If you are struggling to get pregnant even after having unprotected sex for several months or years, In Vitro Fertilization may be the way for you. You’ve heard of it, but do you know what it is?
What is IVF?
During an in vitro fertilization, your eggs are fertilized by sperm in a laboratory. One or more of these fertilized eggs are transferred inside your uterus that is expected to implant and result in pregnancy.Â
How long does it take?
Your doctor may advise you to suppress your ovulation so that IVF can be timed. Ironically, you may be required to take birth control pills at this stage. Secondly, you may take hormone injections with follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), luteinizing hormone (LH) or both to stimulate your uterus. Your doctor may recommend blood tests to monitor your hormone levels and some ultrasounds to monitor the number of egg follicles, their development, and how well the uterine lining is thickening.Â
Then, the eggs are ready for retrieval eight to fourteen days after the maturation. In 36 hours after the hCG (human chorionic gonadotropin) shot, Your eggs will be ready for retrieval. Most doctors try to retrieve from as low as two or three eggs to 15 eggs per cycle. Egg retrieval typically takes 20 to 30 minutes and is done under IV sedation, so you won’t feel any discomfort.Â
Does IVF increase the chance of twins?
Although the chance of twin pregnancy due to becoming less common now, IVF is known to increase the chance of twins more than a natural conception. When you go through the treatment it is possible that more than 1 embryo is transferred in the process. Even when only one embryo is transferred it is possible that it divides resulting in identical twins.
