In Vitro fertilization is a reproductive treatment method for increasing pregnancy rate. At Star International Fertility Center, we use special embryological technique to maximize the success of pregnancy. In the beginning of the course, the patient is stimulated with injected medications to develop multiple follicles in the ovaries. Since the hormone concentration used is higher than the ones used by artificial insemination, more follicles will grow. Besides continuous injection therapy, during stimulation, blood (hormone level) and 3D ultrasound (measures follicle volume) testing is done every few days to monitor the development of the follicles in the ovaries. Our experienced physician will analyze the data and will adjust hormonal injection concentration accordingly.
When the doctor sees that the follicles are ready, ovulation is triggered with a gonadotropin product. It initiates the release and maturation of the egg. At the same time, an appointment will be made for egg retrieval. It is imperative that the patient comes to the fertility clinic at that time. During egg retrieval, transvaginal ultrasound aspiration is used and a very thin needle is inserted into the vagina to remove all the mature eggs from the ovary. The patient is fully sedated so during the 15-20 min of the procedure no discomfort is felt.
After retrieval of the eggs, the technician will place them in a special incubator with conditions similar to the human body. We will also put the semen from the partner under special treatment and choose the most viable and strongest for fertilization. Either insemination or intra-cytoplasmic sperm injection can be done. During insemination, healthy sperm and mature eggs are mixed and placed in an incubator for natural fertilization. If sperm quality or number is low, intracytoplasmic sperm injection is recommended. In intracytoplasmic sperm injection, under 400 X inverted microscope, a single healthy sperm is injected directly into each mature egg with a very thin microscopic needle. After successful fertilization, we will place the embryo in a strictly controlled incubator for three to five days. Afterwards, under ultrasound guidance, it is placed into the uterus by a long thin catheter.
Since the embryo has no capability of movement, we will choose the best place for implantation for it to directly settle.
During the process of in vitro fertilization, the doctor will decide whether special techniques like computer assisted location tracker or laser assisted hatching are necessary for a successful pregnancy.
After implantation of the embryo, a high dose progesterone supplement and injections are given for stability of the uterine lining. Two weeks later, a pregnancy test can be done and the remaining embryos can be frozen for possibility of future implantation.
Using the following techniques and processes,
we are able to increase pregnancy rate. Therefore, the success rate of in vitro fertilization for 35 year old and younger women is up to around 60%.