In vitro fertilization or IVF is the fertilization of male and female reproductive cells in extracorporeal conditions. IVF works by using a combination of surgical procedures and medication to help sperm fertilize an egg and implant the fertilized egg in the uterus.

First, women use drugs that can mature some of their eggs and make them ready for fertilization. Then the doctor will take the eggs from the body and mix them homogeneously with the sperm in the laboratory. This will help the sperm fertilize the eggs. In the next stage, it puts one or more fertilized eggs directly into the uterus. If any of the embryos implants in the uterus, pregnancy is achieved.

IVF has many different steps, and on average, it takes a few months to complete the whole process. In some cases, this procedure may work on the first try. But many women may need several attempts of IVF to conceive. IVF very likely increases the chances of pregnancy for many people with fertility problems. However, there is no guarantee of pregnancy in any way. Because the physiological characteristics of each person are completely different, and IVF will not work for every woman.

How the IVF Process Works

In summary, the stages of the IVF procedure consist of ovulation induction, immediate collection of eggs, retrieval of sperm, fertilization, and embryo transfer. It includes placing the egg taken from the woman and the sperm to be taken from the man into the woman’s uterus after fertilization in the external environment.

• The first of the steps to be performed in the IVF procedure is the first interview with the people who want to have this procedure. In this step, the doctor will see if the couples will seriously need this procedural process. If there is a need for an IVF procedure, the doctor informs people about the success rates of the treatments. Thus, the treatment plan becomes clear.
• Immediately after the first meeting, the doctor takes action to stimulate the ovaries. In this process, the doctor checks the uterus and ovaries to be at the level in women in the menstrual period using ultrasound. If there is a problem, the doctor first treats it. If all the controls are as they should be, egg developer needle treatment begins. Also, to ultrasound, the specialist examines the amount of the relevant hormone in the blood and examines the egg development in a few days. After the eggs reach a certain size and maturity, the doctor injects the eggs to crack them, and after 2-3 days, the egg collection process takes place.
• After this process, the fertilization of the eggs takes place. The doctor applies the fertilization of the sperm to the eggs to be selected. The specialist follows the development of the fertilized eggs and selects quality embryos from them. Then the embryos in question settle in the mother’s womb. These processes typically occur within a few days.
• The last stage for IVF treatment is the transfer of the embryo. In general, embryo transfer is a painless process. There is no need for anesthesia in this procedure. Before the procedure, the doctor cleans the relevant area and then carefully places the embryos into the uterus. After the transfer process, there is a process of embryo development and attachment to the uterus. A pregnancy test is performed 11-12 days after the transfer.

How Long Does IVF Treatment Take?

IVF treatment begins on the second or third day of the menstrual period. The duration of the treatment, together with the stages of treatment, is 1.5 to 2 weeks. The duration of IVF treatment varies according to the physiological factors, along with the dose of the drug to be given by the doctor.