IVF: Who Needs It and When to Choose?

In today’s world, many couples face challenges when trying to conceive a baby. When natural methods don’t work, couples often turn to medical help. One of the most advanced options available is called in-vitro fertilization, or IVF. This treatment helps couples who have trouble getting pregnant by combining an egg and sperm in a laboratory. But who should consider IVF, and when is the right time to choose it? 

This blog explores these questions, offering insights into when IVF might be the best option for starting or growing your family.

The Goal of IVF

The main goal of IVF is to help couples who are having trouble conceiving. IVF helps with a variety of fertility problems by performing the fertilization process outside the body and supporting the early development of the embryo. It gives hope to couples who cannot get pregnant naturally or with other fertility treatments.

Watch the video of Dr. Richa Singh on “IVF: Who needs it and when to choose it”  https://youtu.be/iL9BMdvu98g?si=4cUPJLHOw5HxHWoV 

Who Needs to Go for IVF Treatment?

IVF is a good option for many people and couples who have trouble conceiving. Here are some common infertility cases where IVF may be considered the best option:

1. Blocked or Damaged Fallopian Tubes: Women with blocked or severely damaged fallopian tubes may find IVF to be the most effective way to conceive, as it bypasses the need for the tubes to facilitate fertilization.
2. Male Infertility: Problems such as low sperm count, poor sperm motility, or abnormal sperm morphology can be overcome with IVF, especially when it is combined with intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI), where a single sperm is injected directly into the egg.
3. Endometriosis: This condition, in which tissue from the lining of the uterus grows outside of it, can interfere with egg quality and fertilization. IVF can help by directly handling eggs and embryos in a controlled environment.
4. Ovulation Disorders: Women with irregular ovulation or lack of ovulation can benefit from IVF, as it allows controlled ovarian stimulation and egg retrieval.
5. Unexplained Infertility: When doctors cannot find a clear cause of infertility after several tests, they may suggest IVF to increase the chances of conceiving.
6. Genetic Disorders: Couples who may have fertility problems due to a genetic disorder can use IVF with preimplantation genetic testing (PGT) to select embryos that are healthy and free of genetic problems.
7. Previous IVF Failures: Couples who have tried other fertility treatments without success may choose IVF as a more advanced option to help them conceive.
8. Advanced maternal age: As women age, it becomes more difficult for them to conceive naturally. For women over the age of 35, especially those 40 or older, IVF may be more effective. IVF helps by selecting the healthiest eggs and carefully fertilizing them, increasing the chances of a successful pregnancy.

What Factors Should You Consider When Choosing an IVF Treatment Plan?

Choosing the right IVF treatment plan means thinking about many things to make sure it works well for you. Here are some key points:

1. Age: Age plays an important role in fertility and IVF success rates. Younger women generally have higher success rates, while older women may need additional treatments or donor eggs.
2. Fertility Health: Evaluating the reproductive health of both partners through tests such as egg count testing for women and sperm analysis for men helps decide the best treatment plan.
3. Clinic Success Rates: Researching the success rates of different fertility clinics can help you understand which clinics are more likely to help you conceive. With a success rate of over 70%, Urvara Fertility Centre often has better skills and uses advanced technology, which can increase your chances of having a child.
4. Treatment Options: IVF treatments can be different for each fertility patient, including conventional IVF, ICSI, and frozen embryo transfer (FET). Discuss with your doctor to find out which option is best for you.
5. Cost: IVF treatment can be expensive, and costs may differ between clinics. It is important to consider the financial side and check if an EMI option is available for the treatment.
6. Emotional Support: IVF can be tough emotionally. Check if the clinic provides counseling and support to help you deal with stress.
7. Doctor and Specialist Experience: The experience and expertise of your doctor and fertility specialists are important. Look for specialists with a high success rate for successful IVF treatment.

Also, Read:- Pre-IVF Treatment Checkups 

Understanding the Advantages, Disadvantages and Potential Risks of IVF

Like any medical procedure, IVF also has its advantages, disadvantages, and potential risks. It’s important to understand these factors to help you decide if IVF is right for you or not.

Advantages of IVF

1. High Success Rates: IVF success rates are often better than those of other fertility treatments, especially for certain infertility issues.
2. Genetic Screening: Pre-implantation genetic testing (PGT) is used in IVF to screen for genetic disorders and select healthy embryos before implantation.
3. Control Over Timing: IVF allows couples to have an accurate time for scheduled fertilization and embryo transfer, which can be useful for busy couples.
4. Multiple Cycles: Frozen embryos from previous cycles can be reused in subsequent attempts, meaning the need for ongoing hormone treatment and egg storage is reduced.

Disadvantages of IVF

1. Cost: IVF can be expensive and may require multiple attempts to be successful, which increases your financial burden.
2. Emotional Stress: This process can be emotionally challenging because there is a possibility that it may not work.
3. Multiple Pregnancies: IVF may increase the chance of multiple pregnancies, such as twins or triplets. This can lead to additional health risks for both the mother and the baby.

Risks of IVF

1. Ovarian Hyperstimulation Syndrome (OHSS): An excessive response to ovarian stimulation can lead to ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome (OHSS), which causes the ovaries to become swollen and painful.
2. Ectopic Pregnancy: There is a low risk that the embryo will implant outside the uterus, causing an ectopic pregnancy.
3. Birth Defects: Although the risk is low, some studies suggest that IVF may slightly increase the chance of birth defects.
4. Miscarriage: The risk of miscarriage is the same as with natural conception, but may be affected by the mother’s age and other factors.

Decisions to Make

When considering IVF, you’ll need to make several important decisions:

1. Number of Embryos to Transfer: The decision about how many embryos to transfer can affect the chances of success and the risk of multiple pregnancies.
2. Use of Donor Eggs or Sperm: For individuals or couples with serious fertility problems, the use of donor eggs or sperm may be recommended.
3. Genetic Testing: Genetic testing, known as preimplantation genetic testing (PGT), can be an important step in the IVF process. PGT checks for genetic abnormalities in embryos to make sure they are healthy and free from certain genetic conditions before they are implanted into the uterus.
4. Frozen Embryo Transfer (FET): Many people wonder whether it is better to use fresh or frozen embryos for embryo transfer. Frozen embryo transfer (FET) is becoming more popular because it offers flexibility and often leads to successful pregnancies.

When Should Someone Go Straight to IVF?

In some situations, it may be necessary to proceed straight to IVF treatment without trying other fertility treatments.

1. Severe Male Factor Infertility: When sperm quality is very low, using ICSI with IVF may be the best option.
2. Blocked or Damaged Fallopian Tubes: When you cannot conceive naturally due to problems with your fallopian tubes, IVF can help you overcome these obstacles.
3. Advanced Maternal Age: Women over the age of 35, who have less time to try other treatments, can benefit from IVF because it has a higher success rate.
4. Genetic Concerns: Couples who need to be tested for genetic diseases can choose PGT with IVF as the most reliable method.
5. Previous Failed Treatments: Couples who have not had success with other fertility treatments can opt directly for IVF for better chances of success.

Conclusion

IVF is a very successful procedure in the field of assisted reproductive technology, offering a ray of hope to many couples struggling with infertility. By understanding the goal of IVF, identifying who may need it, considering various treatment factors, and evaluating the benefits, disadvantages, and risks, you can make informed decisions about your fertility journey. 

Always consult the best IVF centre to create the best plan for your specific needs, ensuring the highest possible success rates and support throughout the process.