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

What do we know about artificial insemination? Many consider this a 100 percent method to get pregnant. And many couples are convinced that problems with conception are treated by an ordinary gynecologist, and because of this they lose precious time. But 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.

It is accessible and most importantly tells about in vitro fertilization reproductologist, obstetrician-gynecologist of the highest category of the capital clinic "Oxford Medical" Venera Doroshenko.

Venera Doroshenko

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

What is IVF and in what cases is it prescribed?

More than 30 years ago, the IVF method began to be used in Ukraine. This is an infertility treatment 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 under laboratory conditions. That's why the method is called extracorporeal, that is, the one that takes place outside the woman's body.

There is a clear medical indication for the IVF program. They can be divided into the following main groups:

• Fallopian tube problems. They are either impassable or absent as a result of surgery due to ectopic pregnancy or inflammation;
• if other methods, such as operating on a woman, stimulating ovulation, treating a man, do not help;
• a critical decrease in the number of eggs or their absence in a woman (in this case, donation of eggs is assumed);
• the absence of a uterus, which is an indication for the surrogate motherhood program;
• genetic diseases in a couple. Then IVF is done to examine the zygote for chromosomal or genetic abnormalities to prevent pregnancy with fetal defects. Such pathologies are often the cause of the freezing of the embryo or the impossibility of carrying a child. Thus, the method makes it possible to select and transfer healthy researched cells to reduce the risk of giving birth to a baby with chromosomal abnormalities;
• in the case of male infertility, when the activity of spermatozoa 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 who undergo an IVF program 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 in their 30s and 44s will show different results.

Why are factors such as time and specialist specialization 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 first, it can be 60% of a successful pregnancy, and for the second - only 15-20%!

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

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

But one of the main success factors is timely referral to a specialist. In order not to lose the chance of pregnancy in the future, you should consult a reproductive specialist as early as possible. If the desired pregnancy does not occur after six months, do not waste time, get screened in the appropriate department of a multidisciplinary or specialized clinic. It is there that the doctor will make the correct diagnosis and send 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 the onset of pregnancy in the hope that this specialist will cure her. However, the gynecologist has a limited resource, he often does not have the technical capabilities and knowledge to provide timely help. And in specialized institutions or departments of multi-specialty clinics, a couple, I note - not only a woman, will undergo a full examination. But first you need to turn to a reproductive specialist.

What should a couple be ready for?

Before IVF, the protocol provides for a thorough examination of both the woman and the man. The couple passes clinical and laboratory tests and consults a therapist and related doctors if they have chronic diseases. This allows determining the causes of infertility and reveals contraindications for pregnancy and carrying a child.

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

Only after a comprehensive examination, absence of contraindications and treatment of chronic diseases, the woman is stimulated and the IVF procedure is carried out. Therefore, the time of onset of pregnancy can vary from 1,5 months with good indicators and up 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;
• on the part of the therapist - diseases in which the carrying of a pregnancy may threaten the life and health of a woman. For example, hypertension, heart disease, tumors, neoplasms, kidney failure. The list of pathologies is really long.

IVF algorithm

1. Depending on the hormonal background, the woman is prescribed ovulation stimulation. This is a course of gonadotropin injections with the aim of obtaining several eggs. It lasts approximately 12-14 days. During stimulation, which occurs during ultrasound monitoring in the clinic, the doctor observes how the follicles grow.
2. When the follicles increase to a certain diameter, their puncture is prescribed. For the manipulation, the woman comes together with her husband, everything is done in the operating room under intravenous anesthesia. During the collection of follicles, the specialist receives eggs. On the same day, the man donates sperm.
3. After that, there is a period of embryo cultivation in laboratory conditions — 5-6 days.
4. After 5 days, the woman comes to transfer the embryos into the uterus. Hormonal support is prescribed to her.
5. When 2 weeks pass, the woman takes a blood test for hCG (chorionic gonadotropin) and thus finds out whether the desired pregnancy has occurred.

Features of pregnancy thanks to IVF thanks to IVF

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

In addition to hormonal support and a more attentive attitude to well-being, the management of a pregnancy caused by artificial insemination does not differ from the usual one.

Of course, the advantage will be for a multi-disciplinary clinic, where a woman in a position without extra trouble will be able to pass all the necessary tests in certain trimesters. And it is better to be observed by a doctor who has experience in managing pregnancy after IVF.

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

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

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