances of success.

πŸ”Ή 2. Male Factor Infertility

IVF is also used when the male partner has:

  • Low sperm count

  • Poor sperm motility

  • Abnormal sperm morphology

  • Azoospermia (absence of sperm in semen)

In such cases, ICSI (Intracytoplasmic Sperm Injection) is used during IVF, where a single sperm is injected into each egg.

πŸ”Ή 3. Unexplained Infertility

  • When all tests (ovulation, semen analysis, tubes, hormones) are normal but conception doesn’t happen after a year or more of trying, IVF is often the best option.

πŸ”Ή 4. Genetic Disorders

  • Couples who are at risk of passing on genetic disorders (e.g., thalassemia, cystic fibrosis) can undergo Preimplantation Genetic Testing (PGT) during IVF.

  • This allows only genetically healthy embryos to be transferred into the uterus.

πŸ”Ή 5. Fertility Preservation

a. Cancer Patients (Before Chemotherapy/Radiation)

  • Women can freeze their eggs or embryos before starting treatment that may harm fertility.

b. Elective Egg Freezing

  • Women who wish to delay childbearing due to career, education, or personal reasons may freeze eggs for future IVF use.

πŸ”Ή 6. Failed Previous Fertility Treatments

  • IVF is the next step if other treatments like:

    • Ovulation induction

    • Intrauterine Insemination (IUI)

    • Laparoscopic surgery haven’t worked.

πŸ”Ή 7. Use of Donor Gametes or Surrogacy

  • Donor egg/sperm: In cases where one partner lacks viable eggs or sperm.

  • Gestational surrogacy: If the woman has a health condition that makes pregnancy risky (e.g., uterus removal, recurrent miscarriages), IVF embryos are implanted in a surrogate.

πŸ”Ή 8. Same-Sex Couples or Single Parents

  • IVF enables family building for:

    • Same-sex female couples (using donor sperm)

    • Same-sex male couples (using donor egg and surrogate)

    • Single women or men who wish to become parents

Summary: When is IVF Done?

ReasonDescription
Tubal BlockageIVF bypasses the fallopian tubes
Ovulation DisordersOvercomes irregular ovulation
Male Factor InfertilityHelps fertilize egg with ICSI
Unexplained InfertilityOffers a controlled and monitored conception
Genetic ConcernsEnables selection of healthy embryos
Fertility PreservationFreezing eggs/embryos for future use
Failed Other TreatmentsIVF becomes the next-line therapy
Donor Use or SurrogacyHelps those unable to conceive or carry a pregnancy
LGBTQ+ or Single ParentingEnables parenthood with donor/surrogate help

IVF is not just a treatment β€” for many, it is the only pathway to biological parenthood, offering hope where natural methods have failed or are impossible.

IVF Step-by-Step Process

🩺 Step 1: Initial Consultation & Fertility Testing

  • Goal: Understand the cause of infertility and evaluate the couple’s reproductive health.

  • Includes:

    • Hormonal blood tests (AMH, FSH, LH, TSH, prolactin, etc.)

    • Transvaginal ultrasound to assess ovaries and uterus

    • Semen analysis

    • Medical history and physical examination

    • Discussion about expectations, timelines, costs

πŸ’ŠStep 2: Ovarian Stimulation (10–12 days)

  • Goal: Stimulate the ovaries to produce multiple mature eggs (instead of the usual one).

  • How it’s done:

    • Daily hormone injections (FSH, LH)

    • Regular ultrasounds and blood tests to monitor follicle growth

  • Medications used:

    • Gonadotropins (e.g., Gonal-F, Menopur)

    • GnRH antagonists or agonists to prevent premature ovulation

πŸ’‰ Step 3: Final Maturation Trigger

  • Goal: Trigger final egg maturation before egg retrieval.

  • When follicles reach 18–20 mm, a trigger shot (e.g., hCG or GnRH agonist) is given.

  • Egg retrieval is scheduled exactly 34–36 hours later.

πŸ§ͺ Step 4: Egg Retrieval (Ovum Pick-Up)

  • Procedure: Minor surgical procedure done under light anesthesia.

  • How: A needle is guided through the vaginal wall to aspirate fluid from follicles in the ovaries.

  • Duration: 20–30 minutes

  • Outcome: 5–20+ eggs are typically retrieved

🧬 Step 5: Sperm Collection & Preparation

  • On the same day as egg retrieval, sperm is collected from the male partner (or a donor).

  • Semen is washed and processed to extract the healthiest and most motile sperm.

🧫 Step 6: Fertilization

There are two methods:

  1. Conventional IVF: Eggs and sperm are mixed in a petri dish and allowed to fertilize naturally.

  2. ICSI (Intracytoplasmic Sperm Injection): A single sperm is injected directly into each mature egg (used in cases of male infertility).

🌱 Step 7: Embryo Culture (3–5 Days)

  • Fertilized eggs are monitored as they divide and grow in a lab.

