 Fertility
Treatment
What
Is IVF Treatment?
Considerable progress has been made in fertility treatment. For
most couples a solution can now be found. Infertility affects 15
% of all couples.
To explain what is involved in fertility treatment you should understand
the causes of infertility. First we need to take a look at the steps
that lead to normal pregnancy:
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Fertilisation occurs
with contact between a sperm and an egg or oocyte. The fertilised
oocyte then replicates and becomes a solid ball. It then implants
iitself in the uterus and evolves into a healthy baby.
When, the oocyte and sperm cell are unable to fuse together,
the couple is infertile. This can be caused by problems with
the quality of the sperm or the female reproductive organs.
In 40% of cases both male and female factors cause infertility.
in IVF treatment Both partners need to be examined.
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During the male evaluation a microscopic examination
and analysis of the semen is made. A normal, fertile sperm sample
should be very motile (actively progressively moving, self-propelled)
and normal looking sperm cells in sufficient quantity. If the male
sperm quality appears poor, a more intense physical study of the
male is required. Sometimes it isn't possible to determine the cause
of male infertility. However there are IVFl treatments such as microinjection
of sperm cells (ICSI) to assist in such cases. It is unusual that
insemination with donor sperm is required.
During the female evaluation we first check for anatomical anomalies.
During an examination of the cervix the cervical mucus is tested
(this should be viscous) any signs of infection are detected. The
uterus and its cavity should be normal in shape to enable the embryo
to implant. Radiographs are taken to examine the shape of the uterus
while contrast fluid is injected into the cervix of the uterus.
By doing this it is possible to examine the uterine tubes. Sometimes
the gynaecologist undertakes a hysteroscopy, this is a visual examination
of the internal aspects of the uterine cavity, through the use of
an optical tube.
Where infertility has been prevalent for a number of years the consultant
will carry out a laparoscopic examination particularly if there
are indications of either previous infections, surgery or painful
periods. This examination is carried out under anaesthesia where
an optical fibre is inserted through the umbilical noose. With this
examination it is possible to view the inner aspects of the pelvic
organs. Slightl anatomical abnormalities can be corrected using
this laparoscopic method.
If the female organs are OK, then infertility could be due to hormone
irregularity. This can be determined by analysing a blood sample.
Fertility
Treatment - IVF Technique
IVF Technique
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IVF or "In Vitro Fertilisation"
literally means "outside fertilisation", because
the semen fertilises the oocyte outside the human body.
An oocyte is brought together with a sperm
sample, the fertilised oocyte is re-implanted in the female
uterus.
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The Five Steps of the IVF process
- Stimulation of the Reproductive
Cycle - To increase the chances of having a successful
fertility treatment, the female is stimulated with a combination
of hormones in order to produce more than one oocyte.
- Pick-Up - When
the oocytes have matured, the gynaecologist collects them from
the ovaries.
- Fertilisation
- The oocytes and sperm cells are brought together.
- Returning the Embryos
- The fertilised eggs (embryos) are returned to the uterus. Any
spare embryos are frozen for 5 years enabling the patient to undergo
the much simpler FRET treatment at a future stage should this
IVF treatment fail.
- Control and Results
- Following the IVF treatment the patient will be under the supervision
of her GP. After three or four weeks the results are evaluated
together with her GP.
IVF Treatment can be Demanding
The process of fertilisation starts with the treatment
to stimulate the production of oocytes. Examinations and blood tests
can be quite demanding. During this period you may feel strong emotions,
which can worsen after implantation. Many partners recall this phase
in the treatment as one of their most difficult. Awell-organised
team is in place to support you and guide you through this period.
The Fertility Treatment Team?
IVF treatment is time-consuming and demands expert
skill and knowledge. The IVF team consists of: a gynaecologist,
an andrologist, nurses and counselors, a secretary, biologists,
IVF lab and technicians, a psychologist, social workers, nursing
co-workers of the Department for Obstetrics and lab technicians
of the different laboratories (isotopes, andrology, clinical chemistry
and microbiology).
This excellent highly skilled team is there to guide you, answer
all your questions and to administer a first-rate treatment.
What are your Chances of Pregnancy?
Your chances of pregnancy are 30%. This figure similar
to a normal pregnancy, careful embyo selection and the implantation
of multiple eggs can slightly increase these chances.
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