Contact a reproductive specialist on time: when artificial insemination (IVF) gives hope of becoming a mother

What do we know about artificial insemination? Many people consider it a 100% surefire way to get pregnant. And many couples are convinced that problems with conception are treated by a regular gynecologist, and because of this they lose precious time. After all, it, or rather the age of a woman, plays an important role in the possibility of becoming a mother. Both naturally and with the help of IVF.

Accessible and most importantly tells about in vitro fertilization reproductive specialist, Venera Doroshenko, obstetrician-gynecologist of the highest category of the metropolitan clinic “Oxford Medical”.

Venera Doroshenko

Reproducologist, obstetrician - gynecologist of the highest category of the capital's clinic "Oxford Medical"

What is IVF and in what cases is it prescribed?

More than 30 years ago, Ukraine began using the IVF method. This is a treatment for infertility, in which the main stage of fertilization does not occur in the woman's body, but in a test tube. In other words, the fusion of male and female gametes (sperm and egg) is carried out in laboratory conditions. That is why the method is called extracorporeal, that is, one that is carried out outside the woman's body.

There are clear medical indications for IVF. They can be divided into the following main groups:

• Problems with the fallopian tubes. They are either blocked or absent due to surgery due to ectopic pregnancy or inflammation;
• if other methods, such as surgery on the woman, stimulation of ovulation, treatment of the man, do not help;
• a critical decrease in the number of eggs or their absence in a woman (in this case, egg donation is envisaged);
• absence of a uterus, which is an indication for a surrogacy program;
• genetic diseases in the couple. Then IVF is done to examine the zygote for chromosomal or genetic abnormalities in order to prevent pregnancy with fetal defects. Such pathologies are often the cause of embryo death or the inability to carry a child. Thus, the method allows you to select and transfer healthy examined cells to reduce the risk of having a baby with chromosomal abnormalities;
• in the case of male infertility, when sperm activity is low.

Sometimes, when a woman does not have a partner and insemination (fertilization from a donor) does not help, IVF using donor sperm is also used.

According to world statistics, 50-60% of women undergoing IVF become pregnant. The success of this method mainly depends on the age of the patient and the number of embryos obtained. It is clear that women at 30 and 44 years old will show different results.

Why factors such as time and specialization of a specialist are important

The expert notes that the probability of pregnancy depends on the supply of eggs, the number of which decreases with age. Therefore, the statistics for 30- and 40-year-old women are very different. For the former, it can be 60% of successful pregnancy, and for the latter - only 15-20%!

More mature couples, of course, have a chance to become parents through IVF, but it is much more difficult. They need to be prepared for unsuccessful attempts, because there are very few eggs left for fertilization.

The prudent approach of modern 30-year-old women who, due to careers, war, or other reasons, freeze their eggs to have children at an older age is very wise.

But one of the main factors of success is timely consultation with a specialist. In order not to lose the chance of pregnancy in the future, it is worth consulting a reproductive specialist as early as possible. If the desired pregnancy does not occur within six months, do not waste time, go through screening in the appropriate department of a multidisciplinary or specialized clinic. It is there that the doctor will correctly diagnose and direct the couple on the fast track to parenthood.

Due to ignorance, a woman can go to a gynecologist for 5, 6, 10 years and wait for pregnancy in the hope that this specialist will cure her. However, a gynecologist has limited resources, he often does not have the technical capabilities and knowledge to provide timely assistance. And in specialized institutions or departments of multidisciplinary clinics, a couple, I note – not only a woman, will undergo a full examination. But first you need to contact a reproductologist.

What should a couple be prepared for?

Before IVF, the protocol involves a thorough examination of both the woman and the man. The couple undergoes clinical and laboratory tests and undergoes consultations with a therapist and allied doctors if they have chronic diseases. This allows us to determine the causes of infertility and identify contraindications for pregnancy and carrying a child.

In particular, the woman is checked for infections, undergoes a hormonal examination, an ultrasound of the pelvic organs, mammary glands, and thyroid gland, and is examined by a therapist and an endocrinologist. The man is required to have a spermogram and tests for syphilis, HIV, hepatitis B, and C.

Only after a comprehensive examination, the absence of contraindications and treatment of chronic diseases, the woman undergoes stimulation and undergoes the IVF procedure. Therefore, the time of pregnancy can vary from 1,5 months with good indicators to several months or more in case of detection of infections or general pathologies of the body.

What are the contraindications for IVF:

• The most common infections are syphilis and hepatitis;
• from the therapist's side - diseases in which carrying a pregnancy can threaten the life and health of a woman. For example, hypertension, heart defects, tumors, neoplasms, renal failure. The list of pathologies is actually large.

IVF algorithm

1. Depending on the hormonal background, the woman is prescribed ovulation stimulation. This is a course of gonadotropin injections to obtain several eggs. It lasts approximately 12-14 days. During stimulation, which takes place during ultrasound monitoring in the clinic, the doctor observes how the follicles grow.
2. When the follicles grow to a certain diameter, their puncture is prescribed. The woman comes to the procedure with her husband, everything is done in the operating room under intravenous anesthesia. During the follicle collection, the specialist receives the eggs. On the same day, the husband donates sperm.
3. This is followed by a period of embryo cultivation in laboratory conditions – 5-6 days.
4. After 5 days, the woman comes for embryo transfer into the uterus. She is prescribed hormonal support.
5. When 2 weeks have passed, the woman takes a blood test for hCG (chorionic gonadotropin) and finds out whether the desired pregnancy has occurred.

Features of pregnancy through IVF

The Ministry of Health limits the IVF procedure to 1-2 embryos, so the probability of triplets forming is very low. Although there are very rare cases when the embryo divides.

Apart from hormonal support and a more attentive attitude to well-being, managing a pregnancy that occurred through artificial insemination is no different from a normal one.

Of course, the advantage will be in a multidisciplinary clinic, where a woman, with hope, will be able to take all the necessary tests in certain trimesters without unnecessary hassle. And it is better to be observed by a doctor who has experience in managing pregnancies after IVF.

In conclusion, the expert emphasized that the IVF program should not be perceived as a panacea. This treatment method is performed only for medical reasons. However, it is precisely it that allows you to learn about the causes of infertility and come to motherhood fully examined, when the couple knows everything about their health, reproductive system and chronic diseases that prevent pregnancy or threaten fetal development abnormalities.

Trust the experience of a reproductive specialist and overcome problems together without wasting time, effort, and money.

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