  • By Day 3, embryos reach 6–8 cell stage.

  • By Day 5, they develop into a blastocyst (more advanced and viable for implantation).

🧬 Optional: Preimplantation Genetic Testing (PGT)

  • Embryos can be biopsied at the blastocyst stage and tested for genetic or chromosomal abnormalities.

  • This helps select the healthiest embryos for transfer.

🧷 Step 8: Embryo Transfer

  • Usually done on Day 3 or Day 5 after fertilization.

  • A selected embryo is transferred into the uterus using a thin catheter.

  • Painless, outpatient procedure, no anesthesia needed.

  • Remaining embryos can be frozen for future use (FET).

πŸ’Š Step 9: Luteal Phase Support

  • Progesterone supplements (injections or vaginal gels) are given daily to support the uterine lining and aid implantation.

βœ… Step 10: Pregnancy Test

  • 10–14 days after embryo transfer, a blood test (Ξ²-hCG) is done to confirm pregnancy.

  • If positive, early ultrasounds are scheduled to confirm the heartbeat.

πŸ“Œ Summary Table: IVF Process Timeline

StepDescriptionDuration
1. Fertility EvaluationTests and planning1–2 weeks
2. Ovarian StimulationHormone injections, monitoring10–12 days
3. Egg RetrievalMinor procedure under sedation1 day
4. Sperm CollectionSame day as retrieval1 day
5. FertilizationConventional or ICSI1 day
6. Embryo DevelopmentMonitoring embryos3–5 days
7. Embryo TransferTransfer selected embryo1 day
8. Pregnancy TestBlood test for hCGAfter 10–14 days
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Where Science Meets Compassion in Fertility Care

Choosing the right IVF centre is one of the most important decisions for couples or individuals seeking fertility treatment. Niraj IVF stands out as a trusted destination for personalized, ethical, and advanced fertility care.

πŸ”¬ 1. Advanced Technology & State-of-the-Art Lab

  • Equipped with world-class infrastructure, including modern embryology labs, ICSI, laser-assisted hatching, and blastocyst culture facilities.

  • Use of cutting-edge techniques like Preimplantation Genetic Testing (PGT) and Time-Lapse Embryo Monitoring to enhance success rates.

  • Adherence to international standards for temperature, air quality, and sterility in IVF labs.

πŸ‘©β€βš•οΈ 2. Highly Experienced Fertility Specialists

  • Led by a team of nationally recognized doctors with years of experience in treating complex infertility cases.

  • Personalized attention from consultation to pregnancy care.

  • Expertise in treating:

    • PCOS

    • Endometriosis

    • Male infertility

    • Recurrent pregnancy loss

    • Advanced maternal age

πŸ’― 3. High Success Rates

  • Transparent and consistently high clinical pregnancy and live birth rates.

  • Evidence-based treatment protocols.

  • Strong focus on quality embryos and personalized embryo transfer strategies.

❀️ 4. Ethical & Transparent Care

  • Clear communication about treatment options, pricing, and expectations.

  • No hidden costs or unnecessary procedures.

  • Compassionate counseling provided throughout the journey.

🌈 5. Full Spectrum of Fertility Services

  • Ovulation Induction & IUI

  • IVF / ICSI

  • Frozen Embryo Transfer (FET)

  • Donor Egg/Sperm Programs

  • Surrogacy

  • Fertility preservation (egg, sperm, embryo freezing)

  • Genetic testing for inherited disorders

πŸ§ͺ 6. In-House Diagnostic Facilities

  • On-site advanced ultrasound, hormone testing, semen analysis, and genetic labs ensure quicker results and smoother treatment.

πŸ§˜β€β™€οΈ 7. Holistic Support System

  • Emotional and psychological support for couples throughout the journey.

  • Nutritional counseling and wellness guidance.

  • Stress-reduction strategies including yoga and meditation (if available).

πŸ“ 8. Comfortable, Accessible & Patient-Friendly Environment

  • Centrally located and easily reachable.

  • Modern clinic with a warm, welcoming atmosphere.

  • Minimal waiting times and patient-centric scheduling.

🌍 9. Support for All Types of Families

  • Inclusive care for:

    • Heterosexual couples

    • Single parents

    • LGBTQ+ individuals/couples

  • Guidance with legal aspects of surrogacy and donor treatments, if needed.

πŸ† Patient Testimonials & Proven Track Record

  • Hundreds of happy families created.

  • Positive word-of-mouth and glowing reviews from former patients.

  • Many success stories even after failed IVF cycles elsewhere.

βœ… In Summary: Why Niraj IVF?

FeatureWhat It Means for You
Experienced SpecialistsTrusted hands, high expertise
Modern Lab TechnologyBetter embryo quality and outcomes
Personalized Treatment PlansFocused on your unique fertility journey
Transparent PricingNo surprises, just ethical care
Comprehensive ServicesOne-stop solution for all fertility needs
High Success RatesMore chances of bringing home a baby